Positive stories of first time driving on the right?

[Girlicorne]

My DC have just reached the right height and level of bravery to be into thrill rides at theme parks. Over the years we have done almost everywhere in the UK and they have been looking at youtube videos of the big/popular European parks. We have started planning a bit of a road trip for next year, potentially May half term so 10 days or so to take in Duinrell, Efteling, Phantasialand and Europapark. It's four hours driving from Duinrell to Europapark but we would be taking in Efteling and Phantasialand for a couple of days on the way so no long stints.

The problem is I have never driven on the right! I ve counted up that in my 15 year driving career I have covered around 400,000 miles in the UK - I drive between 500 and 1000 miles a week for work, most of it motorway and I ve driven all over the UK so I am quite confident and experienced. I m just worried I won't be able to coordinate driving on the right in mainland Europe but I m determined to do it as I think we are missing out if I don't! Can anyone given me some stories of how easy it is please???? Also any comments on the theme parks mentioned would be great too!

It's really not difficult for an experienced driver like you. You just find you need to concentrate like you did when you were a new driver and never go into autopilot.

It will be fine. Just remember when turning on to a different street which side to go on! Plus roundabouts are a tad confusing. But you’ll be surprised how easily you can switch from during your left to right for gear changes.

Driving on the right is fine. If the French can manage it, anyone can.

The pedals are in the same relative positions, so you still operate the clutch with your left foot and the throttle & brake with your right. You change gear with your right hand, instead of your left, which you soon get used to.

Driving on the open road is dead easy. Just go with the flow. Towns are a bit more fun, because you are turning across the traffic when you turn left. Roundabouts are interesting because the traffic flows in the opposite direction and you give way to your left, not your right.

I find the tricky bit is when you are turning out of car parks onto the road and you need to remind yourself to drive on the right. I think of The Italian Job : “in this country, they drive on the WRONG side of the road!”

Your car or hiring abroad? Alone or with another adult?
Main issues I have with a British car on the Continent... Is that car parks, toll booths etc are set up for European cars. Not a problem with another adult, very inconvenient alone.
Joining the motorway can be a bit scary with the lorries being on your left, but just keep checking your mirrors/over your shoulder.
Speed limits are in km/h
Germans drive fast.

I was not confident at first but I was no where near as experienced as you.

I hired a car, so the gearstick was switched, which I actually found helpful, though I did keep hitting the door with my left hand! In normal traffic it was fine; on unsurfaced roads with potholes and limited traffic, I found that I was more likely to pull to the left when I met another vehicle. My passenger was good at reminding me though! Getting the others in the car to 'help' may well be something they enjoy.

Driving on the right is surprisingly easy once you get going

You do need to read up on the rules of the road though, especially the stuff you need to take in your car when travelling through France as well as road rules... for example, when on some (but not all) roundabouts in France, priority is given to people entering the roundabout, not those already on it.

We will be taking my car, driving to Harwich then ferry crossing to Holland. I will have DH with me, he doesn't drive any more for medical reasons but has in the past and is good at navigating so he will be there for support and to pay tolls on the passenger side!

Am I right in thinking there is no speed limit on the autobahns in Germany or is that an urban myth?

Thank you for all the positive advice, I need to do it as I think there is so much to see and do that I need to drive for!

(If you’re planning to drive in France that is. Same thing goes obviously for other countries tho).

Crossed post.

Not all autobahns have no speed limit.

I found driving on the right easier in my car than in a hire car. What helped me is remembering that whichever way you turn, you are nearest the pavement, which I found easier than remembering that turning left is like our turning right, if you know what I mean.

You will quickly get used to it, although you need to concentrate more when turning in and out of junctions.

Autobahns will have speed limits in certain parts, usually around built up areas. Where there are no speed limits most stick to around the 80mph mark although there will be an odd few who go much much faster which is quite terrifying so keep your wits about when pulling out into the overtaking lane.

130kph is the normal speed limit on autobahns it tends to be the three lane ones have unrestricted bits. Just watch for the signs.

Speeding isn't such a taboo in Germany.

Really easy to drive on the wrong side. The first few minutes of adjusting is the hardest and if you find yourself alone on a two way street you may be tempted to switch lanes.

The limit on most autobahns is 130. Some people do drive very fast on the derestricted sections which are indicated by this sign.

Its illegal to run out of fuel on an Autobahn in Germany. So keep the tank topped up!

You need to pay to use toilets at service stations. Children go through a separate gate (up to age of about 8). You get a voucher that can be redeemed when you buy something in the shop.

If you're hiring a car, maybe consider an automatic. Then you don't need to worry about gearchanges.

OP: I had similar concerns when I first drove on the RH side (probably at about the age of 50). Like you, I was driving my own car, which helped, because I didn't have to worry about an unfamiliar car as well as an unfamiliar side of the road (and language on road signs).

It really didn't take long to get used to and since then I have also driven hire cars (so LH drive) in Europe and the US.

My husband was there, which was good for moral support, and paying at tolls, but I did all the driving (and navigating, because he is useless at it).

Good luck!

It is absolutely fine, I did it for Efteling a few years ago.

I did hire an automatic just for one less thing to concentrate on though!

Personally the thought of driving a right hand drive car on the wrong side of the road worries me more for visibility reasons.

Its illegal to run out of fuel on an Autobahn in Germany. So keep the tank topped up!

And there aren't any service areas on the autobahns either. You have to come off to get fuel.

On the derestricted bits of autobahn, be aware that there are still bends and you may need to slow down to go round them.

DH usually drives when in Europe. He found it easier in traffic as it was much easier to remember. We only ended up on the wrong side of the road once, in the middle of the French countryside where we hadn't (and didn't) see another car for miles!

DH found it useful initially to wear one glove on his right hand. Felt a bit odd, but it was a very physical and visual reminder.

Visibility was tricky overtaking as you simply can't see very well but as a passenger, I was the extra pair of eyes on the nearest side.

It isn't a problem, feels a bit odd, but is manageable. I have only driven hire cars abroad but both DH and I drive on most of our holidays in Europe and the USA. Go for it, main tip would be to get your DH to be "co-driver" rather than a passenger, you need him to navigate, watch for signs and help with road markings etc as these things take more thinking than at home where they are familiar and you are already using more concentration because you are on the wrong side of the road.

It's really fine. The first couple of roundabouts can be a little confusing but just take your time. Auto is easier. I hate uk motorways (m25) but am very happy on the paeage in France.