Driving in a foreign country can be a challenge for North Americans visiting destinations where driving on the other side of the road is standard. It can be especially challenging when many rental cars feature manual transmission, a gear-shifting system rejected by the overwhelming majority of Canadian and American drivers.
A vacation is not an ideal time to learn how to drive a stick shift, especially if you’re also getting used to driving on the left side of the road instead of the right. The UK and Ireland are among 76 countries that drive on the left-hand side of the road. Other left-side drive countries include India, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Bahamas, Bermuda, and many more.
Following are the tips, tricks, and pitfalls from the most experienced travellers in the world to help you adapt to driving on the left-hand side of the road:
Rent a car with an automatic transmission. If you’re not used to driving on the left side of the road, it might be easier to rent a car with an automatic transmission. You won’t have to worry about shifting gears with your left hand, and you can focus on driving on the left side of the road.
“I drive a manual transmission car in the US so when I first drove one in London, I had to get used to the stick shift on my left. Thankfully the shift pattern is the same in the UK as it is in the US,” said Bill McIntyre, the Global Rescue communications director who has rented cars in seven different counties.
Take time to practice and keep your distance
Before driving on busy roads or highways, take some time to practice driving on the left side of the road in a quiet area. This will help you get used to the new perspective and build your confidence. Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, especially when driving on highways or in heavy traffic. This will give you enough time to react if something unexpected happens.
Lane changes in Africa look a whole lot different than Kansas and could get you arrested in America. Some countries are like the Wild West and have no rules at all. Whenever possible, travellers should hire local, trusted transportation. Automobile accidents pose the largest risk to travellers across the world.
One of the best ways to mitigate that risk is to avoid driving altogether,” said Adam Bardwell, a Global Rescue security operations supervisor.
Use GPS or a map and follow the traffic flow
Make sure you have a GPS or a map with you to help you navigate. Familiarize yourself with the route before setting off. It’s easy to get disoriented when driving on the left side of the road, especially when you’re not familiar with the area. Do a map study to increase your confidence, and improve your ability to concentrate on safe driving. Try to follow the flow of traffic and stay in the left lane unless you need to overtake or turn right. This will help you avoid confusion and make your driving experience much smoother.
Navigating roundabouts is a big challenge when learning to drive on the left-hand side of the road, said Charles McCarthy, a Global associate marketing manager reflecting on a trip he took to South Africa. “In the (North America) we head right in a counterclockwise direction, but in countries where you drive on the left-hand side of the road, you enter roundabouts to the left and drive clockwise. I was lacking a general familiarity with them, compounded especially by multi-lane roundabouts, which were everywhere on the major routes.”
Driving on the left side of the road can be challenging for North Americans, but with practice and patience, it can be done safely and effectively.
Do you need an International Driving Permit?
The countries that require an International Driving Permit (IDP) can vary, and it depends on the country you plan to visit and your country of origin. The U.K., Ireland, and Cyprus do not require an IDP for visitors who hold a driver’s license from most countries, including Canada,
Canadians can get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
Be aware that specific requirements can vary based on each destination, so it’s best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit to confirm whether you need an IDP. Some rental car companies may require an IDP, even if it’s not legally required in the country you’re visiting. Check with your rental car company to see if they have any specific requirements.
(Harding Bush is a former Navy SEAL and senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue, a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. Bush has driven manual and automatic transmission automobiles in dozens of left-side driving countries.)