Advice on Driving on the "WRONG" side of the Road in the UK & Ireland

[@deleriousfishman1]

Yeah, it's been said below but just to reiterate, if any emergency vehicle has their blue lights activated you MUST pull over, regardless of whether their sirens are on or not. Most only activate their sirens if you're failing to move over for their lights. No lights = no emergency so no driver action required. Lights = emergency, legal requirement to move over. Lights and sirens = No difference from just lights. Hope that helps 👍

[@DavidNewmanDr]

And by that we mean flashing lights. Some may have extra lights on all the time. Also, ambulances may be carrying patients who would suffer from the noise of a siren.

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Careful you don't knock over any cyclists, you get diplomatic immunity 😕

[@QWERTYOP80]

Andrew Johnston “Special relationship”...

[@tessat338]

Only if you had it in the first place. It doesn't work retroactively.

[@peterdarnell9183]

Not funny

[@howardchambers9679]

​@@peterdarnell9183wasn't meant to be funny.

[@iriscollins7583]

It was a Motorbike not a cycle.

[@muncus1969]

Great video, but if you ever get flustered, never be afraid to find somewhere safe to pull over and take a few moments to calm down and recompose yourself.

[@Marsand100]

Great advice!!

[@rogueuniversities6866]

Indeed. Petrol stations (if they have no parking spaces, just park near the manual car washing hoses), service stations off motorways, shopping courts off dual carriageways, parking spaces on dual carriageways - though it can be hard to get back on after if it's a high speed carriageway, sometimes side streets.

[@paulfisher6069]

I pulled over daily, letting the faster cars get ahead so I didn't have to make snap judgments while holding up traffic.

[@davidjones332]

A point not mentioned is that on motorways you should keep left unless overtaking. Don't go cruising down the middle lane because overtaking on the left is not permitted, unlike the US where passing both sides is common.

[@MetalisMental]

This has now changed and undertaking is no longer illegal though it is advised against in the highway code.

[@jparker5448]

I always have thought the US car rental companies should offer closed course driving lessons to folks traveling to the UK, on a course with roundabouts and UK road signage, using cars typically of the UK rental market. Would give drivers some confidence, lock them into using the rental company and possibly reduce accidents when in the UK.

[@fishyface3940]

I would add, to not necessarily hire the car at the airport depending on where you're going especially if you're nervous and want to do some rural driving til you get used to it. If you want to do South Wales and the Cotswolds you can get trains in good time to Bristol/Bath area and hire there. Same with if you want to go to Scotland. Trains to Scotland are beautiful historic routes and you can get to Edinburgh in 4 hours from London on the train have a couple of days in city and then hire there too.

[@jackolantern7342]

We've taken the train plus a local bus to get to Stonehenge from London. Did the same for visiting the Cotswolds on a wee guided walking tour (first time there). Also, booked a train from London to Edinburgh. Man, that first class ticket was money well-spent. A civilized way for the 4 of us to travel. It's a pity North America abandoned passenger rail.

[@schex9]

@@jackolantern7342 North America is a continent, not a country, and it is MUCH, MUCH larger than the UK. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

[@jackolantern7342]

@@schex9 Er ...being from there I already know this. I didn't feel like separating US or Canada (since their transportation mindset is similar) so I said "North America". Regardless, that's not the comparison I am implying here. What I am getting at is the relative ease of inter-city movement using rail. That's the scale I am referring to -not trying to crisscross the whole bloody continent or country.

