Advice sought for driving abroad

Some of us have moved abroad and needed to carry on driving. It's not such a big deal if you take it slowly. If you were to arrive in France via a ferry and then hired a car you would be somewhere where the roads are not so busy.

The outskirts of Paris are to be avoided, obviously, but french roads have far less traffic than those in the UK.

Going round a roundabout anti-clockwise soon becomes second nature. Changing gear with your right-hand seems wierd at first but if you don't rush yourself and think about it as you enter the driving seat I am sure you'll soon be relaxed and coping.

I found that I adapted very quickly when driving abroad,as flower stated roundabouts become second nature just remember that the traffic lights are more often set much higher up than in UK,I found an automatic car easier to use than manual until I got used to the change. Good luck and enjoy.

One of the joys of driving abroad (I have driven in France, Ireland and the US) is that the roads are far less crowded and this makes it much easier for anyone driving abroad to take their time getting used to the car and the driving.

By hiring when you get there the driving position will be on the right side of the car so there will be no difficulties overtaking and you are less likely to inadvertently drive on the wrong side of the road. I mainly drive a British car in France and on one or two occasions on empty roads have driven on the wrong side for a short distance. I usually cope by reminding myself to 'always drive in the gutter'.

I've done France and other bits of Europe in my own car, and then hired a car in the US. Was terrified about the latter, as I had never done an automatic or LHD and was delighted with how easy it was to adapt. Take it slowly at first and you will be fine.

In the US, I did find that when putting on the handbrake, I always put my left hand into the door pocket first before using the other hand and apply the brake!

Apart from big cities, I have found that most of 'abroad' has far lighter density of traffic compared to here, which helps - and that seems to make them less likely to be aggressive drivers, so you don't get tailgated.

As i divide my life between Spain and the UK, I am always "chopping and changing" cars and of course, driving on different sides of the road.

If you hire a left hand drive car, then it all fits together with driving on the different side abroad. Much more tricky for overtaking if you take your right hand drive car abroad to use.

In Spain, most Spanish drivers do not observe the roundabout rules, so always, always approach with due care and attention as they just zoom around with out bothering to look!!

I have driven in Italy, France, USA and Scandinavian countries and had no problems in adjusting.

Also, as other gransnetters have mentioned, apart from the major cities, the roads abroad are much quieter and signposting has improved no end.

Take the plunge.....you will have many more adventures and find lots of places along the way.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and encouragement - much appreciated.
There certainly seems to be a strong case for hiring at the destination, rather than taking your own car. Nice to know that roads are quieter abroad!

I've always found that hiring a car on a Sunday is a good idea as the roads are pretty empty and it gives me a chance to get the feel of driving. In the US we usually stay overnight in an airport hotel and pick up the car or have it delivered the next day . Stops jet lag and rational thought returns.

Good tip Stansgran - thank you.

I can only endorse what everybody else has said. Roads in France will not be as busy as in the UK, and starting on a Sunday is a good idea.
Remember to carry your documents with you in the car, and you will need to check with the hire company that they have provided the legal essentials - spare bulbs and fuses, two warning triangles, and now a one-use breathalyser (they are very cheap and should be available at the ferry port).
Driving standards are higher in the UK, believe it or not, and HGV's in France have a habit of driving right up your exhaust, but do not let them bully you into going faster than you want. If you break the speed limit and get 'flashed' or stopped by the police, there is a hefty (90 euro) fine. If you take your UK registered car abroad, it is not usually possible for the fine to be enforced, but in Spain I was once taken to a cash point and had to pay the fine on the spot.

Take your time, don't be rushed by other people. Don't pull up too close to traffic lights, as the overhead gantry type may be too high, but there is usally a little one at the side of the road as well.

Driving a LHD hire car is probably better than trying to drive your UK car in France - the driving position puts you where you should be in relation to the road and is a constant reminder to Drive on the Right.

Like others, I constantly switch between hire cars in the UK and my own car in France but you very soon get used to it. I found at first that leaving a petrol station or car park was a danger point so I learned to be particularly alert.

Driving in France is a pleasure - in my area of the Alps I regard four cars as a traffic jam.
Of course, at the moment I am driving in New Zealand - on the left with all the signs in English!
You can download the French Highway Code, or just google 'French Traffic Signs' but they are mostly the same world wide.
Beware the 'priority to the right' rule which means that people entering even a major road from the right just drive straight out. It is now mostly found only on small country roads, but there is a special sign, like a large X, to indicate you do not have right of way at a junction.
Have a wonderful holiday, and just relax!

Thank you very much greatnan for your comprehensive guide and tips. I can hardly wait to get going!

I've driven in Germany for over 35 years and got my licence here. When we lived for 5 years in the UK we took our car with us as we found having the gears on our right hand side just easier. In Manchester I found that the rule of checking what the car behind you was doing was a German thing. It was enough to check the driver in front.
The Germans are fast drivers but mostly disciplined on the motorway, but you have to keep your eye on the cars behind.
Driving is expensive in Switzerland as you almost certainly get a ticket for speeding - not for going fast but for doing 37 km an hour when you are in a 30 only area. In Austria where there are many tunnels and you have to queue up, you must always leave the middle if the road free as escape route.
You need a Vignette ( permission for the motorways) for a week or longer. You need one for Austria and Switzerland and have to buy them beforehand- or else pay a fine!
Take care on small roads and leaving shops etc. thats when you forget you have to keep right.

I forgot to say that in France you must carry a high visibility gilet for every passenger - again the car hire company should provide them. I drape mine over the back of my seats so the police can see I have them.

Would add that priority to the right also applies in many towns and villages. If junctions are not marked in towns then PAD (priorité a droite) probably applies. It sounds alarming, but really you just need to approach junctions with care. As Greatnan says in the countryside it is marked by an X. They love them round here!

France is a lovely easy place to drive , as long as you remember which side of the road to be on . Much less traffic , remember many moons ago driving down to the South of france with an overnight stop for several years running _ Bliss !

Now I go to the good old US of A more Bliss .

Enjoy as i am sure you will do . [Sunshine] hope you get plenty of it