Part of the fun of traveling internationally is that with each new country you visit, you’ll discover new customs, ways of being, and rules of the road. Depending on where you are going and where you are from, you might be faced with a language you don’t understand or societal norms or perspectives that are very different from your own. In other instances, you might share the same language but find that driving can be very different, and you may have some trouble understanding regional dialects or adapting to local habits.
Before you arrive in the UK, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the different rules of the road there. When you feel comfortable with your new environment, it will make traveling less stressful and you’ll feel you have less to worry about. There are so many beautiful places you will want to visit and see outside of London, so you’ll want to arrange a van hire in london before you arrive. Hiring a van will give you the freedom to travel anywhere, on your own schedule, and also offer your more room and comfort.
Age for Driving and Car Hire
Visitors to the UK need a full license, and have to be 17 years of age at a minimum. If you plan on renting a vehicle, then you should also be aware of car hire company rules that may apply.
Most of the car hire firms will require potential driver’s to be over 21. They may charge extra fees for any drivers under the age of 25.
General Rules for Driving
In the UK, you have to drive on the left side of the street or highway. While driving, follow all posted road signs and speed limits. Everyone within the vehicle must be wearing a seat belt, and there has to be a seat belt that is available for each of the passengers.
For instance, if your vehicle only has three seat belts in the back seat, then you can not have four passengers sitting there. You are allowed to take your seat belt off when you are in reverse and need to see more clearly while you are backing up.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts can be quite confusing at times. If you are visiting the UK from a country where you normally drive on the right, the introduction of roundabouts where you drive from the left can present a challenge.
In the UK, you give way to traffic already on the roundabout; those vehicles will be heading toward you from the right. Always turn left when you enter the roundabout, and flow in a direction that is clockwise.
Pedestrian Crossings
In the UK there are several types of pedestrian crossings, all seemingly creatively named. As you travel, you will come across Zebra, Pelican, and Puffin crossings. Zebra crossings are so named because they are marked by black and white stripes on the road; they also have yellow flashing beacons.
Pelican and Puffin crossing are similar, and neither have stripes on the road. When a pedestrian wishes to cross, the colour will change on the traffic light and a walk signal will activate. With a Pelican crossing, you press a button to activate it. Puffin crossings have more intelligent feature, with sensors to detect the presence of a pedestrian. They can also adjust the timing of the lights.