Driving on the other side of the road

[spacemonkey]

I've never driven outside the UK before and I'm a bit scared of doing so

Am going to see my mum next month in Italy and want to have a go while I'm there.

Reassurance please. Is it a nightmare or do you get used to it quickly? I'll be driving a LHD car btw.

Top tip: Hire an automatic.

ooh good idea, i didn't think of that!

I've not driven abroad but DH has in theUS and Spain. In Spain he forgot to specify automatic and he says it was really wierd changing gear with his right hand. One more thing to concentrate on!

I think that if you are confident on the motorway in this country, everything will be fine. I drove to France earlier this year and was so anxious that I booked the Eurotunnel times so that I would do the first lot of driving in the middle of the night, when the roads were empty and ds fast asleep. That was probably OTT, as after a couple of hours I had got completely used to it. Don't worry! Make sure you read something about Italian road rules and courtesy because they are sometimes different, eg different rules about priority to people turning left in France.

Hiya,
I am American and drove there for years before I ever ventured over to the UK. I don't think it's that difficult to get used to really. But, it helped me to always remember that the driver belongs in the middle of the road, no matter where you are. And, of course, remember that LEFT turns cross traffic.

Good luck.

I'm a confident driver and have no problems with motorways. Been driving for nearly 18 years now. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think ...

driving in the USA is IME alot easier than driving in Europe - bigger roads and saner drivers - I have driven in Spain, round some very narrow roads and streets and it can be quite unnnerving.

Will you be driving in the country or the town?

I think I'll avoid Rome! My mum lives in a little village, so it'll be country roads.

This is all in preparation for a trip to Spain next year where I will have to do all the driving, and quite a lot of it at that.

i lived in amsterdam for 2 yrs and drove there including the manic city centre, you cant get much madder than that!! at certain points you actually have to drive on the tram lines with trams behind you etc!!!! i was driving a LHD and i didnt find the gears to much of a prob, the most confusing part for me was A) roundabouts!? and B) dual caridgeways traffic lights (i used to have english driving flashbacks lol and nearly turned into left side instead of right a few times ) you will be wary at first but you will get in the swing of things very quickly.

xxx

My mum assures me there aren't many roundabouts in italy. We seem to be particularly roundabout crazy in this country.

SM - try living in Milton Keynes

mm - no ta!

I don't have a problem with it but my brain must work back to front or something as it alwasy takes me a while to adjust back here eek

Really, it's not as bad as you might think. I live in Italy and drive here with no problem and frequently pop back to the UK and don't find it difficult adjusting. I don't think the Italians deserve their dreadful reputation of driving, it's much worse in London IMO although I haven't driven in Rome. The quietest time on the roads at the weekend is beween 12.00 and 3.00 (lunch time) as all Italians seem to go to Mama's for family lunch but from 4.00 onwards it can be quite busy ( in the North anyway).

You'll be fine spacemonkey, I drive here in Greece and in the uK.If you have the correct car ie lhd/rhd its really pretty easy to change. The first day or so in a different country I have to remind myself which side of the road I need to be on (I always say to myself that I, as driver need to be in the middle of the road IYSWIM)Roundabouts need care in Greece because its different rules - you go straight on and then give way at next exit so maybe you should check that out. Otherwise after a couple of hours you'll be fine.

Driving!! In Italy OMG!

I once drove from Rome to Florence. Never again. Was a nervous wreck by the time I got there. Italian road rules seem none existant, and the country roads are hard to navigate - I didn't have a co-pilot to map read for me so had to keep stopping to check the map.

agree that you'll be fine spacemonkey, even with manual gear change (although it will feel a bit strange at first, but then you'll be so amazed at how clever you are!!)... when I switched to a british car, I used to find my left hand looking aimlessly for gears that were on the other side....but got used to it quickly. As regards the other side of the road, just think for a second when you get in your car to remind yourself and you won't forget once you're actually driving.
have fun!

I think Rome was the worst part though.

Have driven in France, Germany and Spain with no problems though.

I am going to Rome, but I'll go on the train because everyone says driving there is a nightmare.

I always start out doing what Frenchgirl says - trying to change gear with the hand that usually does it - if you can get an automatic at least you won't have that problem.

Watch out for setting off again, every time you stop, for the first couple of days - even with LHD I tend to aim for the British side of the road to begin with.

(And when you are in the passenger seat try not to apply the handbrake for the driver! )

Hope you have a lovely time!

I think it feels more natural driving on the right after a while. You get used to it very quickly. Beware if hiring a car - I kept trying to open the door when I should have been changing gear. Also, couldn't judge were the kerb was so easily. That could be just me, of course

My biggest problem was that I ways looked up and just outside the driver's side for the rearview mirror. I've got the hang of it now though.

JanH, when my parents visited us last october, I would drive them around and my dad, in the passenger seat, kept doing the handbrake for me amd we'd be in fits of laughter as he coudln't help himself and was perfectly coordinated with my stoppping the car

LOL, Frenchgirl - told DH that tonight, he was very pleased cos he kept doing it too!

sm, he had another helpful hint for you - make sure you get in on the driver's side!