Driving on the right

Redser87

Would appreciate honest opinions. I am going on holiday on the Continent in the summer. My partner doesn't drive and I am a recent n driver. I will have 3 months of solo driving experience by the summer (Mostly in Dublin). I have my own car so I drive nearly every day.
The question is, would it be madness to hire a car and attempt driving on the right? where we are going, the speed limits are more or less the same as here so no Autobahn, but would you say that this would be too much of a challenge for a relatively new driver?
Thanks in advance.

evolutionqy7

Depends how confident or adaptive you are.

Keep thinking the opposite all the time ☺ plus if you have sat nav. It helps you stay in the right lane helping you with the process. Of moving along the right track.

Mind due the first time I did it I did have a couple of small quirks. Main was when I got on dual carriageway I could figure out which was the driving lane for a while

Asmooh

I have the same thing, but i will be driving LHD instead.. just use the mirrors and keep thinking (i need to be the closest to the side walk)

Damien360

If you are just a N driver then I would say you are mad to attempt it.

Not sure from your post if you have full license. You might not get insured without a full license. Not sure how they can tell though !

Motorway driving abroad is a doddle, especially the autobahn. Eyes open and a judge of speed for incoming faster cars is all you need. You really need your wits about you in towns.

It normally takes me a day to adapt fully. Satnav is a must. Sign reading in a foreign language takes too much concentration and you loose focus on your road position.

Idleater

The driving is fine, you might run into problems when renting a car due to your limited experience though. Check it out in advance.

stefanovich

Idleater wrote: »

The driving is fine, you might run into problems when renting a car due to your limited experience though. Check it out in advance.

A lots of places in Europe require a full license for two years. I've driven a French car in Ireland and it's okay, just takes a few minutes to adjust.

Try to find someone who will rent to you and you should be grand.

The Bishop Basher

Driving on the right is easy, particularly in towns where other traffic is a constant reminder. It does require more concentration as you're out of your comfort zone. Roundabouts and junctions are the most likely places to slip up so just be aware all the time and don't allow yourself become distracted by the sights and sounds. If your a standard competent driver you'll be fine and tbh the fact that you're questioning it would demonstrate a level of maturity that will stand to you.

As said above though, renting a car with so little experience may be a problem.

BKtje

I've found that your brain adapts very quicky. I actually did the opposite, I learnedt o drive in Europe and 6 months after passing my test (8 months driving in total) I came to Ireland for a holiday where I drove from Dublin to and around Connemara. As I didn't (and still don't) own a car my overall driving experience would probably have been less than yours now.

The first few hours are the hardest and I wouldn't recommend driving around a busy city or town but you'll quicky get the hang of it. Motorways are actually the easiest part of driving in a foreign country! Just take it very easy until you feel confident enough to drive more normally

As an aside, I actually had my permit two weeks before I drove into Germany and belted down the autobahn without a problem. That said, motorway driving is taught and part of the permit process here.

Edit: previous poster brings up a good point. Many rental companies require 1 or 2 years with a licence before giving you a car so check the policy of the rental company first.

Redser87

Thanks everyone, I didn't know that car hire companies might be reticent like that, but it makes sense. I am fully qualified in that I have my test and can drive unaccompanied and on motorways, but in less than a month on my own I've noticed a huge improvement in my driving. If no company will rent a car to me anyway it's an academic point, but I might hold off for a while on booking anything. might not be the worst thing in the world to stick to trains if I'm not totally sure I can do it.

stefanovich

Fear can be your jailor or your guide. I'd go for it personally if you can find a rental company.

*Kol*

If you are driving a LHD car it's very intuitive. A little trickier driving your own RHD car as there is a tendency to want to drive back on the left. I find pulling out of a parking space into the road is the most likely time you will head for the wrong side.

gk5000

Always keep the steering wheel in the middle of the road, works here and there: and
- here, left turns are easy
- there, right turns are easy
keep repeating, as u manouver

*Kol*

A really simple thing is a post it on the windscreen with an arrow pointing to the right and the words "keep right" on it. It does work.