[@schex9]

​@@jackolantern7342 Er... being from the US, I already know this. I have also traveled in Canada and parts of Europe. Most of the Canadian population lives within 20 minutes by car of the US-Canadian border because the weather north of that border is mostly incompatible with farming and sustainable year-round living. The US state of Texas compares reasonably well in size with the continent of Europe. If all of the major US cities, and by extension, most of the population, lived in a space the size of Europe, there WOULD be trains between cities because the train rides would be shorter and the usage would be greater because you'd have more people desiring to use the transport. Our whole country is the size it is simply because that's how it was expanded over the years. By the way, there IS ease of inter-city movement where population density is high, e.g. the northeast coast states of the New England region. I've taken trains between towns in upstate NY and NYC and between DC and towns in Virginia. The key is having dedicated rails for passenger trains and people living in the area. Dedicated rails are not economical in the rest of the country either in the area near the cities (expensive to acquire land) or in rural areas (long distances to cover). Another key difference is that the US was able to build roads AFTER the invention of the car and were not constrained by fences along roads, narrow bridges, etc. Freigh rail and roads also filled the best routes, crowding out a passenger rail option. This is our whole [] country. P.S. I am an engineer, so I am well-versed in the challenges of the economics of projects.

[@joshmarsh2532]

@@schex9 Texas is slightly larger than France. Europe is slightly larger than the contiguous United States

[@NordiskSeger]

As a Swede who have been to Great Britain over 20 times and Ireland three times (6-7 of them while driving there), I would never get to see all those beautiful places outside the big cities if I hadn't been driving there. Yes, the first time, it's terrifying for the first few hours (I remember stalling at one of the roundabouts at Gatwick airport) but you will get used to it quite soon. But, the roads are still quite narrow in many places (even for Nordic standards), especially in the countryside and small towns.

[@paul_barton]

Turning on red is not permitted in the UK. As a Brit this has caught me out when driving in the US as I would sit at red lights when I could turn! However sometimes then is a green filter light pointing in the direction of travel, which when lit, replaces the main red light allowing you to turn in that direction. I believe the same applies in Ireland.

[@rogueuniversities6866]

The filter light makes much more sense. The right turn on red rule is nuts, because, unlike with a green filter light, the opposing traffic's (or crossing traffic's) lights will be on green. And some states have no right turn on red rules.

[@marcoscasado8698]

It's permitted man. Turning right in a T junction before a crossing walk, there's always a red light but that red light isn't for you, is for the people coming from the left.

[@bruffmeister1]

Love your videos but have to correct you on 1 point. It is not the norm that the emergency services have there blue lights on, only when they are responding to an emergency. On roundabouts always give priority to the vehicles coming from your right.

[@susanhutchinson5305]

As an American living in Ireland for 17 years, I would say be careful at the round a bouts! Always go clockwise and always yield to the car on the right.

[@peterpain6625]

Also: Learn all the cars buttons/blinkers/wipers on the rental parking lot when you pick up the car. Better to know before rather than looking weird when your wipers turn on when you want to turn ;)

[@bfun4615]

That is a very common thing with the wipers and turn signal. I don't know how many times I turned on my wipers instead of turn signal.

[@Marsand100]

Also a reminder...you can NOT go through any red light at all. Ever. Unlike when we were in Florida and you could turn on a red.

[@brunoschenkman8951]

Back in the day my buddies and I went to Ireland. Finding an automatic was tough but we found one. We also lost our left side side mirror to a stone wall. The roads are often super narrow. But it wasn't as scary as driving in Paris.

[@valenesco45]

Medieval towns always have narrow streets, it was a tactical defense to push away the advancing enemies.

[@theblondeone8426]

man we got on such a narrow midevil st in France we just quit and parked the car and walked our way to the hotel 😂😂😂

[@annascarpallini2461]

I've driven in Paris...did a Clark Griswold (look kids, Big Ben) around Arc de Triomphe. City driving doesnt bother me as i frequently drive Baltimore/Philly/NJ/NYC. Im more nervous about driving on left side of road; or more precisely REMEMBERING to STAY on left side. I drove countryside of Normandy so narrow streets I'm familiar but can see myself losing a side mirror when I go to Scotland next year.

[@ekcs3941]

I’m scared to drive in the UK And I’m from the UK 😂

[@ATrainTravels]

Southeast Asia is much worse!

[@ekcs3941]

A-Train Travels haha I’m sure!!

[@ramseylafosse5181]

Emergency vehicles only have their lights on if they’re going to a call; they won’t be driving around casually with the blues on Apart from that, great video!

