COUNTRY ROADS!!! -Tips For Americans Driving In The UK (More Narrow Lanes)

Some more UK driving tips. As if driving on the left isn’t bad enough driving on some the UK’s narrow country roads can also seem daunting. Don’t worry, it is isn’t that bad. In this video, we’ll be looking at more ‘Tips For Americans Driving In The UK For The First Time’.
Before the comments about Google Maps taking you on these roads as it may be the most direct route, that is not the case especially when you visit the more remote parts of the UK.
Often that narrow country lane is the ONLY way to get to the little village or town.
If you’ve missed some of our previous UK driving videos:
Driving in the UK Tips Part 1 - • “How Fast?’ Top Tips F...
Driving in the UK Tips Part 2 - • "How Narrow?" - More T...
Driving in the UK Tips Part 3 - • Tips For Americans Dri...
In Britain, many old country roads follow old tracks and boundaries and were in use well before cars.
Some people initially find the high hedgerows a bit disconcerting when driving and can panic a bit when they first encounter an oncoming car. If you take it easy, there’s nothing to be worried about and there are often passing places and people do let you pass.
Also, most roads in the UK are not like this and are much easier to drive.
So when you do visit the UK, make sure you rent a car and explore the beautiful countryside.
‘Country Roads! -Tips For Americans Driving In The UK' - Filmed January 2020
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[@flydriveexplore]

Just to clarify when I said two-lane I meant "Two-Way"

[@chrismaggs]

5:08 That's a a polite way of saying "Beware of some boy racer whose tanking it like a twat to show off to his missus"

[@nickdadon]

You barely met any oncoming traffic, I had a nightmare time yesterday in the Dartmoor area, saw 2 cars scratch each other also. Reversing skills definitely needed.

[@PatlLawson]

You’ve made an important point on speed limits. It’s good to know that max limits in the UK are not expected to be met whereas in Canada it’s more-so the case. Drivers here quickly become impatient with ‘slower’ drivers. We often drive 10-20 kilometres over without penalty.

[@heathstjohn6775]

Interesting.

[@deanolium]

The problem is that in the UK, a lot of drivers (particularly those who know the areas) can get very impatient and annoyed with drivers who are driving slowly to be safe. So you may well get people tailgating you to try and pressure you to speed up. However, try to ignore that bullying as it's better to be slower but safe than to go too fast and either spin out or hit traffic coming out of a blind corner.

[@MrCollindpyle]

From the USA and just wrapped up 4 days of driving in the UK for the first time and this is very true. The limit here really is a limit, not a goal.

[@stuartfitch7093]

These are a very similar kind of roads to where I grew up and have lived almost all my life. You get use to having to find little pull of areas if you meet oan oncoming car. What you have to remember is many of these roads have existed for hundreds of years and at one time only saw horses using them and they have never had any investment or development it into them to the point pedestrians have to walk in the roadway or on the small grass verge because there's no pathways and there's zero lighting so travelling these roads is dangerous at the best of times but I'm winter when it's icy and there's a thick fog and no form of street lighting or road markings make it extremely hazardous and 20mph is often too much under such conditions. I've been on a similar road driving home from work in a thick fog in winter and I couldn't even see the sides of the road and 5mph was literally the maximum speed anyone could do with any degree of safety. This was why, as children, we would often be cut off in winter. It doesn't take much snow to block off these roads and we would spend a few days snowed in and often be without electricity and the only option to survive would be to stay in bed to keep warm.

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, these roads existed well before cars and followed many old boundaries and other obstacles. Where did you grow up?

[@johnjohn6486]

i love driving the country lanes here in lancashire,far more exciting and beautiful than driving on a motorway or freeway,and the views are amazing,i can spend hours driving them.

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, motorways can be very boring. The local roads as you head up the valleys and the Brecon Beacons are great to drive too and no hedges to block the views.

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Look out for farm gates that oprn outward and do not drive too close behind Tractors as the rear wheeels can sometimees trap large sstones that can be thrown off if they increase speed.

[@MrRamyon74]

Considering our country's British heritage I now understand better why we built many of our roads so narrow here in New Zealand...We must love the challenge of a gauntlet.

[@flydriveexplore]

As well as the roads, I didn't mention the car parks in the UK, they are still based on the size of the cars from the 1950s, you have to climb out through the window and they charge £4 an hour for the privilege. Anyway, we were hoping to visit New Zealand, it looks an amazing country (apologies for the narrow roads) hopefully we will get there in the not too distant future.

[@Mehernoshuk]

Thanks for the tips. Lovely countryside.

[@flydriveexplore]

It is lovely

[@bonzo21290]

thank you very much. I'm an American and will be driving in England & Scotland next week. Your videos have made me more confident about the journey!