Gloomtastic!

Don't forget the gear stick is now on your right hand as opposed to your left. Can take a bit of getting used to.....

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

I drove a lhd drive car in Dublin a few times.

The gearstick on the right didn't bother me at all. Could easily get used to it

The issue i had was i kept driving in the middle of the road. Couldn't keep it to the left at all due to habbit.

itd be like someone who drove a manual car for 40 years and then gets an auto. They'd automatically go for the clutch and gear change by habit.

I haven't driven lhd in eu country yet so can't say for left on right side of road.

Atlantic Dawn

Some rental companies will also only insure drivers 25 years old and older.

You would want to be confident driving on a motorway, have you done much motorway driving in Ireland? I would recommend doing a Dublin to Galway or Dublin to Belfast drive to see how confident you feel, if you have doubts after those drives forget about driving on the right.

Jesus.

Redser87 wrote: »

would it be madness to hire a car and attempt driving on the right?

Not a'tall, you'll be grand. You'll pick it up no problem

Special Circumstances

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Don't forget the gear stick is now on your right hand as opposed to your left. Can take a bit of getting used to.....

Didnt have a problem with gears but I remember reaching into the door pocket to pull an imaginary hand brake. D'oh.

kupus

It's very easy and you'll get the hang of it in no time..... As above start in a quiet place driving .

Something to remember is you are always in the middle of the lane.
Your mrs is always ditch side.

Take your time exiting from side streets onto other quiet side streets as your natural reaction is to turn the opposite. But just remember Mrs (passenger seat) is always ditch side. And you (the steering wheel) are always to the middle of the road.

ironclaw

kupus wrote: »

It's very easy and you'll get the hang of it in no time..... As above start in a quiet place driving .

This. Take a few mins in the airport to get the hang of it. Last summer I stepped off a jet in JFK to a voicemail asking for an Aston Martin DB7 to be delivered to Time Square from the Bronx. Was the best cruise into Manhattan ever, but literally had legs of jelly when I got there (It was rush hour Manhattan traffic) :eek:

keithclancy

IMO its far easier driving on the continent, everyone is more predictable.

Always give way to the right when on un-signposted roads and in car parks.
Make sure you check for people crossing the road/bicycles when you are turning left as in Germany they can have turn right on red, or the pedestrians / cyclists have right of way when you are turning right on green.

ectoraige

I've driven in my own car (RHD) in France and in a rental car in the states (LHD) and I can honestly say it was much easier to adapt to driving on the wrong side in the LHD car. Having yourself on the middle of the road is more natural than driving beside the curb. A decent Sat-nav makes a huge difference as you don't have to concentrate on finding your way as much, so you can concentrate on driving instead. The main difficulties are:

Pulling out - As *Kol* mentions, when pulling out from parking it's very easy to automatically pull out onto the wrong side of the road.

T-Junctions - It's very easy to turn into the wrong side of the road, especially if turning left. When approaching a junction take a moment to remind yourself which side the curb will be on. Also, before pulling out remind yourself which side oncoming traffic will be coming from, don't pull out until you're sure the way is clear.

Roundabouts - the roads tend to guide you on naturally enough so it's hard enough to go the wrong way around. However, the signs indicating the exits will be on the opposite side to where you naturally look so it can be a bit disconcerting. You can get windscreen stickers that remind you of the correct path to take, they can be helpful too.

Motorways - These are the easiest especially with Sat-nav, once you're on them there's very little thought required. The only real danger is if you go into auto-pilot mode after a long time so that when you leave the motorway you forget which side to take.

All in all, you just need to be extra cautious, give yourself extra time and don't do anything until you're sure it's the right thing. Be vigilant, and aware that traffic will emerge from the other side of junctions than you are used to. If you don't do four hours driving unbroken at home, don't try doing it abroad.

The final thing to remember if renting a LHD is when you open the door to get into the car and realise you've gone to the passenger side by mistake, pretend to look for something in the glove-box before nonchalantly strolling around to the other side. It's more embarrassing if your wife is sitting there laughing at you.

