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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@SteveMcIlhennie]

Overtaking on the left is permitted in UK. The Highway Code advises you to not do it.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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).

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@PCFDD]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@robertmcmullen5835]

Thanks!

[@Jawst]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@paulfisher6069]

Just got back from the UK yesterday. Went from York, through Northumberland, to the Lake District, and Yorkshire Dales. Driving was not bad on the left, and I could handle the roundabouts like a pro after watching a couple of hours of videos on how to drive the roundabouts. The biggest problem I had was the size of the road. Often there is two-way traffic on roads that are just wide enough for one. The Brits know how to stop, squeeze close to the edge, and pass, but it was a terror for me. Still, we saw a lot of Britain that we otherwise could not have because we drove. Worth it!

[@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.

[@glenncamp733]

The best advice I have received, and in turn given, "The Centre Line is your friend". Most accidents I have seen or had, have to do with the tires and mirrors on the left side of the car. If, when driving, you stay close to the center line, that is less likely to happen. The confusion with the turn signals and the windshield wipers sometimes take a few days to sort out.

[@MojoEU]

NOT good advice on a UK motorway. PLEASE do not do this. Left hand lane is for cruising. The middle and outside lanes are for overtaking only. You’ll get beeped, plus it’s dangerous (and infuriating). Take a look at the UK highway code. Good luck!

[@glenncamp733]

Matt Orton I agree on the motorway. My advice is for local roads and in town. It is very clear to me that the outside lanes on motorways are for slower traffic everywhere.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Isobel31Swan]

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

[@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.

[@offthebeatenpathadventures1348]

In essence, bring buddies that love driving. That way we can all take turns and view this beautiful country. Great advice

[@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!

[@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)

[@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

[@timmmahhhh]

Any Americans who want to practice on roundabouts in the USA go to Indianapolis and spend a few days driving in the north suburb of Carmel. Their mayor loves them and they have the most in the US, up to about 146 last count and growing. As a result they are becoming more common Indiana with the east side of Valparaiso having a major one and several around South Bend.

[@jgrant1162]

Hi from the U.K Some good advice here, but I still if you used to an automatic, rent this when visiting the UK. Also two situations that you need to be really careful with are 1 When there is no other traffic on the road. It is very easy to revert to driving on the wrong side of the road. When other traffic is present, it helps guide you, especially at junctions. 2 When travelling down the middle of a one-way street, it is very easy to turn onto a two way street on the wrong side.

[@woltersworld]

Thanks for sharing! Appreciated!

[@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.

[@Early2000sPs2games]

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

[@iancampbell6925]

Putting a left-pointing arrow taped to the bottom of the windscreen can be a useful reminder in confusing situations. Stopping at the opposite side of the road ie in a layby can be potentially dangerous as instinctively you may want to drive off on the wrong side.

[@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.

[@FrankODea-tv9sf]

in spain or mainland Europe we drive on the right. it is difficult to get used to driving on other side of road but you will get used to it.

[@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.....

[@joeswitajewski130]

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

[@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

[@paultipton743]

I like the traffic lights in Pattaya Thailand, they have a numbered countdown to say how long you have to wait

[@colinmarais8875]

That was a nice touch I also enjoyed except when you drive a car and 100 scooters surround you and you have 100 people to keep track off when you pull away

[@woltersworld]

i've seen those... it's like you are at the indy 500 waiting to take off :)

[@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.

[@n8nate]

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

[@josephtixx2691]

In Malta, we also drive on the left side of the road. You get use to it and follow signs.

[@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 ;)

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

in my youth, i remember when detroit's cars rearranged the interior to accommodate cars easily with the steering wheel left or right. Thailand drives like England where's the steering wheel on the right side, but just to the north LaoPDR, Laos, the steering wheel driver is on the left. There's a place on the border where the highway crosses and with big warning signs--notices drivers have to change lanes.

[@joeo7257]

The best tip I’ve had is keep the center stripe to your right shoulder. The other is, left turns are easy right turns cross lanes. Younger people adapt quicker.

[@dickiegreenleaf750]

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

[@afernick1]

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

[@pttmn-zm9bi]

I can only speak for Ireland ... another issue is the streets and foot paths (sidewalks) are narrow so when you park on a street fold the side mirrors in (they are hinged) so it doesn't stick out ... don't forget to unfold it before you drive ... its more common then you think for traffic to take off a parked cars mirror which you will be charged to replace. you are to put your hand brake on at a red traffic signal . Again don't forget to release it before you go. Mark you said a day to get used to driving ... I don't agree it's a far easier adjustment then you'd think I was very comfortable in minutes ... EXCEPT i did try to shift gears with the window knob many times before that became the new routine. USE indicators (turn signals) especially in a round-about (circle). The country roads are rather narrow but I find Irish drivers are far more considerate then american drivers. Keep left only go into the right land to overtake (pass) Don't drive along in the right lane. If you are in the right lane move over for other traffic approaching behind you ... often they will flash their head lamps on and off to signal you to get out of the way. Did you mention zebra crossings? If not ALWAYS stop for pedestrians in or approaching a zebra crossing (diagonally striped cross-walkways often with flashing lamps at either end) many people will just walk out assuming you know to stop for them. Enjoy Ireland its grand ... thanks again Mark for another excellent and informative video ... be well mate cheers

[@peterpain6625]

After going lift and right hand drive and back again for two or three times it's like riding a bike. Luckily i always got automatic on the companies dime ;)

[@pttmn-zm9bi]

@@peterpain6625 nice

[@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!