[@flydriveexplore]

Glad it was helpful. Have a great trip.

[@eviedaniela]

Hey fellow American! I'm venturing off in a couple weeks to do the same trek! Did you make it back in one piece?

[@bonzo21290]

@@eviedaniela sure did... not only that, but I actually loved driving across the pond. I found that after about 20-30 minutes behind the wheel over there, I became surprisingly comfortable. Roundabouts were actually easier than regular 4 way intersections for me as well... Remember, just always say to yourself: KEEP LEFT! And watch that curb 🤣 Have fun!

[@dbee8670]

Thank you for this video. I will be renting a car in Kent in a month. Your tips certainly will help.

[@flydriveexplore]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elizapopperwell2578]

As someone from Devon and that has spent most of my life living there = I thought I knew a bit about country lanes - until I moved to West Wales. I cannot recall any roads (country lanes or otherwise) in Devon that have a drop down one side of them. But in West Wales there are a noticeable number of country lanes (and one or two other roads as well!) that do have a drop down one side of them and it's sometimes a steep drop at that and one does need to take care about staying firmly on the lane or road and not heading down over the drop. So do bear in mind that many lanes/even roads in this part of the country have been built on a slope or even downright side of a hill and take great care driving down them to keep your eyes firmly on the road and not to drive over the edge of them by accident.

[@Lil_lioness]

I live in South Devon and the road between Teighnmouth and torquay has a pretty steep drop to the side. But nothing quite like Wales 😅

[@stevekenilworth]

one thing you forgot to mention regarding National speed limit sign, its a limit but it depends on what you are driving. Single carriageways mph (km/h) Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles 60mph, Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers 50mph, Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 60mph , Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 50mph , buses 50mph, Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales 50mph, Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland 40mph, all what mentioned above are limits in National speed limit for single carriageway. Dual carriageways, Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles 70mph, Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers 60mph, Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 70mph, Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 60mph, buses 60mph, Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) 60mph, Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales 60mph, Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in Scotland 50mph those are for a duel carriageway / divided highway. Motorway so blue sign roads Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles 70mph, Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers 60mph, Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 70mph, Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) 70mph, buses 60mph and Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) 70mph, Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) 70mph 60mph if articulated or towing a trailer, Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) in England and Wales and in Scotland 60mph. that simple National speed limit sign has many different meaning to type road and what you drive or ride and Motorways also ban certain types slow transport like mopeds below a certain cc and anything like cycling / walking. its not as simple of saying that sign means limit is 60mph limit, American comes over might rent a rv, could could be a converted van but if it regards as work van not rv you could be getting speeding tickets as home made rv from van certain regs and things it must have to change use from commercial to rv / motor home and as you see above limits change for those two so easy way to get a speeding ticket and think you doing things right so be aware of what you are driving and know its weight how it registered and that help you know what limits on different types of roads. not so simple, driving a car its very simple 60 on roads with no divide and divided highways or duel/motorway 70mph so only two, another thing to mention a duel 70mph carriageway dose not require two lanes, as long as a divide between the other direction of traffic so that can be grass area between directions but one lane still a 70, it something you got to drive over or fence / barrier makes it a duel not the extra lanes. rest limits are simple they tell you what to do but a limit not a target, the ones without red circle usually on square signs they only advisory more for taller transport but bad weather prob best all reduce speed a bit.

[@roxysimmons]

Hiring a car soon when I come over to the uk. I’m bricking it!

[@flydriveexplore]

Don't worry too much, you'll quickly get used to it

[@gritnix]

"It's a limit, not a target." That's gotta be one of the funniest and sagest phrases ever spoken about driving. :) Just found your videos as we'll be heading to England next May for a trip we were supposed to take in 2020. Thanks so much.

[@flydriveexplore]

Hope you have a good trip.

[@annaharrington3869]

I have a question -- if you're driving on these narrow roads with traffic coming at you , if there's no driveway right there, how do you know which one of you backs up to get to a passing place? Thanks!

[@flydriveexplore]

It's basically down to courtesy. Who's just gone past a nearby passing area so is the closest to reverse. What the other vehicle is, is it a farm vehicle with trailer which can't really back up. You have to work together or no ones going anywhere.

[@stevewilke3752]

What do you do if you meet someone and there is no room to pull over? It looked like there were very long stretches of barely room for one car, let alone two.

[@flydriveexplore]

You back up, depending on who has the closest pull over or if there is something bigger than you coming up the road. It just seems to work.

