Driving In The UK For Americans - First Timer Tips And Mountain Views

[@flydriveexplore]

More about driving in the UK for the first time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bprFnpWCadCXobM

[@andyl4776]

Hi Marcus have you done the Dinas powys woodland walk I think it's called salmon leaps we tried it and only saw half of it because it was quiet confusing the map was hard to follow. Cheers Marcus.

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

I like how you put the video together. There were good views of Wales but more importantly I liked seeing how you navigated the roadway and gave an ongoing explanation of what you were doing. It started to seem more normal and less intimidating. Thank you.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks, its surprising how quickly you adjust to driving on the other side. We feel the same when we drive in the rest of Europe or in the US

[@alanbiehn1042]

This series is exactly what I was looking for. It'll be my third trip driving in the UK, but it has been 22 years since the last one. You are a pleasant host and the footage is getting me comfortable with the view from the left side months before I get there! THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS SERIES!

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, glad it was helpful and have a good time when you visit. Cheers 👍

[@stevepither9500]

Marcus, I can confirm that it’s a challenge driving a bus up and down the Rhondda Valley. Keep the videos coming mate 👏🏻

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks for the confirmation. It definitely looks it!

[@jungle6682]

Thank you Marcus. Great Video. Going to Wales next week and looking forward very much. You and your Videos are a blessing!

[@flydriveexplore]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@NurseBarbaraP]

Thank you for another GREAT driving video Marcus! Perfect timing! We are heading from Florida to the UK this afternoon - and will be driving throughout our trip. Your previous driving videos were extremely helpful prior to our first trip last year. 😊

[@flydriveexplore]

Have fun! As you can see, we've had a week of sun, hope it lasts for your visit! 👍

[@NurseBarbaraP]

We have been driving in north Wales for the last few days - and so far so good. I will say that the road signs are a bit more challenging in Wales from my perspective. I appreciate that they have both the Welsh and English…but they have TOO many words/letters for me (the foreign driver 😊). Thank goodness for a great sat nav/google maps in the car! We made it to the top of Yr Wyddfa yesterday! Wales is an amazingly beautiful country - and driving is the best way to get around. Thanks again for all your great tutorials Marcus. Wishing you and Mel many happy travel days!

[@flydriveexplore]

@@NurseBarbaraP We're glad you're having a good time.

[@NatSatFat]

Good Vid again Marcus, Mountains are FAB, I admire the way you always indicate, unlike so much of our drivers in the UK who do not, but I did notice you did not indicate changing lanes from outside to inside at the start of A465. Back to normal, great stuff.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks. Indicating to pull back in - it is not always required to indicate left to move back to the left. I do when on a motorway and it's busy, someone else could be pulling out from the inside.

[@maureencrawford2275]

That waterfall stop was absolutely LOVELY!

[@flydriveexplore]

It is, there are a lot in this area.

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi Marcus awesome live video I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well and so is my cat Benjamin. Have a great weekend see you next video 😊

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks! You too! 👍

[@timothymarsh1760]

Hello from the States. A fun and relaxing ride thru the scenic countryside of Wales. That’s a great way to spend the day. Although I would need some practice to adjust to driving on the left side of the road, especially the roundabouts. Hope you stopped along the way for a pub lunch and a pint. Enjoy your special Mother’s Days outing with Mel. Stay safe and be well.

[@flydriveexplore]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was a great driving day (no traffic, which is increasingly unusual ). Roundabouts are quite easy when you get used to them, it's not as bad as Chevy Chase in National Lampoon European Vacation. Mother's Day in the UK is back in March (no treat for Mel today 🤣)

[@philjiful]

Enjoyed this. In my neck of the woods.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks for watching, it was a nice sunny day (for most of it).

[@ianjames8794]

Nice to see you back on terra firma and back in Wales.

[@flydriveexplore]

We here for most of the month.

[@bugtracker152]

Thanks for a great video! It’s definitely adding some confidence before my upcoming trip to the UK. Sharing roads in a small towns looks a bit tricky but not too bad. Having to find to find parking in some more crowded areas like Edinburgh is more scary. I’ve read the rules but in reality it seems more intricate. There’s a double yellow at the hotel and a small drop off pocket across the street which for some reason is dash painted on top of a double yellow line, hence, dropping off my family with baggage is going to be a challenge.

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, dropping off in cities can be a problem. Sometimes it's best to contact the hotel direct to see if they can help.Often, when dropping off, we ignore the signs although in places like London they have traffic cameras everywhere so not recommended there. Not sure about Edinburgh.

[@ceri64]

My daughter is a bus driver in Notts - Derbyshire. She has similar tight roads. Ohh the stories she has to tell!! We should have been in Porthcawl in two weeks but now have to wait another year again for the fifth year running!! We will get there!!