[@Nynke_K]

Yes! If you see the lights and hear the sirens, just give them space so they can get to their emergency.

[@rogueuniversities6866]

Some of them will if they want to get through traffic, and then idiotically wonder why people start ignoring them. Saw it recently - ambulance lit up lights and sirens, got through traffic, switched them off, then did it again further up the road.

[@Alan-ln3ls]

@@rogueuniversities6866 I won't say that doesn't ever happen, but most often it's because they have been 'stood down' before they reached the emergency (e.g. somebody else got there first and cancelled further assistance).

[@joeswitajewski130]

Omg. We have sidewalks in the states that are wider than roads in Ireland. .

[@Hundredakerwood439]

I think you must be trying to wind up your UK subscribers. Ain't no "wrong" side to us

[@jocelynwolters293]

But dear, that's why he put it in quotation marks. 😉

[@woltersworld]

Oh, i thought it would be a fun title. Notice that i say it's NOT the wrong side of the road in the first like 30 seconds :) gosh darn clickbait ;)

[@sdwill66]

We went to the States in November. Drove on the Right after a 30 hour trip from Australia. Not ideal conditions, dark, car fogging up, getting lost. We decided the next day that my wife was a better driver and I was a better navigator. No problems after that except for the 4-way stop signs...and turn right on red. Can only do equivalent of that at home if there's a sign saying left on red permitted after stopping. Fortunately, we found American drivers to be fairly forgiving and no one honked us in our confused state.

[@knucklehoagies]

The US is still big on Four Way Stops. Most Americans get really confused with roundabouts. As for right turn on red, in the US, it's pretty much a universal rule that you can always turn right on red unless it says otherwise. As long as you stop before you turn though. Many states, cops can get nitpicky about that.... forgiveness also depends on the state. Most drivers will never honk at you in the south or in California.... in the Northeastern cities like NYC, you can expect alot of honking and shouting if you sit at a red light when you could freely turn.

[@rmknicks]

@@knucklehoagies But NYC is the opposite. There are never rights on red unless there is a sign saying its ok to do so.

[@tessat338]

I remember when the law first came out back in the 70s, there were all these add campaigns, "There's a new law in Virginia! Right turn on Red after Stop!" I can still remember the tune!

[@yodorob]

@@knucklehoagies Roundabouts are as much of a norm in New England (or at least parts of it) as 4-way stop signs.

[@gerardflynn3899]

Turning right on a Red light in Ireland will get you a ticket. It is a breach of the Rules of the Road.

[@Camerongalexander]

If only Anne Sacoolas has seen this

[@michaelcunningham9248]

Hi Mark. One thing to note on speed limits on the (island of) Ireland. In the (Republic of) Ireland the distances/speed limits on road signs an are in kilometres/kilometres per hour. In Northern Ireland (as in the rest of the UK) they're in miles/miles per hour. Ditto for the readings on a car's speedometer. So if you pick up a car in Belfast it will show speeds in mph to match the road signs; BUT when you then (seamlessly) cross the boarder to the south, the 120 motorway speed limit is is kph (not mph!)

[@Marsand100]

Good point!

[@maryellenalbin1603]

Just got back from a trip to the west of Ireland. This video was a huge help in preparing for the roundabouts. You're right, you get used to driving on the other side of the road quickly enough. Thanks!!

[@albertwarren641]

That plunger to go into reverse isn't in every car.

[@jj-or2jn]

True.

[@toddavis8151]

It’s mainly on cars with 6 gears

[@domi4307]

some require you to put pressure putting it in reverse, others need the stick to put pushed down, theres a lot of options, just mess with the stick

[@ralphturner3798]

When you rent a car, ask the rental people how to put the car into reverse.

[@Nynke_K]

Good idea, especially as the plunger handle thing is not quite universal!

[@colinmacinnes7978]

I can't tell if you're outrageously dedicated or just crazy standing out in the rain to make this video. Great to see Jocelyn helping you out with a few explanation moments. As always, your info is spot on!

