Q&A for How to Drive in the UK

In the UK, the driver sits on the right side of the vehicle and we drive on the left side of the road. So you would be on the 'inside' of the road, just as in the US.

No. There is no equivalent of the US's turn on red. Under all circumstances, red means stop.

Before traveling, find out the rental requirements from the place you intend to rent your vehicle from.

Drivers on the right have priority while driving in the UK.

You need to apply for a provisional license and take lessons from approved driving instructors. There are two tests you need to pass: theory and a practical driving test.

Although the majority of cars in the UK are manual, there are some automatic cars available. Keep in mind that the costs associated with automatic cars (e.g. rental, insurance, financing) are slightly higher.

It is not a requirement, but it will make things easier with the rental company and if you get stopped by police.

Traffic already on the roundabout has priority. As you approach, look ahead to the right and observe any traffic entering or coming around the roundabout. If it is clear, go straight on and leave at your chosen exit. If there are different lanes when approaching the roundabout, use the left lane for exits to the left or straight on and the right hand lane for exits past 12 o'clock unless road markings tell you otherwise. If turning left indicate left as you approach, if going straight on only indicate left as you pass the exit just before the one you want and if going right indicate right when approaching and left as you approach your exit.

You can drive any small vehicle (car or motorcycle) listed on your valid licence for 12 months from when you last entered the UK.

No there are not, but you can watch videos on YouTube to help prepare yourself.

No, you must not use the hard shoulder on any UK motorway unless you have a breakdown or are instructed to do so by the police or road traffic signage that may tell you to do so.

No. While there are similarities, British road signs follow their own convention. Compared to the USA and Canada, UK road signs lean slightly more heavily on iconography (symbols). In general, UK road signs are shaped and colored consistently, once you've learned the pattern. For example, a triangle pointing down means "give way", a red triangle pointing up warns of a hazard such as the road narrowing ahead, and a red circle indicates something you must not do (a speed limit or vehicle weight restriction).

Traffic lights in the UK are phased as follows: Red - stop, red-and-amber - get ready (changing to green soon), green - go, amber - stop if safe to do so (changing to red soon). You might also see flashing amber on lights at pedestrian crossings. This means "proceed with caution"; i.e. if all pedestrians have vacated the crossing and it's safe to do so, you can move through the crossing. Whether the traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing go from red to green via a red-and-amber or a flashing amber light depends on the type of pedestrian crossing or whether it has pedestrian-facing motion sensors. Some UK traffic lights are "part time" and are turned off entirely at less-busy times.

The official emergency services number in the UK is 999. The European-wide number 112 also works. The US-specific number 911 will also often work (works from all landlines and many mobile networks).

Green flashing lights on a vehicle identify a doctor on call. It's rarely seen and does not grant any legal privileges (a doctor on call is not allowed to speed, run lights, and you don't have to give way to them).

Cars in the UK have the pedals laid out the same as in the US and elsewhere in the world: accelerator ("gas") on the right, brake in the middle, clutch on the left. Cars with automatic transmission don't have a clutch, of course.

As P plates have no statutory meaning, any driver may technically use them. Try to drive at a speed that fits the road conditions and won't unnecessarily impede the flow of traffic - driving far slower than other road users may increase the risk of an accident. In the event that you do get into an accident, turn on your hazard lights, turn off your engine, call emergency services, be prepared to provide first aid if required, and remain at the scene (Highway Code Rule 283). If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury you must stop, and provide your name, address, and registration number to anyone reasonably requiring this information (Highway Code Rule 286/RTA 1988 §17).

In general, there is not a minimum speed limit, but you should avoid driving unduly slowly. Minimum speed limits are only in force if you see a circular sign with a blue background and a number on it. The minimum speed limit ends when you see the same sign with a diagonal red line through it.