Planning a road trip, no matter what your destination, takes courage, determination and a whole bunch of planning. It’s really important that you do your homework and read up on where you’re going. That way you can be prepared for pretty much anything that comes your way!
Have you decided to go to the UK? Maybe you’re interested in the history of the country, the Royal Family (especially after the recent Royal Wedding!), or seeing the incredibly diverse landscapes? No matter what your reason, you’ve chosen the UK for your road trip – good choice!
But driving in the UK is quite different to driving in the States. There are different rules on British roads that you need to be aware of before you set off on your road trip. That’s where your homework comes in! Alongside looking at the usual things like places to stay and where to fill up, make sure you’ve got a good grasp of how the Brits drive in the UK.
We’ve put together some useful tips and information about what to be aware of when planning and doing a road trip in the UK.
Route prep, planning and driving on the left
The first thing to say here is don’t be put off by the fact that they drive on the left in the UK. It will probably feel a bit weird at first but you’ll soon get used to it!
Top Tip: Try practicing on quieter roads first and doing a few laps to get used to how it feels. When you arrive, speak to someone local and see if they know a good place for you to go and get some practice in before you hit the road.
Before you leave, make sure you know your route inside out. Don’t just think about your end destination but set yourself goals throughout your trip. There are so many amazing things to stop off and see in the UK, from ruined castles to breath-taking views and cute villages nestled together. Plan so that you can maximize on all of these experiences – don’t just drive past them!
Another awesome way of experiencing the UK is to stay in all the authentic places along your route. Make you spend some time in a stone cottage, a family-run B&B or even on a canal boat for the night!
Roundabouts and how to handle them
With the whole “driving on the left” thing comes the UK’s love of roundabouts. They’re quite common in the UK at points where multiple roads meet. They come in a variety of sizes and some are traffic light controlled. Roundabouts always move in a clockwise direction and you give way to traffic when entering a roundabout.
Top Tip: Know the exit you need to take before going on the roundabout. This will help you to get into the correct lane, if there’s more than one, and signal off the roundabout at the correct time.
If you’re taking the first exit off a roundabout then you should signal left and if you’re going right at the roundabout then you should put your right signal on. Just make sure you bear in mind than not everyone signals at roundabouts, so it’s a good idea to slow right down on the approach.
Watch out for cyclists
Cyclists often use the road network in the UK and they sometimes go out in groups. Make sure that no matter where you’re driving, whether it’s in a city or down a rural country lane, you’re always aware of potential cyclists. They’ll typically be travelling tucked into the curb so they’ll be on your left-hand side if they’re going in the same direction as you.
Top Tip: Cyclists may also overtake on the right if you’re stuck in slow moving traffic so just make sure you do a quick check in your rear-view mirrors before turning any corner.
Best driving times and other tips
Just like in the States there are times that you should try and avoid being out on the roads in the UK. This does depend on where you are, but generally speaking rush hour traffic in the morning is between 7am and 10 am and again between 4pm and 7pm. This also covers the school traffic too although in the school holidays this can reduce traffic in more populated areas.
Another thing to be aware of is that the UK uses miles per hour to measure speed limits and miles to measure distances. Also, be careful of narrow roads as these are quite common in the UK and can feel unfamiliar to drive on. Watch out for pedestrianized areas too, but these will be clearly marked in advance and are usually located in towns or a city center.
Top Tip: Buy yourself a copy of the UK Highway Code before you start your road trip. You can even get little travel-size ones that you can bring with you to refer back to!
The UK has a whole bunch of amazing offerings that will guarantee your trip is an incredible experience. Make sure you plan your road trip carefully and once all your homework is out the way, you can kick back and enjoy a Great British experience!
Produced in collaboration with Keith Michaels Insurance
