Scared to drive on the opposite side of the road when you’re abroad? You’re not alone! Skyscanner has launched the first ever left hand driving school after research reveals that over a quarter of British travellers admit to being afraid of driving on the left-hand side.
As couples begin to jet off on their honeymoons this summer, the travel search site has teamed up with an elite team of driving instructors to offer free classes to travellers looking for best practice and advice to remain on the right side of foreign road laws. Over a third of British travellers admit they don’t research driving laws before driving abroad, and 24 per cent would prefer their partners to do all the driving.
“With two-thirds of the world’s countries driving on the right-hand side of the road we wanted to give British holidaymakers the confidence they need to drive overseas,” says Skyscanner’s Mary Porter. “Rules and regulations vary from country to country so we’ve also published a guide to provide some clarity for drivers including top tips on driving on the opposite side of the road. There is so much to discover off the beaten track so we hope people make the most of it without the fear of driving abroad.”
The guide not only includes a list of national speed limits for UK’s most popular holiday destinations but also a list of unusual road signs they may come across as this is cited as the most fearful part of driving overseas. There are also top tips on how to drive on the right as well as a list of some of the more unusual driving laws from across the globe.
Want to brush up on your driving before your honeymoon or destination wedding? Classes will run on Saturday 12th July in Brixton, London and are subject to availability. British travellers looking to take part in the left hand driving school can apply for a class via the Skyscanner website. Don’t forget to check out more Honeymoon advice here!
Left Hand Driving Top Tips
- Repeat the phrase ‘drive on the right’ and remember you want to always be closest to the middle of the road
- On a dual carriageway or motorway remember that the ‘fast’ lane is the far left lane and the ‘slow’ lane is the far right lane. As a beginner it’s worth sticking to the right lane and take it slowly until you have built up your confidence
- When approaching a roundabout remember that you must give way to the left and drive anti-clockwise around them
- It is important to remember that the most dangerous turn is now the left hand turn because it crosses the other lane of traffic
- Having a co-pilot can be a help. A backseat driver can be more of a help than a hindrance because a reminder to stay on the correct side is certainly welcome as is any help on navigating
- If you’re headed to Nice this Summer remember to carry a breathalyser in the car as it’s a legal requirement for all motorists in France
- In some cities in Spain cars must be parked on different sides of the road according to the day of the week so check before you pull up to a spot
- If you’re planning on holidaying in Spain or the Canary Islands and you wear glasses, the driving laws require you to carry an additional pair when driving
- In most cities in Portugal and Italy cars must be parked in the direction of traffic so if you’re visiting this summer remember to follow the locals and don’t be caught out
- The USA is a popular country for road-tips but it’s important to remember rules vary from state to state so it’s worth checking before you arrive. One law, regardless of state, is that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus, whichever direction you’re travelling in