[@nexus7admintablet385]

I'm leaving tomorrow from Canada to go to Devon and Cornwall for some some of the small villages my Grandparents were from a hundred years ago. I have to admit I'm pretty nervous about these kinds of narrow roads, especially since I'll be driving a rental car which I'm sure will get scratched up. And if someone starts tailgating me I 'll have to use every ounce of self control not to speed up (or get out and have a road rage incident) 😂😂😂

[@flydriveexplore]

You'll be fine. Hope you have a good time 👍

[@nigelheath7048]

Don't worry about it, I live in Devon and have spent over 40 years driving these roads. You've missed the busiest tourist season so most of the drivers will be local and know what they are doing. Main tips, don't drive faster than the distance you can stop, take care going around blind corners and there are lots of them, don't be intimidated by someone behind, if you're feeling pressured pull over where it's safe and wave them past, if it's single track try to notice wide bits where 2 vehicles can pass, if someone reverses for you don't drive close to the front of their car it can be very distracting for them, and most importantly if someone slows, reverses or generally does anything to make life easier a little wave and a smile is compulsory and we will forgive you pretty much anything. Also when we were in Scotland last year we were following a car that had a small Canadian flag in the rear and front windows, they were driving slower than I would but I assumed they were tourists so gave them plenty of room, we actually stopped at a cafe later and got chatting to them. Lastly have a wonderful trip and enjoy your visit to our beautiful county.

[@seconduser1809]

​@@nigelheath7048Thanks very much. The nervousness of the first day quickly evaporated and by the end of a week I felt like a pro - Driving on the left? No problem. Tiny narrow hedgerow roads with pullouts? Bring it on! By the end I was sorry to have to return the car, but with the poor currency exchange rate, it was just too expensive to keep renting for the rest of my trip. I did rent for one day up by Hadrian's wall because there was a bus strike. It was heaven to have a car again, even if for only one day.

[@seconduser1809]

​@@flydriveexploreThank you. You were right. It went fine. First day I was a bit nervous but after that I settled right in and had no problems, even on the narrowest of roads. I hated to return the car I was enjoying it so much!

[@flydriveexplore]

@@seconduser1809 Glad you enjoyed it.

[@philiplancaster2794]

It may just be an illusion due to the filming, but it seems like you were driving quite fast on those one-lane roads. I kept wondering what would happen if you met a car coming the opposite way. Seems like you'd have to stomp on the brakes quite violently. My wife would have a heart attack if I drove those roads that fast! (I haven't been to UK yet. Planning to go in three months and rent a car to travel England, Wales, and Scotland for three weeks--except I'm not driving in London!)

[@flydriveexplore]

I think it's an illusion as a camera gives you a bit of tunnel vision. As you can meet cars quite frequently I'm glad to say I've never hit a car in the last 35 years of driving, (touch wood 🤣)

[@schweizerd6303]

Some of these bends really should have advisory speed signs. In the US/Canada they put up suggested speeds to go around obstacles, this would really help those drivers out that have poorer judgement. They are not an enforceable speed limit as the higher limit still applies, but just a suggestion as to what is safe and appropriate as the speed limit isn't the target for the entire road.

[@deanolium]

Some bends in the UK do, but unfortunately not all. Some bends will have chevrons on which lets you know it's a sharp bend and thus you need to go slowly. However not enough do that.

[@DC3Refom]

It's common sense and also there is slow down sign on the road and road roads signs warning of bends , it's not rocket science.

[@DavidNewmanDr]

It took a while before I realised the advisory speeds are for cars, not motorcycles. Except for really sharp bends you can go faster on a motorcycle.

[@stevekenilworth]

you can get fined for going to fast even if below limit. single track lane one car stopped the van could not stop ended on roof as tried going up bank to avoid car both wight off, he told cops he was not speed he was doing 50mph in a 60mph, was not speeding fine he got it was worse he got careless driving and that 6 point plus and think unlimited fine issued by court and insurance going up by around 40% in cost compared to speeding on average that put insurance up by about 10% and 3 points, key thing cops said was too fast for the road condition allowed. you can go fast on these roads but only when you see far ahead it clear and no junctions / entrances, walkers, cyclists but key thing be slow before you get to a corner so if you need to stop you can easy. more far you can see allows more speed, more closed less you can see slower you need to be. if all did that the roads would be more safe, i do 60 often on single track lanes but roads i know well and certain areas but always slow before a corner so i can stop, first time down a road you take time, really take time after few goes down that road you learn the areas you can make progress and not and hidden hazards

[@lmc3307]

A good idea as you’re approaching blind bends/hills on narrow roads is to beep the horn to alert other drivers to your presence.

[@rugbygirlsdadg]

Don't drive at a speed where you can't stop within the distance you can see.

