Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How hard is driving on the continent- really??

45 replies

jerrywesterby · 21/04/2023 09:31

I am a fairly confident driver, no problems motorway driving, or driving around unknown cities etc, but the thought of driving on the wrong side brings me out in a cold sweat!

I've booked a holiday in the Netherlands in the summer, we could fly, then get the train/airport transfer etc, but I'm wondering how terrifying would it be to actually get the ferry and drive?

I'd be getting off the ferry at Rotterdam and driving about an hour? It's to Duinrell if anyone knows the route.... would I arrive with the kids in tears and me with heart failure?? 😀

Can anyone offer me some words of wisdom?

OP posts:
RosesofAmsterdam · 21/04/2023 09:37

In your own car it's simple. Just make sure you concentrate at roundabouts to go the right way, and I also found at first turning left out of a junction, remembering to go over to the right side. The major consideration for new drivers in the Netherlands is cyclists. They have the right of way on cycle paths that go across roads, so you have to stop for them. By hyper vigilant constantly for them.

RosesAndHellebores · 21/04/2023 09:37

As soon as you drive off the ferry you will find all the signs/markings appropriate for driving on the right. Give it a couple of kilometers and it will be totally normal and intuitive.

The first couple of times I did it, decades ago, I tied a ribbon on the right of the steering wheel.

If you are really nervous it might be worth hiring a local car.

CindersAgain · 21/04/2023 09:38

Depends how much noise your children make.

In the Netherlands there’s the added complications of bikes everywhere to watch out for.

RoseBucket · 21/04/2023 09:39

As someone who once momentarily forgot up a mountain it’s actually really easy once you have got used to it. Just have to remember to use your mirrors all the time. I’ve driven in my own car and a hired car sitting on the ‘wrong’ side and found my own car easier.

TheFeistyFeminist · 21/04/2023 09:39

It's really very straightforward - the first few miles have signs reminding you, and after that you're in the swing of it anyway.

How hard is it to drive on the wrong side of the road in the UK? Massively difficult, because everything is set up for the way we work. Same in other countries too.

The only recommendation I would make is that you'll need a passenger to do all the motorway toll ticket taking etc - that's on the wrong side of your car (fine if you have a hire car).

CornedBeef451 · 21/04/2023 09:40

I have driven in France a few times and it's surprisingly easy!

curlykate99 · 21/04/2023 09:45

Did it for the first time this year and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, for example at the approach to every roundabout in France there was a blue arrow pointing right, I just looked an extra time both ways before pulling out to the left, but other than that was fairly relaxed. Toll booths were tricky in a right hand drive car (leaning across through passenger window).

PuttingDownRoots · 21/04/2023 09:46

As stupid as this may sound... you just follow the car in front.

Joining motorways can be a bit nerve racking at first as your view isn't as clear especially if a lot of lorries. But you adjust.

Petrol stations... in the motorway service stations sometimes you pay before filling up. (You also need change for the toilets!)

Don't forget to check your car kit. You need car seats up to 150cm not 135cm for children for example.

And be prompt for the ferry. The last few cars have to reverse on!

boonboon · 21/04/2023 09:47

TheFeistyFeminist · 21/04/2023 09:39

It's really very straightforward - the first few miles have signs reminding you, and after that you're in the swing of it anyway.

How hard is it to drive on the wrong side of the road in the UK? Massively difficult, because everything is set up for the way we work. Same in other countries too.

The only recommendation I would make is that you'll need a passenger to do all the motorway toll ticket taking etc - that's on the wrong side of your car (fine if you have a hire car).

It's pretty straight forward. I'm pretty sure there won't be tolls in Holland.

Depending where you are in the UK. You might want to consider the Harwich - Hook of Holland ferry. It's slightly nearer, but more importantly you skip going through/round Rotterdam which can be busy.

Or possibly Newcastle - Ijmuiden (never done this one personally)

ExtremelyDetermined · 21/04/2023 09:47

You get used to it very quickly. I'd say the main place where I find I'm likely to go onto the wrong side is pulling out of a T junction on quieter roads. Roundabouts, motorway turnings etc and traffic lights are fine as they guide you.

MargaretThursday · 21/04/2023 09:48

The problem is (having never done it, by what people say) is that it's really easy until that split moment you forget. So initially you're thinking about it, then it gets easier and you have a quick decision to make or a turning with no one else around and you forget and revert to "normal". Most of the time it's not a problem, but if it is a problem it can be much bigger than it would be at home because you've behaved in a way that's unexpected to other drivers around.
My great aunt was killed by an English driver in France turning onto the wrong side of the road.

Stropalotopus83 · 21/04/2023 09:50

I drive in France quite often, PIL have a holiday home there and used to visit over summer/Easter holidays etc via the ferry. I can honestly say I have never had any issues and it is much easier than you think it is - if you are in your own car! The only issues I ever had were when we flew one year instead of taking the ferry and hired a left hand drive car in France. I hated every minute of it and just couldn't get used to it.

