what is the worst that can happen? ? unconfident driver off to Spain via France ?

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Any advice about driving on the other side of the road ????

umm

crash, death and destruction.

i just wouldn't. if you're not confident in the UK on the side of the road you always drive on, why even bother? Just don't.

I had to drive across France a couple of years ago taking my son to Nancy university.
Driving on the Right was no problem at all, to remind me to go Right at roundabouts I purchased a sticker fromHalfords to attach to the inside of the windscreen in front of my eyes, but found I never actually had to refer to it as quickly got used to the rules.
The roads were excellent with much less traffic on them than in the UK, I did most of the long distance driving on the toll roads, quite expensive but for piece of mind worth it.
Rather than pay at each toll I used a company that sends you a device you stick on the inside of your windscreen that automatically operates the toll bariiers, again expensive but saves a lot of hastle.
Search on the Internet and learn as much as you can about your route and the roads,, laws etc.

The only thing Ive ever found hard about driving on the other side of the road is the roundabouts. But you adjust to them really quickly, the sticker idea that Vicky mentioned sounds really helpful. have a sat-nav or similar so that you aren't relying on a map or someone in the passenger seat giving you vague directions, break up the journey with lots of regular stops and you'll be fine- throw yourself in at the deep end and your confidence will grow

It’s very easy. French motorways are an oasis of calm compared to British ones; even the road surface itself is smoother.

Practical tips: Petrol stations are spaced further apart than in the UK, and some are closed at night; so fill up frequently. If you’re driving alone, motorway tollbooths are a pain because you have to reach across the passenger seat to pay the toll (or even get out and walk around). If your car is a few years old, get European breakdown cover before you go. Get a car charger for your phone. Check that your car insurance covers you for the journey, and know what is covered. (For example Direct Line and Churchill will downgrade your Fully Comprehensive UK car insurance to Third-Party Only while you’re abroad!) There are plenty of speed cameras in both countries, including on motorways. Avoid summer Saturdays when the bulk of holiday traffic hits the roads.

Finally, it’s a long way to Spain, and the cost of petrol and motorway tolls quickly adds up. Are you sure it wouldn’t be cheaper to fly & rent a car there?

Have a bravery award sticker from me.

I am a confident driver here but totally wuss out and let DH do all the driving abroad.

Apart from South Africa where they drive on the left.

I live in France and was a new driver when we moved here. We saw a fab place to rent but it was in the country so I just had to get on with it. At first I felt like an octopus with my arms always waving in the wrong place looking for the gearstick. Soon got over it though. I spent a year doing a lot of driving, half in France and half in the U.K. Somehow for me if I am in the right car for the country I'm in it all slots into place. I think it helps that the roads are familiar too.

Not sure if you are driving from U.K. or hiring Lh drive in France? I must say driving a british car on the continent is harder as you somehow feel drawn to do things the wrong way because you are sitting on the wrong side. Remember there will usually be other cars on the road so you just follow the one in front - so it's easy to go the correct way round a roundabout if everyone else is going that way. Harder when it's dark and deserted (I once went the wrong way round a mini-roundabout trying to get out of Heathrow at 11pm).

If we drive our car to the U.K. I do let DH do the driving these days (partly because he is the world's worst back seat driver!).

Oh and don't forget the priority to the right rule in France! (If someone is joining the road you are on from a road on the right and they have no give way or stop sign, they have the priority!)

Oh and you have to carry a first aid kit, warning triangle and reflective tabard in the car in case of an accident!

Just don't go round the roundabout the wrong way! DH did in Calais... fun times!

Plan your route and avoid Paris if you are not confident. We have driven to Spain 3 times now and the most stressful part of the trip is getting through Paris for us.
The French autoroutes are great, not as busy as our motorways and rest areas (aires) and petrol are very regular, much more than here. If you can do the journey out of school holidays I can imagine the roads would be even clearer.

Enjoy the trip, some beautiful scenery along the way but make sure you plan your journey perhaps with a couple of overnight stops depending how far you are driving into Spain.

Think you also need two breathalysers in the vehicle too!

I did this trip down to southern spain last year on my own. It was fine and I had a great time. The one thing that was invaluable was my satnav and my ipod! Talking books are quite good too. Be careful when there are no other cars around because that's when you forget to drive on the right.

