Driving on the other side of the road (Canada)

[Pinkrose13]

Hi all,
How do people drive confidently on the other side of the road when renting a car abroad (Canada)? I've never driven on the right side, we avoided it for years. It makes our holiday experience quite restricted :(

Planning to rent a car this time, please can I ask for advice and tips?

Brit in the US...it’s easy 95% of the time you are following other people so you don’t even think about it.

I agree ^^ have done it loads-sometimes I have had a second of panic if I pull out on an empty road and think I have absolutely no idea which side I should be on but if you remember you pass other cars driver side to driver side it makes it easy.
Roads are much bigger-as are the cars-just remember the traffic lights are often positioned in different places than you will be used to here-they often hang over the road.
Just need to really focus the first day or so-after that it will just come naturally

It's actually easier when there is plenty of other traffic about. At first, it's easy to forget which side of the road you are supposed to be on when there is no other traffic about.B

It soon becomes second nature, even when driving a right hand drive car.

The only places I ever screw up are car parks. Keep concentrated, drive slowly when setting off to reorientate yourself. As soon as you're with other traffic it's fine.

For years I drove a left hand drive in the UK and once I got a right hand drive, I went across to France a few times. That's more complicated as your vision is restricted at times but even that's easy once you get used to it. Driving a car designed for the side of the road the country uses is easy, plus most cars in Canada are automatic so you don't need to change gear. Just remember that you as the driver are next to the middle of the road and tell yourself that frequently.

Live in Canada and you get used to it. Lots easier if you're following someone. Are you planning on driving in a big city?

We did BC, once out of Vancouver the roads are lovely and wide, was easy. Vancouver was pretty easy to navigate too but with a city best check the map before hand for a few days to get it in your head which streets you need etc

Just get in it and drive. It becomes second nature after a few miles.

...and you'll encounter many fewer impatient, aggressive and intolerant drivers over there.

It's fine. A good satnav to give you plenty of warning where you are going is helpful.

I draw a little reminder and stick it to the dash by the steering wheel, it's along the lines of the roundabout reminder you can buy (see through and reversible to stick on the windscreen)

What kalipoli said. It’s really that easy. BUT as with driving anywhere, it requires confidence and knowledge. For instance, stop signs in the US mean very definite things, also I’ve never experienced a roundabout there and you can often turn on a red light.

whichway until it snows, at which point Canadians are just as twatty drivers as anyone else. Six abreast on a four lane highway, since no-one could see the lanes! Ugh. Awful.

Four seasons - almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.

I’ve been in Canada for 8 years now. Turning left took some concentration for the first few goes.

Getting in the wrong side of the car happened a few times! The lack of steering wheel was a bit of a giveaway.

They’re not big on roundabouts. Four way stops instead - clock who was the last there before you.

And don’t forget to stop (and wait) at Stop signs.

Very few roundabouts makes it so easy .. a few left turns under your belt and you will find it very easy ...
watch carefully for the exit signs for collector lanes to avoid missing your exit on motorways !

Good luck - you will manage fine .. have a great trip .
I go every year and love it 😊