A dream vacation can quickly become quite the opposite if things don’t go as planned.
If you plan to rent a vehicle after you arrive, you’ll want everything to go off without a hitch.
Traveling to another country always presents the opportunity to discover new places, cultures, and landscapes. Sometimes, doing all of the above is easier if you have a set of wheels. But if you live in a country where people drive on the right side of the road and vacation in a country where they drive on the left side of the road, you’ll have to adapt quickly.
In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, citizens drive on the left side of the road. This may prove to be quite challenging for visitors who are used to driving on the opposite side. Failing to make the adjustment can easily lead to traffic violations and subsequent charges that require the involvement of a criminal defense attorney.
Here are five important tips to consider if you travel abroad and rent a vehicle in a country.
1. Take Time to Familiarize Yourself With the Vehicle
The first thing you’ll notice when visiting a foreign country where citizens drive on the left side of the road is that the steering wheel will always be on the right-hand side of the vehicle. This may be quite challenging and intimidating if you’ve ever driven such a car before, especially when used to steering wheels being on the left-hand side of vehicles.
Before you start to drive, take some time to get familiar with your rental car. If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, remember you’ll need to use your left hand instead of your right hand. Driving in a quiet parking lot or low-traffic area is also helpful if you want to get familiar with your vehicle before moving on to busier streets.
2. Start With Short, Low-Stress Drives
If you still feel nervous about driving on the left side of the road, you could start with short drives. You could start with short drives to less-populated areas where there may be less heavy traffic. You can, by so doing, gain more confidence before taking longer trips.
For most people, driving on the opposite side of the road is not as difficult as they think. It might just take a bit of time to get used to doing so.
3. Stay Alert When Making Turns
Making turns at intersections may require more concentration when driving on the opposite side of the road. For some drivers, making turns may be among the major causes of defaulting back to their original way of driving.
When making a left turn in a country where the flow of traffic is on the left, the turn could be shorter and closer to your side of the road. The right turn could require crossing over oncoming traffic, similar to making a left turn in a country wherein the flow of traffic is on the right.
4. Pay Close Attention When Approaching Roundabouts
Be wary when approaching intersections and roundabouts. Roundabouts are common in countries where people drive on the left side of the road. When entering roundabouts, you must turn right and then proceed in the clockwise direction in the roundabouts, yielding to the right before entering roundabouts.
Moreover, the use of navigation apps that provide good turn-by-turn directions can help minimize confusion when driving. Many car rental companies include in-car navigation.
5. Stay Near the Center Line
Another tip to consider when driving overseas is that it’s always wise to stay near the center line, as opposed to staying near the curb or edge of the road. When traveling in countries where drivers operate their vehicles on the left side of the road, the driver’s seat is positioned nearer to the center line, as this divides the road with oncoming traffic.
Staying close to the center line while driving on the left side of the road will help you stay safer while operating a vehicle.
Enjoying the Freedom of the Open Road
Driving on the left side of the road may seem like a daunting task, especially if it’s not done before. But most people get used to it with a little practice.
If properly prepared and with the right mindset, driving on the left side of the road will be just another adventure that’s sure to bring great memories of your international travel adventures.
Last Updated on March 25, 2026
