Adventures in Cross-Side Driving: A Personal Journey

Have you ever dared to rent a car in the UK or any other country where they drive on the left? I certainly haven't, and yet I have traveled and lived in countries where driving practices vary wildly. Having navigated left and right-hand drive vehicles, changing sides is no daunting task for me.

Experiences Across the Globe

My adventures in driving began in places where the rules of the road are different. I’ve rented cars in Jamaica and Ireland, ensuring that I opted for an automatic transmission to avoid the added challenge of shifting gears with a left-hand drive. The unfamiliarity was initially bewildering, especially when dealing with large roundabouts that operate in the opposite direction to what I was used to. Some roundabouts even have multiple lanes, making the exit process more complex. It's essential to stay on the left after exiting, which required a bit of practice and attention to detail.

Adjusting to the Right

Conversely, as someone hailing from the UK, driving in countries that prefer right-hand drive presented its own set of challenges. The first time I hired a car in the USA, I spent 10 minutes circling the hotel car park before venturing onto the road. Once I did, I quickly adjusted and drove with minimal issues. Similarly, driving in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain was not particularly difficult, but I found it amusing when my wife drove in Spain, often driving much too close to the verge, which seemed unnaturally dangerous to my eyes.

A Personal Swap Experience

The hardest task for me was driving my own car on the “wrong” side. This complete swap of sides was actually much easier than I anticipated. The difficulty lay more in the mental adjustment and the initial confusion of driving in the opposite direction.

A Business Perspective

Language and driving practices are not the only things that differed in my professional life. I worked on a UK-US aerospace project, often spending time in both countries. I drive an automatic and am comfortable with driving on either side of the road. Our team would frequently use Gatwick airport and American Airlines. One of the notable experiences was the exit from the car hire lot at Gatwick, which leads directly to a roundabout. This was a relatively straightforward process, but the challenge came when American Airlines forgot to preorder an automatic car. Most cars in the UK are manual, so we found ourselves in a shift stick car after a 10-hour flight, sitting on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road. The first thing we encountered was a roundabout. It was a unique experience, but I have to admit, we never had any accidents despite the challenges.

Conclusion

Driving in countries with different driving norms can be a thrilling but challenging experience. While cross-side driving might seem intimidating at first, with the right mindset and practice, it can be much easier than anticipated. Whether you're renting a car in the UK or driving your own car in a foreign country, staying alert and adapting to the local rules of the road can turn an intimidating task into a seamless one.