[@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!

[@byronchavarria4954]

Left Side Traffic Exists Also In Australia 🇦🇺 Japan 🇯🇵 But The Blinkers And Wipers Are Opposite Most Likely More Automatic Cars

[@GwareddJ]

Pro tip. When you are on a variable speed motorway in the UK. You will see a yellow cameras that monitors your speed. These are dotted on the side of the road and are placed at intervals, this distance will vary form road to road. Now.. If you switch lanes after each camera the tracking software can't track your speed so you can drive a bit more 'enthusiastically' without getting shopped.

[@Camerongalexander]

If only Anne Sacoolas has seen this

[@davidslee1085]

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

[@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

[@ashleygates9805]

Very good straightforward video. Thanks for the advice.

[@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!

[@mookrage]

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

[@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.

[@colinmarais8875]

So funny here in SA we drive on the left. When I was in Kanada I had to drive on right it takes about 30 min and you get used to it. Circles are what you need to keep paying attention to go right way round. For GPS I will suggest download map area in maps for offline use. Driving stick is easy but then everyone learns to drive manual first

[@peterpain6625]

I suggest to use google maps in nz m8. You'll be surprised that overgrown footpath is happily announced as "this is the fastest way" so many times you almost forget those 45min drives back when the road just ends at a closed gate in the middle of the shire ;)

[@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.

[@tectorama]

You'll find that more and more cars are automatic, usually just the smaller models are manual (or stick shift)... A lot of major towns and cities will have a park and ride, where you park your car and get a bus into town. Be aware that some of these car parks charge for parking and some don't, it always pays to double check. Another thing to do is do a good check of the car when you pick it up, as some companies will try to bill you for damage you haven't caused. even if it's a scuffed wheel.

[@blotski]

Don't really agree with this. Maybe the bigger, up-market (ie expensive) cars are often automatic but these are unlikely to be offered as a hire car unless you want to pay a lot extra. By smaller I think you mean the average car that most people have who don't have the money to buy a big automatic car or who don't get company cars. Of course, hybrid or electric cars are a different story.

[@tectorama]

More and more new cars are now Hybrids, which are CVT or automatic. Many people can only drive an automatic, and It's not just the more expensive models which are Auto. Once you've driven an auto, you wouldn't go back to manual.

[@iPhoneProymas]

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

[@SgtSteel1]

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

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

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

[@MojoEU]

I like the Layer Cake nod by filming near to the Regency Cafe 👍 I walk past that spot all the time.

[@robertfoulkes1832]

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

[@robertmcmullen5835]

Love all the informational travel videos!

[@tessat338]

One thing to really watch out for while (or whilst) driving in the UK is when pulling out into traffic from car parks. That's where I get confused. I say to myself "car park -left lane" whilst in the UK and then "parking lots - right lane" when I get back home.

[@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....

[@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"

[@dennis12dec]

In Singapore just like downtown London there's a system called Electronic Road Pricing when you drive through the Central Business District where you pay more like a Congestion Charge to encourage more people to use public transport like buses and trains rather than driving and jostling for parking space.

[@theblondeone8426]

LoVE THIS. I drive a stick in the US so thats exciting news BUT scary to think about passing or having the stick in my left hand…😅Ive driven in Iceland and rural France with no problem…but Ireland is the real test.

[@sahotaquack1]

Generally speaking, when going straight ahead/2nd exit on roundabouts you should approach in the left hand lane generally unless road markings/signs suggest otherwise

[@doughunt9621]

I know this is late as the video is 4 years old. But I have to take issue with the section on paying for parking. Some ticket machines require a licence plate number, but there are not many. Some machines do not give tickets and parking is controlled by number plare recognitin cameras. Some places you may have no option but to pay by phone, many others do not accept cash and you have to pay by card, either by inserting it into the machine, many now contactless.

[@woltersworld]

Yeah, when this wqs filmed probably 5 years ago the license plate readers werent a thing

[@MrJonsied]

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

[@PatriciaQuintero-u9v]

The US needs more roundabouts according to my sister who lives there. I agree. Four way stops are insane!

[@ericduffield524]

The Regency Cafe in Westminster! My favourite place to get a traditional Full English Breakfast. Caught this in the first 5 mins of your talk Professor Wolter 👍

[@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.

[@cookcountyjoe]

I had breakfast at the Regency Cafe, it was awesome.

[@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 😀

[@blotski]

One thing. I'm sure you said get in the right lane to go straight ahead on roundabouts. No. If there are two lanes as you approach the island and you want to go straight ahead stay in the left lane. Otherwise you will be cutting up traffic on your left as you exit. The right lane is normally for turning right only. If there are 3 lanes as you approach the island you often go in the middle land to go straight ahead but it will be clearly marked on the road. Btw any body else noticed the smart arse comments from people who've seen the title of the video but clearly not actually listened to what Wolter said?

[@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.

[@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

[@c_wanderluster]

And rounds are normal, maybe I didn't see them as much in Germany, but usually in Europe roundabouts are a normality, and I travelled a lot round europe. Maybe in Italy the rules are a little bit different from UK, since in Italy they drive on the right side, before entering it, you have look left

[@AllieThePrettyGator]

Traffic lights in the london area have a White outline