[@robertriedling6723]

Another word of advice about finding reverse gear: my little VW Polo requires you to push down on the gear knob to put the car into reverse - a variation on pulling up the plunger as you mentioned. Thanks for the great video!

[@wanderingtraveler1233]

As soon as i looked at the background of where you filmed this, I immediately recognized where you were at. In the background is my go to cafe, Regency Cafe, for a full English breakfast at least once every time I'm in London. You won't find many tourists and the line can be long.

[@eeeecccc]

Top 3 really tough cities to drive a stick shift: 1. La Paz, Bolivia 2. San Francisco, CA 3. Lisbon, Portugal

[@peterpain6625]

Athens, Greece. Still got living nightmares thinking back **shudders** ;)

[@Leo31291]

Madeira, Portugal 😓

[@eeeecccc]

@@Leo31291 I love that place, but yes, even scarier than the landing.

[@yodorob]

I would add Pittsburgh to the list - such a hilly, even mountainous city.

[@SnabbKassa]

It would be the right side if not for Napoleon

[@tea_and_crumpets6919]

Not bad advices, but the GPS thing isn’t really true. Of course don’t use google maps for navigation, it’s rubbish, but download offline GPS app like Sygic and you are covered everywhere you go for your lifetime for pretty much the rental price of a GPS from a car rental. Also roundabouts are everywhere in Europe and they differ slightly in some countries, so be aware of that. And in many cars you actually have to push the gear lever down instead of pulling up the plunger, these things vary a lot by brand and by country 😀

[@oliverstemp9132]

I live in the UK, this stuff is all accurate, if a bit depressing, with our expensive petrol and small cars. The only thing is most with Car Park Ticket Machines you just put money in and you don't have to remember numberplates

[@valenesco45]

Is the overtake lane positioned on the left like the left-hand drive?

[@paultipton743]

@@valenesco45 on the right if a dual carriageway( 2 lanes traffic going same direction) or middle and right hand lane if a motorway, on 2 way roads( single carriageway) you can overtake on the right as long as the centre white line next to you is broken and not solid

[@bbbf09]

Electric car for me for two years now - Have no idea what petrol costs these days. I imagine it's cheap because of covid19.

[@valenesco45]

@@paultipton743 So basically it's specular in all aspects. It looked way more complicated in my mind than it actually is, but still feels wierd to me 😅 as I never experienced this driving.

[@paultipton743]

@@valenesco45 as long as you don't overtake over a solid white line you'll be ok,solid white line overtaking is illegal. Middle and right hand lanes on motorways are for overtaking only in the uk and you should get back in the left, I haven't driven on the right so I guess it's just opposite

[@OllieV__nl]

When my mom was young, she spent half a year in Australia. Driving went flawless - as you said, it you're used to it pretty quickly. But the reverse is also something to watch out for. Back home, the first roundabout she faced, she kinda blacked out because she completely didn't know what to do.

[@nj472]

Groninger?

[@pttmn-zm9bi]

oh ... and an after thought DO NOT refer to it as the "wrong" side ... its just opposite ...

[@jocelynwolters293]

He put wrong in quotations for just that reason.

[@pttmn-zm9bi]

@@jocelynwolters293 I am a yank living it small town Ireland for about 18 years ... it drives (no pun intended) the locals crazy on par with "where are the leprechauns?"... by the way Marks tips regarding round-abouts were spot on, that does confuse the tourists ... be well all ... cheers

[@SgtSteel1]

They do NOT have the lights on all the time, they are called emergency lights for a reason.

[@hittingtax2670]

Is the 12345R pattern on stick shifts left to right or right to left, or does it vary?

[@barrybambmessagedeletedbyy7467]

First gear location doesn't change. The manufacturers just flip the dash and a couple minor components.

[@barrybambmessagedeletedbyy7467]

@@hittingtax2670 same as U.S.

[@ChrisHazz]

Driving is so much easier for us Brits visiting the US than the other way round, I bet the manual cars, tiny roads and roundabouts are a nightmare. When I come back after a US road trip I stall from the airport every time forgetting it's no longer an automatic 🙂

[@gerardflynn7382]

That is because when you return home you are driving a real car.

