Driving in the UK: Rules of the Road, Car Information & More

Learn the language. "Bonnet" means the hood of the car, "boot" means the trunk, "windscreen" is windshield, "bumper" means bumper or fender, "gear stick" is known around the world as gear shift/gear lever, "mobile" is a term for cell phone, "car hire" is car rental, "roundabout" is rotary or traffic circle, "motorway" is a multi-lane expressway, "A-road" is a major road while "B-road" or "C-road" is a minor road, "RTA" is short for "road traffic accident", "slip road" is the ramp leading on or off a motorway. "Single carriageway" is where all the asphalt of a road touches so that no lanes, whether traveling together or opposite, are separated. "Dual carriageway" is a road with both sides of traffic separated by land or space. Make sure you know what these mean before driving on UK roads. More terms can be explored on Wikipedia's "Glossary of road transport terms" page.

Remember that the majority of cars in the UK are manual transmission.^[5] If you cannot drive a manual car, you will have to hire an automatic car because you will not be qualified to drive or insured to drive a manual car. If you have an accident whilst driving a manual that you cannot operate, you may be arrested for dangerous driving which can result in a heavy fine and maybe a custodial sentence.^[6]

Make any necessary modifications to your headlights to adjust the beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers if your car is from a country that normally drives on the right side of the road. Often, there are adhesive or static shields that can be applied to the headlamps. Some cars even have a simple mechanism under the bonnet for adjusting the beam pattern.^[7]

Know the legal requirements. Check with the police about any legal requirements for driving your car/truck in the UK as this can vary for different types of vehicles. Always make sure you have the correct motor insurance policy, failure to do so will result in your vehicle being seized and you being arrested. Make sure the vehicle is road legal to UK standards, failure to do so will void any insurance policy and result in the vehicle being seized.^[8]

• If driving a friend's vehicle always get their permission and check your own insurance policy to make sure you are permitted to drive other vehicles.

Consider the cost of fuel. Be aware that fuel prices in the UK are almost three times higher than in the USA, and hiring a car may also cost more.

Be aware that the UK has speed cameras with automatic number plate recognition. These can be fixed cameras, parked speed-catching vans, or cameras known to be fixed to most police vehicles. Automatic systems in police cars can also confirm whether or not the vehicle is insured or not.^[9]

Think before overtaking. Know that overtaking on motorway or dual carriageway on the inside (known as undertaking) is not illegal, however it may be a valid reason for you being stopped by either an unmarked police car or a police car with decals.^[10]

• In the UK, the left hand lane is considered the "slow lane" and some drivers may pull over without checking properly which can cause an accident.
• Be aware that using the hard shoulder of a motorway to undertake vehicles will also result in a possible arrest.

Watch for bus lanes. Be aware that in some cities, there are bus lanes (Indicated by road signs, the words "BUS LANE" in large letters across the road, and occasionally the tarmac will be colored red). Only public buses and emergency service vehicles are permitted to use this lane (taxis, motorcycles, bicycles can if sign posted) at the times that are displayed. Outside of the hours of operation, anyone can drive in the bus lane. Anyone else will be photographed (automatic cameras) and fined £60 for using this lane when the bus lane is in operation. (Approximately $100 USD).^[11]