[@elizapopperwell2578]

The other point is that here in Britain pedestrians walking along a road that doesnt have a pavement are supposed to walk on the side of the road facing oncoming cars. So - we drive on the left and that means that pedestrians are supposed to be walking towards us facing us on the left-hand side of roads without pavements. That's the theory - but the practice is that a lot of pedestrians are idiots and walk along the wrong side of the road and the driver sees the pedestrians back walking along the same side of the road as we are driving!

[@KarlosBarzini]

That UK country need sidewalks and fast. until some tragedy will show up 😂😂 4:07

[@DavidNewmanDr]

Well, we haver pavements everywhere in towns and villages, more than in the USA or Canada, but not on rural roads - although wider ones may have a separate cycle and footpath. Take a look at the map of the National Cycle Network. Vision Zero (0 deaths or serious injuries) programmes have found that it is the speed difference that matters. When cars are driving slowly, you can stop more quickly and if you hit, injuries are less. That is why there are 20 mph limits in many villages in Oxfordshire.

[@gastonbaranda7630]

What happens if an oncoming driver coming the other way what do you do ?

[@flydriveexplore]

If it is something big, like a tractor, you back up. If it is another car, whoever is closest to a pull-in area or some other gap reverses.

[@AppAxis]

Has there been any pressure to push for widening the roads? Is it simply traditional to maintain such narrow country roads? Is it a property ownership issue? #Fly_Drive_Explore #NarrowBritishRoads

[@flydriveexplore]

Some roads have been straightened and widened over the years but many in the country still follow the traditional boundaries or the old path and tracks.

[@elisedavenport5472]

There’s no need. They are fine as they are.

[@LowkiTheHusky]

@@elisedavenport5472 not all of them, the bigger the cars that are being made the more impossible it’s becoming

[@elisedavenport5472]

@@LowkiTheHusky well people will just need to adjust won’t they. I hardly think the government are going to widen country roads. They have more important things to worry about.

[@LowkiTheHusky]

@@elisedavenport5472 dont mean them type roads mean busy roads

[@rugbygirlsdadg]

Hire a small car...

[@keith6400]

Putting 20mph unofficial speed limit signs on officially posted speed limit signs can be irresponsible. In this case 20's on a 60 there is not really a legal defence you are generating for nutters as 60 is the national limit. If you put an unofficial 20mph sign on a 40mph official sign and a nutter comes along at 60mph and gets caught by the police they have a legal argument in court that the speed limit was not properly posted as two figures were shown and therefore cannot be enforced and defaults to the national limit.

[@jdb47games]

Tell that to the judge!😆

[@antonius_006]

These roads are very dangerous !

[@flydriveexplore]

They're not that bad if you take your time.

[@elisedavenport5472]

If you have no common sense. 🙄 these lanes are the only roads surrounding where I live and there have been no accidents in years. They are perfectly safe

[@nigelheath7048]

Britain has the safest roads in Europe and among the safest in the world. Far far safer than the USA. As someone else has commented if you can genuinely drive well instead of thinking you can and simply apply common sense there is no problem.

[@KarlosBarzini]

4:07 very safe uk road 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DavidNewmanDr]

Statistically there are more casualties in towns and on A roads than on country roads, as there are more cars driving too fast for the conditions. UK KZbin dashcam videos are tame compared to the USA or the insanity that is Russia.

[@peterktori9116]

WELL JUST MAKE ALL. COUNTRY LANES. 20’ 30 MILES PER HOUR ONLY . ITS THERE OWN STUPID FAULT . FOR. HAVING. MAXIMUM. 60 MPH.

[@keith6400]

You do not have to travel at the speed limit, even on a 20 or 30 mph road it might not be safe to travel at that speed. If these speed limits were introduced many drivers would think these speeds were safe throughout the sector. You need to think about how far you can see ahead at any given time, whether the road is big enough for two vehicles to pass, and the other might be bigger than yours are pedestrians going to be just around a bend and how soon you can stop.

[@nigelheath7048]

Well I won't be lectured at and called stupid by someone who doesn't know the difference between 'there" and "their" .

[@elisedavenport5472]

Oh get off. Many people manage just fine driving down these lane. He makes it sound worse than it is 🙄

[@deanolium]

It's due to historic reasons. Originally the roads had no speed limit on them, but then towns and villages implemented speed limits on their roads to prevent incidents. So a sign was created to say the speed limit restrictions have ended. Eventually as cars got more powerful and there was a higher risk for accidents, a national speed limit was implemented, and so the 'no speed restrictions' sign got repurposed to mean "national speed limit". The intention however is that drivers should be able to determine what a safe speed for the road is based on the conditions. It would also be incredibly expensive to go through all the roads and set safe speed limits for each stretch; since there's also no political pressure to do so, that's not going to change.

[@DavidNewmanDr]

The national speed limits came in with the oil crisis of the 1970s. We had a motorway speed limit of 55 mph to save petrol.