[@adi91216]

This is very true! I rented a car in LA and i got used to it in just under 30 mins. The roads are huge, wide and the straight (mostly). Stopping at the stop sign was a bit hilarious for me, esp when there were no cars in any direction, but I got used to it.

[@Marsand100]

Using manual/ stick shift requires using both feet. Clutch might take some getting used to Do practice before your holiday. When I drive in America after a few miles I find the automatic a breeze.

[@davidslee1085]

Emergency services do NOT have their lights on all the time.

[@stevestrange2004]

We dont drive on the wrong side, the rest of the world drives on the wrong side. Roundabouts, you need to visit the " magic roundabout" in Swindon!!

[@migsterman67]

Steve Strange That one is just plain bonkers!

[@HashiriyaR32]

2:30 Disengaging the reverse lockout differs from car to car. Yes, the Ford you rented has a reverse lockout that is disengaged by pulling up on the collar on the lever, but quick on-the-spot research may be needed for other cars that use a different type of reverse lockout, such as...... 1. Push down on shift lever, and while held down, move to reverse. Most commonly used on Volkswagen/Audi Group vehicles. 2. Push lever towards reverse, then push harder to overcome resistance. Examples being most BMWs, and the 2013-2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

[@pianocrisante90]

In Australia it’s quite the opposite. When you rent a car most likely you are going to get one with automatic transmission, and we also drive on the left here. 01:58. Speaking of Australia is there any chance you might be able to do a video?

[@peterpain6625]

Praise the heavens for automatic. Got to australia after 30h on 2 planes in total zombie mode and had still 200km to drive to get to my prebooked hotel (yes, i am that cheap ;)). With left handed stick shift i'd probably had it half way and would have either walked or sleept in sideroad ;)

[@Isobel31Swan]

Getting tour car into reverse varies with each car. Manual is the only way to drive.

[@davedublin1]

Note about Republic of Ireland (RoI). RoI runs on kilometres, not miles. UK/Northern Ireland runs on miles. Have to keep an eye on this especially if driving say Dublin to Belfast. RoI lights do not have that red-Red/amber-green. That's a UK thing

[@Early2000sPs2games]

Best to try national express a coach company or europcar a rental car hire all-over europe

[@afernick1]

Nice content, thanks. Parking could also be paid by phone on an app therefore eliminating the use of coins.

[@generatorjohn4537]

I traveled to Scotland in 2007. Rented a car in the city of Edinburgh. I was nervous about driving on the left side of the road but once I got behind the wheel and followed the car in front of me I was fine. For me the country roads are the most challenging. They are narrow and the speed limits are quite high compared to the United States for such a narrow width. Plus very curvey. I did reserve an automatic transmission though, made it easier. Didn't want to have to shift with my left hand and deal with the sudden change of driving on the opposite side of the road too. Thanks

[@PCFDD]

If you're going straight at a roundabout in Ireland you should be in the left lane, unless it says otherwise.

[@iPhoneProymas]

i could never drive a manual car with my left hand, shifting gears with the left hand id probably mess the transmission

[@annascarpallini2461]

Thank you for tips. Just got back from Iceland and your Iceland video helpful. I'm in process of planning trip to Scotland in Spring. I always travel solo. Always rent car. Never nervous before now because concerned about left driving/steering wheel on right. I'm renting auto transmission so also don't need get used to shifting with left hand. So very nervous about the learning curve for driving on left.....

[@Chillmax]

Great video. Only error, the police etc, do not have their light on all the time, 100% they don't ;-).

[@marsgal42]

The first time I drove on the left I asked the car rental guy at Gatwick if he had any words of advice and he said not really, just be careful. I always have to think carefully about what lane to turn in to at intersections. This is more of an issue in Australia and New Zealand with lots of wide streets.