If you are a confident driver in the UK and are taking your own car, I think you'll be absolutely fine x

Orangebadger · 21/04/2023 09:54

It's not too bad. We do it a lot. We bought a little sticker that goes in the corner of the window by the driver with a diagram of a roundabout for Europe, it seems silly but it's actually very helpful.

One thing to note in NL cyclists have the right of way so at junctions and roundabouts watch out for the separate cycle lanes.

Cameraduck · 21/04/2023 09:55

I drove in France not all that long after I took my test. Difficulties were doing your looks the other way round, left turns, and not having someone in the car who will suddenly freak out that you’re on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. And yes to a passenger for tolls I’d forgotten that.

GoldenMalicious · 21/04/2023 09:59

It’s been a few years since I drove on the continent but generally it was fine. As others say, joining the motorway takes some care and it’s a bit of a mind shift to acknowledge that the ‘fast’ lane feels like it ought to be the ‘slow’ lane. It doesn’t take long to adjust though. The one aspect I found harder was driving down quiet country roads where there’s less traffic and minimal road signage - when you meet a car coming in the opposite direction it is easy to forget that you pass to the right of them when your instincts tell you to pass on the left. Ditto car parks or other situations where you’re not in a flow of traffic.

boonboon · 21/04/2023 10:00

Orangebadger · 21/04/2023 09:54

It's not too bad. We do it a lot. We bought a little sticker that goes in the corner of the window by the driver with a diagram of a roundabout for Europe, it seems silly but it's actually very helpful.

One thing to note in NL cyclists have the right of way so at junctions and roundabouts watch out for the separate cycle lanes.

It's very good practice to assume that cyclists always have right of way. Although it's not always the case.

One other quirck on smaller roads you have to give way to traffic coming from the right. On bigger roads that is not usually the case. If you don't have to give way there will be a diamond shaped with orange surrounded by white. https://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voorrangsweg

Voorrangsweg - Wikipedia

https://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voorrangsweg

Seeline · 21/04/2023 10:01

It's much easier if you hire a RH drive car when you get there.

PrinnyPaupersPurse · 21/04/2023 10:02

You may need to adjust your headlights depending on your car as other wise you will blind oncoming traffic at night. It doesn't matter if you don't intend to drive at night, you must have the Len's stickers or you can face a fine. You will also need an RAC type emergency kit in case you break down, get them from Halfords for £40-75 depending on the types. But other than that it's really straight forward. My sister and I hire a car in every country we go to.

DRS1970 · 21/04/2023 10:04

I found it straightforward when I moved to Germany. The only time I had to think hard about it was at roundabouts.

Froginboilingwater · 21/04/2023 10:04

I find it very easy, as others have said, all the infrastructure forces you into the correct lane, and then you follow the cars ahead.

I've made only a few mistakes in my years of driving, which is when I leave somewhere new (e.g. come out of a car park) in quiet areas, it can be easy to get on the wrong side.

UndercoverCop · 21/04/2023 10:04

We drove to efteling last year from the Eurotunnel crossing in Calais. It was really easy, the roads were quieter than here even around the cities, signage and markings were good and most of the trip will be on motorways/dual carriageways so it's fine.
I think it's easier in your own car because although you're on the other side of the road you're still sitting in the same place if that makes sense. You're also used to the controls, biting point etc.
I really enjoyed it and so did DS, felt like an adventure, no waiting around at airports and we stopped in a lovely little place for lunch etc. Also made packing a hell of a lot easier when you're just throwing stuff in the car

PuttingDownRoots · 21/04/2023 10:05

I'm not sure if its the same in the Netherlands, but in Germany it was possible for a car to have a green light to turn into a side road, and for pedestrians and cyclists to ave a green light to cross the same side road at the same time... it was your responsibility to check the road was clear.

boonboon · 21/04/2023 10:05

I disagree if you hire a car you will have the steering wheel on the proper side for that country, but it brings it's own issues.

Changing gear with your opposite hand, unfamiliarity. I'd say having the familiarity of your car negates the steering wheel issue.

HippeePrincess · 21/04/2023 10:05

I’m a confident driver and found no issue driving in Europe, I’ve driven both a hire car obviously the opposite side to what I’m used to, and my own car. In terms of being set up correctly for the side of the road the hire car was miles better and it was instinctive to therefore drive on the right and I preferred it slightly, however have driven my own car abroad too and it was fine, it’s just visibility isn’t as good.

Seeingadistance · 21/04/2023 10:09

Seeline · 21/04/2023 10:01

It's much easier if you hire a RH drive car when you get there.

I agree. Then all you have to do is remember that the driver is always positioned next to centre line, and don’t overthink it.