*Kol*

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Don't forget the gear stick is now on your right hand as opposed to your left. Can take a bit of getting used to.....

An automatic solves that one.

Edit. I am alway reaching for imaginary hand brakes with my right hand when I park a LHD car. I wouldn't mind if I didn't own one!

ardmacha

A main road that isn't too busy or a suburban situation is probably best, there are other cars around to orientate yourself, but it isn't too hectic. All of this is easier in the US or Canada where roads are very wide and often duallers than on the continent.

Be very careful, or just don't do it, of pulling over on the left to take in the view on a scenic road. If this road is quiet you'll be very tempted to stay on the left. It probably worth parking in places where moving off is pretty obvious until you get the hang of it.

Even if your partner doesn't drive, it is probably worth saying that you don't mind being reminded to drive on the right, 99% of the time this is not needed, but it might be once.

lintdrummer

As others have said it's a doddle. I rented a car in Italy years ago as a recently qualified driver, I was surprised how quickly I adapted to it. Within the first hour it was totally natural. I've since driven on the right several times in cars and on motorbikes. Never a problem switching over. As a novice I rented with EuropCar, you could try them if you're having trouble with other companies.

keithclancy

Come to think of it, I had a much harder time crossing the road as a pedestrian than I did with driving

_Brian

I'm thinking you shouldn't do it.

You have so little faith in your ability to pull this off flawlessly that you had to turn to the online world for reassurance.

Build up more experience and try it sometime in the future.

Cabaal

Drove over 1000miles in Germany two years ago, first time driving on the other side of the road. Actually enjoyed it alot and found the road system and standard of driving far far better then Ireland.

Been driving since 2008 and got my full license in 2008 also, only once did I make an error while Germany. After 3 days of driving on the right I still took the wrong side at a junction which thankfully wasn't busy (scared a German driver none the less). After that to be on the safe side I got my wife to remind me at every junction just to be on the safe side.

Personally, after 3 months of solo driving after getting your full license I wouldn't recommend driving in Europe just yet,

slimjimmc

OP, wherever you're going to make sure to know if there are any local restrictions on novice drivers, for example in Germany there is a 0% alcohol limit for novice drivers.
http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/germany

Redser87

Thanks everyone, I'm going to do a couple of longer drives before I decide for sure, my mammy thinks I shouldn't do it after just three months! Thanks for all the tips, if I do feel ready for it they will be invaluable

ardmacha

slimjimmc wrote: »

OP, wherever you're going to make sure to know if there are any local restrictions on novice drivers, for example in Germany there is a 0% alcohol limit for novice drivers.
http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/germany

I think mixing alcohol with inexperience and driving on the right on unfamiliar roads is not a good plan, whatever the local law.

ironclaw

ardmacha wrote: »

I think mixing alcohol with inexperience and driving on the right on unfamiliar roads is not a good plan, whatever the local law.

Its really common unfortunately. It was mentioned to me by nearly every hotel concierge when I am abroad and say I'll be driving into town for the evening (I don't drink myself) Austria has a similar low tolerance level.

Special Circumstances

ironclaw wrote: »

It was mentioned to me by nearly every hotel concierge when I am abroad and say I'll be driving into town for the evening ...

Maybe you just have a bit of a Fr Jack look about you :P:pac:

hmmm

My partner is a much better driver than me in Ireland, yet is atrocious when abroad - very timid and unpredictable. On the other hand, I'd be like her back here and the reverse when abroad, I was born in the wrong country

My point is, it's hard to know how you'll be until you try it. Certainly I'd have no problem driving somewhere where the drivers are relaxed, and if you can cope with the odd bit of head scratching e.g. anywhere outside the major cities in Spain & France.

I would not drive in most major cities, but then I don't like doing that here.

One thing I will do is study the route in detail before going anywhere. Google maps, streetviewing major turns, working it in my head beforehand. That way I can concentrate on my driving without worrying too much about where I'm going.