[@snakeinthegarden1146]

Just to be clear, everywhere in Europe is metric bar UK. In Republic of Ireland it's Km on Google maps and on road signs, but northern Ireland is miles on Google maps and road signs. It can be confusing if you're driving around the border areas of ireland as it can change like 10 times in 30 minutes. If you do use Google maps, I usually download my route on my phone before I leave as signal definitely drops for a few mins in very rural areas, but If you miss a turn it won't be able to redirect. When that happens You just gotta drive in some direction til you get signal and can reconnect, don't worry, in rural areas there's a million narrow side roads that looks like farmer track roads but are perfectly fine, so if you have idea of general direction you'll find your back to civilisation eventually. Also, In the west of Ireland, we generally give Dublin registration plates with current year e.g. 20-D-1234 a wide berth as it's a tourist so don't worry if your car cuts out at a light, most people are nice and won't beep at you etc. Don't let some kid tailgating bully you into driving fast, it's common to tailgate but let them drive dangerously, don't you do so!

[@jonnypechstein]

Whenever we drive through England with our continental-european car, the right seat becomes the "seat of terror"! Massive fun for everyone who's not in it!

[@jocelynwolters293]

I can't imagine driving a continental car on the opposite side of the road!

[@jonlong42]

I know this sounds bizzare, but I'm from Britain, but when I hire a car abroad, driving on right just seems more "natural". Anybody else feel the same?? Ps the cafe behind you was used in a film called layer cake 👍

[@mikesaunders4775]

Not my brother, he knocks off somebody's wing mirror every time he crosses the channel.

[@blotski]

I've driven a lot abroad and am totally used to driving on the right so it doesn't bother me. The only thing that feels weird to me is changing from second to third. Cupping the right hand to face away from me and pushing up always feels odd. Maybe I've got something wrong with my shoulder or something.

[@bazra19]

Can you instruct All people from the U.S.A. to walk on the left when in the underground? Going up and down stairs, stay on the left side at all times IF you can get used to walking on the left in the underground, then you are halfway there; nothing pisses off an Englishman more than foreigners, who are used to driving on the right, using the right instead of the LEFT. LONDON is the worst place for this.

[@anthonyshephard6073]

I’ve watched loads of utube videos from Americans about driving in Europe (UK plus European Union) and roundabouts ( which are, in fact, very common throughout Europe). Almost always they are full of praise for our European roads, roundabouts, police and emergency services, and our respect for other road users, typical comments being along the lines “Its a pity its not like this back home in the US.” So, if you want a good relaxing holiday, fly over the pond and rent a car or camper here.😊

[@knucklehoagies]

Learning to drive in "left side of the road" countries is pretty easy.... basically everything is reversed. Right-Turn Yields instead of Left-Turn Yields. Round-a-bouts go clockwise instead of counterclockwise, etc..... but then again, Americans haven't really adapted well to round-a-bouts yet since we're still primarily a "Four way stop" country.

[@LeoFtravels]

Great video, great tips, as always. Thanks for sharing!

[@georgelowles5077]

Since this was made the availablability of automatic cars has increased. I’ve driven autos for thirty years and find driving in cities easier. Also we hired a car in Vienna some time ago, make sure you inspect it before you drive off, I did and found damage that hadn’t been reported.I got it noted down but missed the mirror cover on the door held on with chewing gum…yes chewing gum. Lost the cover driving through to Slovakia. I was picking the car up at 11 o’clock at night so my first experience of driving on the right was in the pouring rain and darkness. It took me about 20 minutes to get comfortable but then I came to a roundabout, my brain was telling me one thing but I needed to do the opposite. After a day or two the guy whose house we were staying with asked had I driven on the right before because his friends that come over he gets very nervous when in the car with them so much so that he drives them around. I had researched the rules of the road for where we going so I knew what the road signs meant. In fact I was more relaxed driving there. We did over 2000 miles and next year when we go again we’ll probably do more exploring.

[@garywallace8521]

Not quite correct that police and fire have their lights on all the time. Emergency vehicles will display blue lights when on an emergency only. Activation of the sirens to warn that coming through normally in built up areas or heavy traffic.

