Is it hard driving abroad ?

[Lardlizard]

Really fancy driving to the Black Forest in Germany but I’m a bit scared

I’ve just watched some travel vlogs about going on the tunnel drive on train
And that part looks pretty simple

It’s actually easier than you would think, you very quickly automatically drive on the correct side. You’d just need to brush up on any specific nuances or regulations in the countries you plan to drive in.

Is it one of them things that once you’ve done it once it’s easier ?

Going round roundabouts must be weird

German roads and traffic is fine. Just say out loud to yourself DRIVING ON THE RIGHT! DRIVING ON THE RIGHT! five times before you pull onto the road.

It’s seems like it’s a26 for more than half the way

I find driving really hard and thought I would never be able to, but now don't even think twice & driven many thousands of miles.

I was a passenger first, then had ago somewhere really quiet in my own UK car, and built up confidence that way. I find that the majority of big roads are much quieter, apart from approaches to big cities. DP put a sticker on the car dashboard which was quite useful with a roundabout with arrows on it.

In a left hand drive car, I started off in an automatic, which was helpful - though I have punched the door many times trying to change gear. And when reversing into a space as a passenger pressed an imaginary brake & clutch and put the handbrake on!

It’s noticeably quieter on main roads in Europe ( compared to the SE) I really feel for people from France or Germany coming here though.
Roundabouts and overtaking is pretty easier to get into the swing of. They have much better lane discipline too, you literally overtake and pull in like you are supposed to rather than just sitting in a lane for miles.
The only bit I find confusing is having lots of lanes at traffic lights and overthinking which one I should turn into.
I can’t use a Sat Nav so I normally park outside a big city and train it in to save

I personally do find it hard in the ‘wrong’ car e.g. a right hand drive in mainland Europe. If the steering wheel is on the correct side then it’s super easy.

I lived in Australia for 10 years and luckily they drive on the same side as us cos I had to sit another theory and practical driving test even though I'd held a UK licence for 15 years. I'd have been bloody mortified if I'd failed.

It's actually really hard to drive on the wrong side of the road if you are driving a foreign car. If you drive your British car it's more confusing.

I don't find that it's the other side of the road that's the problem, it's the car being all on the other side!

I find joining motorways / dual carriageways tricky because I feel I can't see properly. And I have to concentrate at roundabouts. But it's fine as long as you concentrate on what you're doing. It's 100x easier in a hire car because you are sitting on the right side for the road, so it all makes sense.

Abroad is a big place! I don't mind driving in France but I hate driving in Italy. Unfortunately I live in Italy.

Currently in Slovenia and it’s my first time driving a manual left hand drive. It was weird at first, but I’ve got used to it quickly. Much prefer it to driving my car on the right side of the road.
I also prefer how quiet the roads are in comparison to motorways at home. I live in the SE and often have to drive on the M25.

The one thing I urge everyone to watch out for is the motorway - I’ve done the journey you are talking about many a time. Watch your mirrors when you pull out to overtake!!! There is often no speed limit so keep MUCH MORE distance than you would here. What seems like a decent gap on UK motorways may end in tragedy in Germany when the guy in the fast lane is going 160mph instead of the 60mph you’re used to. As a guide line, on motorways, stick to at least 140kmh (roughly 90mph).