[@flydriveexplore]

Hats off to bus drivers who drive those roads. Shame you have to wait another year.

[@jaycee330]

The rules for roundabouts in the USA are slightly different, in that, you don't need to indicate going around the roundabout, but only indicate as you past your penultimate exit to leave it. The exception is when you are exiting at the first right then you would indicate before you enter it.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video. I love in mid Wales.

[@flydriveexplore]

Glad you enjoyed it, we did a nice drive through mid Wales up to the North a couple of years ago.

[@NatSatFat]

Vid nothing to do with Mid Wales.

[@marqueswilsonn]

12:55 in America you can fill up and then pay in small towns where everyone knows everyone. Less risk of people driving off without paying. In large cities with name brand gas stations you prepay with cash or swipe your credit/debit card.

[@TwoEyedJack-b4q]

How do you know how much to pay before you've even filled the tank though?

[@jaycee330]

21:45 They used to until the 1950s, but it pretty much was phased out by then.

[@dafyddrhobert2414]

You used wide roads there. Come to mid-Wales and see the typical single-lane roads of Ceredigion it would make a great video. That's where driving becomes entertaining.

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, the roads can be narrow there. We've previously made some videos around our local country lanes and down in Devon mentioning the problems of blindly following the Sat Nav.

[@alcw625]

i always think "left shoulder to curb" and if I miss a roundabout don't panic just go around. I follow the car ahead, rarely are they a lost tourist like me and tend to be in the correct lane. What drives me nuts is the country lanes where you can't see over the hill and the hedges that seem to want to eat my side mirror.

[@flydriveexplore]

Good tips and very true about country lanes.

[@zenzen9131]

Nice video of our local area Marcus :) Were you aware that the road at the top of the Afon valley is the highest A road in Wales ?

[@flydriveexplore]

No I wasn't. Thanks for the info 👍

[@bobp.6337]

Am i correct that when there are two lanes in same direction the slower traffic should stay to the left? In the states there is typically a yellow line separating traffic going in opposite directions. Not so in the UK?

[@flydriveexplore]

Yes, the slower traffic stays left or once you've overtaken the slower traffic, you pull back to the left. You don't stay in the outer lane unless you are passing. All lines on the road or white in colour, they mean the same thing - solid central line (no passing etc)

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

I like your presentation, way better than many of these type of videos. Some info you might find interesting. American tourists rock up a staggering £500,000 ( $700,00) a year in fines when driving just in the south of England in the UK. The total across the whole of the UK by American tourists runs into a millions. Not all American tourists pay the full fine, they just go home and think it's all forgotten, WRONG. A ghost account is set up with the violations for each unpaid fine or violation. When those tourists try to return and hire a car, well good luck with that.

[@flydriveexplore]

Thanks very much for the info, that's a LOT of fines!

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

@@flydriveexplore I think it all comes down to the fact that US Tourist drivers are not told much about the penalties, and the cameras and the speed traps and average speed set ups that are everywhere here in UK. We even have cameras now that look into the front of the vehicle and photograph you while driving to see if you are eating, or drinking, or using a device while driving. One thing that is never told and can be a shock is, To drive a manual vehicle in UK you MUST have the correct driving license. get caught driving a manual on an auto license and you can go to prison, especially if involved in an accident.

[@Chris_Carini]

The 20mph limit in urban areas is popular throughout the UK, not just Wales, as is 30kph limit in many other countries. there is so much misinformation about this subject.

[@flydriveexplore]

We will see what happens after the September review.

[@Chris_Carini]

@@flydriveexplore some will revert to 30mph, not a difficult prediction. When you think about it, even in 30mph limited areas the average speed through the zone is about 14mph so it really doesn't matter. (Obviously, idiots with licenses will exceed all limits but such is life).

[@bigglesace1626]

I wouldn't say it's 'popular' - it's certainly more widespread than it used to be. I can understand lower limits outside schools, hospitals, care homes etc, but elsewhere, really? In my village we now have a 20 mph limit. So even on a quiet Sunday, or deserted night time we are stuck with 20 mph, whereas in the nearby town we can drive up to 30 mph on a busy day, full of pedestrians, buses embarking passengers and lots of other hazards. Bonkers.

[@Chris_Carini]

@@bigglesace1626 I agree, mostly, but data is being collected ahead of the review. People in urban areas are seeing benefits. Remember the speed limit is not a target and the average speed through urban areas is about 14mph. Going as fast as possible, in some parts, does not reduce travel time by any significant amount so why risk it? As ever the problem is the minority of irresponsible idiots but such is life.

[@agent0066]

Those who shout the loudest are the ones who are heard. Their voices will drown out the quiet acceptance of the majority.