[@qbarnes1893]

Some different narrative.. Here in the UK, our emergency vehicles do not have their blue flashing lights on all the time, they only activate them in response to an emergency, their siren is an audible warning and only used to avert others of their presence. If your driving and a police vehicle is behind you, then uses blue lights whilst following, it’s for you...😫 if that happens your to pull over at the nearest safest place, Don’t pull over directly... Parking in cities, towns and villages, apart from car parks, is invariably more expensive if you have to pay, if you don’t have to pay for street parking beware of ‘controlled zones’ to park in these streets you have to have a residents permit, ie, you have to live in that street. A lot of cities in the UK have a park and ride system, you park in the car park and a bus takes you into the city, a lot cheaper and much less stressful. European roads are smaller than the US ones, that’s true, but the UK ones are no more dangerous than any others. If your not licensed to drive a manual car, DONT, one, you’ll not be able to rent it and two you’ll end up with either an accident or a very big bill for repair costs for destroying the cars gearbox, clutch and probably engine too....

[@bethearl8686]

I don't know why everyone doesn't do this. When I travel to Australia, NZ or Brit'n I put a STUDENT DRIVER magnetic bumper sticker on my car. They come 3 for $7 on Amazon. It's a genius hack. Everyone gives you a wide berth.

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

Many rural roads don't actually have a "side", they're so narrow you will be driving in the middle. There's no jaywalking laws so pedestrians could be anywhere (and have the right of way).

[@Jawst]

BTW diesel in the UK is about $2.50+ per litre at the moment (August 2022)

[@RattlerNxt]

I am just about to pick up my rental and hadn’t thought my insurance wouldn’t cover. Well it doesn’t. So I can still get the insurance from the rental company. Good save

[@Nick-Gye]

As an Australian who has driven manual cars in Europe and in Brazil I can say that there are of course the same issues. The changing of the gears presents no problems, thank the motoring god that the pedals are in the same position. What did and does cause me trouble from time to time is roundabouts. You gotta concentrate more than at home for sure. And the ‘slow’ lane here is the passing or fast lane in Europe and vice-versa, that often caught me out

[@maylee7677]

Not a fan of SIXT for car rental. They nickel and dime you for cheap, poorly maintained vehicles. We were stuck in Inverness with incorrect directions, unable to return the vehicle.

[@sdwill66]

If you want to see the British countryside by car and you don't intend going to London try flying into Birmingham instead. You're in the middle of England, close to the Cotswolds and only a couple of hours from Wales. Less hassle than Heathrow as well.

[@ken_wine]

By far, the most informative video on tips for driving. I remembered every one and everyone cam true! Even when the significant other swears they're fine driving and gets in a fender bender at the end of day 1. That Peugeot did not have a chance! Wheels gave way while skidding on stones on a back farm rd in the cotswolds. And it was only at 15 mph. Either way, those rds are terrifying in the cotswolds!!! Thanks for the tips though, they were perfect. Next day new car, I drove, white knuckle left hand stick was weird...but all went well. Go figure. Driving can cause divorce, beware.

[@DavidNewmanDr]

The roads in the Cotswolds are wonderful - for motorcycles (4 wheels are too many). Except for the potholes.

[@jdb47games]

2:20 The plunger sometimes works upwards, sometimes downwards. The upwards ones sometimes have a collar that you lift. Sometimes reverse has no plunger at all. Be aware of that if it is selected top left, as you can accidentally engage it when trying to select first gear.

[@Isobel31Swan]

National Lampoon's European Vacation. Lol

[@craigthomas7921]

For everyone worried about roundabouts, do a google image search for 'Swindon Magic Roundabout' haha

[@jusztinnemeti6380]

International drivers licenses are a AAA scam. It's likely the reason they aren't needed or recognized by most agencies is because they aren't an official government document. I've traveled to many countries in Europe including the UK. When renting a car they usually just require your US license, passport and form of payment.

[@ruk2023--]

Fuel is charged by the litre here but everyone talks about miles per gallon or how many gallons they filled up.

[@michaelwoomer5084]

Is the clutch still at your left foot? I hope so!