If you are doing the peages have some cash in Euros with you and a credit or debit card in case something goes wrong. The other thing i did was buy a spare wheel for my car. It didn't come with one, and having shredded a few tyres by having blow outs in the past, I felt a bit too vulnerable to drive without one.
I avoided the peages as it was more fun and I wasn't in a rush. They are a pain as well because sometimes you have to get out and walk around the car to put the money in. I think if you take the T route through the peages there is a paymachine on the correct side but its card only.
Don't overdo it and try to drive too far in one go, and don't preplan your stops rigidly. I found on a couple of days I was fine to drive for 8 hours, but from Dieppe down the west coast before Spain I only managed 6 before stopping because it was a lot busier.
Always fill up with fuel just before you stop for the night or first thing in the morning. The fuel stations in Spain can be quite a distance apart.
Be careful where you leave your car because it is obviously british by the number plate and a bit of a target by thieves. Make sure you leave nothing in sight on the back seats and remove your satnav stand every night.
Check your insurance because some insurances revert to 3rd party only on the continent. You need a reflective vest, at least two breathalysers and a warning triangle.
Make sure you have at least four or five litres of water in the vehicle because if you breakdown, its very hot. I went down in June and it was 40 degrees going through the middle of Spain.

I think it cost around 40 euros altogether from France through to Spain on the peages, because I came back that way. If you are going in the winter be careful because it gets very snowy very quickly over the Pyrenees.

Have a back up for your satnav in case there is a problem with it. I have a map system on my tablet, and also satnav on my phone. Make sure you have a car charger for your mobile.
I stopped off at fairly cheap hotels, mostly chains, but expect to pay around 40 to 60 E per night. If you want to do it cheaper you can stay in the Formula 1s. I've heard they are fine.

There are patisseries in nearly every town and village for croissant or lunch rolls and they nearly always also do coffee.

Its a great trip to do and I think you'll have a great time. Brilliant fun and a good way of seeing France and Spain. Hope you have as good a time as I did.

A tip for anyone driving in France: google "priorité à droite". In certain cases you have to give way to the right. This isn't an issue on motorways but in built up areas (esp. housing estates) and country roads it's something to be aware of. If you're driving along and haven't seen a sign showing that you have priority at the next junction, or if you see a road on your right with no Stop or Give way sign (or the corresponding road markings), or if it isn't a one-way street that you can turn into, then be careful. A triangular sign with a black "x" on a white background indicates a PàD ahead but there isn't always such a sign to warn you. Also be careful at T-junctions where there are no signs or road markings.

Thanks so much everyone. For the past 10 years I have been invited to do this journey but was too nervous. In theory I have 2 hours to drive alone but then meeting up with a friend and will try and follow her for the rest of the journey. Will have the kids and dh with me but I will be doing the driving. I am going for it out of comfort zone and all that. Thanks again.

I would say

• organise yourself so that you aren't driving when tired. A night ferry with a cabin is quite a relaxing start to a day's driving

• have a look at the laws re speed limits etc in both France and Spain - I think the AA have advice on this and also you can buy a handy guide in Halfords etc.

• having GPS in great but also have a paper map of the route as back up and familiarise yourself with the route in advance so you know what to expect.

• good luck!

I think you'll be fine. Only the roundabouts require extra thought and there aren't as many as we have.
Roads are quieter and drivers less inclined to be dicks because of this.

There is a list of things that you need to carry in car like emergency red triangle, reflective jacket, spare head light bulbs, breathalyzers, first aid kit. Ensure you have travel insurance. Take E111 card. Ensure you have car breakdown assistance for Europe.

Also that your car insurance includes driving in Europe

Go for it op!! Felt a proper driver when I came back!!. Drove with 6x dc to Portugal and back!!

We’ve got one if these for the peage toll and it is brilliant, a real time saver and no need to carry shrapnel to pay the tolls, or be on the wrong side for collecting the ticket etc
www.saneftolling.co.uk/faq/
The motorways really are quieter and there are lots of ‘Aires’ where you can stop for a picnic and a stretch, as well as the usual service stations.
Audiobooks are a must for us, plus sat nav and back up paper AA road atlas

and check re V5 owners document for France - you need to have this and your licence and insurance document. Also there are new rules for some French cities including Paris, you need a certificate or sticker re car emissions