[@Stevesixty7]

Yes 😁

[@leskirk7347]

A few things I learned on trips to New Zealand. My mantras: "easy left, hard right" "right foot over the (center) line" "look both ways" when a pedestrian crossing a street. Believe it or not, after a week or two of driving on the left you may find it confusing when you return home! U-turns got me on the wrong side of the road more than once - think about it when you turn around. New Zealand is really friendly to those unfamiliar to driving on the left - lots of road markings reminding you to keep left and arrows painted on the road.

[@jca111]

Correction for you: At a roundabout, going straight on, you should take the left most lane, unless indicated otherwise by paint on the road. You can take the second lane if busy (again, unless indicated otherwise)

[@bexinthebox]

Funny as the reverse of this is so scary for a Brit. The idea of driving in America terrifies me! The roads are too big and intimidating, I couldn’t drive an automatic and would feel like I had less control of the car. Being on the wrong side of the road and which lanes to be in etc and the right turn thing I’ve only heard about this today but have no desire to put into real life practice!

[@alanwood4968]

You drive on the wrong side of the road. We like our woman on the left side of use so that our right hand is free which in most people is the stronger hand an arm. It is simple chivalry which is also carried out on the walking pavement.

[@dickiegreenleaf750]

Thanks for this video. I like your style of teaching.

[@jace2wheel762]

I would ask why worry about extra insurance or maybe clipping a building or another car? The locals sure as hell don't lol They're straight up dangerous sometimes

[@cyclometre]

To drive on the opposite side of the road you drive on at home, just keep your body on the centre of the lane. Easy!

[@aljones4719]

Driving on the left is NOT wrong. It is those that drive on the right who are wrong. Observe the law.

[@pclady95]

Thank God I drive a stick (every day)!!!! I'll be renting a car on 9/16,

[@n8nate]

At 20 seconds in, that's Llanfoist bridge in my town!!

[@robertfoulkes1832]

Driving in London and other big cities in the UK you now also have to be aware of LEZs - Low Emission Zones.

[@mookrage]

The Regency cafe behind you is one of the best traditional cafes in ldn. I hope you went in

[@tjp353]

So long as you remember that left is right and right is wrong, you should be ok.

[@L0VTX_H8CA]

I wish they did the traffic light thing here for the few of us that still drive stick shift trucks. We have to watch all the other lights or be a dick to traffic behind us.

[@DerekTJ]

Relate your body to the road rather than the car; keep your left elbow in the centre of the lane, or point your right elbow down towards the middle of the road.

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

The biggest issue for me is the steering wheel on the right. That kinda freaks me out.

[@Isobel31Swan]

The left handside IS the correct side.

[@EinkOLED]

It isn't. I found that out when I drove a hire car in the USA.

[@Isobel31Swan]

@@EinkOLED lol. Rule Britannia.

[@fionafiona1146]

I prefer it but having gotten my license in Germany, roundabouts on motorways access are the bigger improvement.

[@jca111]

Not sure what you mean that police etc always have their lights on? They don't. If they have their lights on, you must move over if you are in the way.

[@MrJonsied]

Regecny Cafe! You picked a great location for the vid.

[@jmckeev765]

alot of the roads in the countryside were made for horses and horse & cart, that's why they're narrow. many of them havn't been modernised

[@esconis5304]

I'm going to the US, can't wait to drive on the "wrong" side over there!

[@frednich9603]

I love this video! I had seen it before, but it hits different now that we are actually planning a trip to Ireland. I have to say the thing that intimates me the most is the videos I see of area like Dingle, where there are winding one lane roads with traffic going both ways. I look at those and go "you've got to be KIDDING ME"

[@suenicholls8620]

Emergency vehicles with blue flashing lights means they are in a hurry and need to get past so let them through.

[@Escape-the-Chaos]

I have a question. Who is the person In Your videos from 10 years ago teaching German ?

[@AllieThePrettyGator]

Traffic lights in the london area have a White outline

[@ralfblumenschein]

Driving on the left side will allways be the side, that is not right 🙄