How difficult is it to learn to drive on the other side of the road, when visiting or moving to another country?

Asked by Yellowdog (12216

) March 15th, 2019

The British empire, Australia, Ireland, and a few others drive on the Left. North America and most of Europe and the rest of the world drive on the right.

I’m sure a lot of jellies here have had to adapt. It seems to me to be the most stressful thing about moving to another land. Yet it is also part of what makes such a trek or move so enthralling and enticing—part of the unique atmosphere / sense of place—which can only be experienced by doing it.

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4 Answers

Not hard. I learned to drive here in the US. I have rented cars and driven in Australia and the UK. It takes about 10–15 minutes to get the hang of driving on the other side of the road.

Right turns are tricky the first couple of times. Left turns were simply. Traffic circles (the ‘wrong’ way) were a challenge the first hour or so.

But within 30–60 minutes, it feels normal. I had no problems.

elbanditoroso (33518

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The hardest part is if you aren’t thinking about it every second for the first few weeks. You let 30 years of driving habits take over.

Dutchess_III (47049

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When my dad went to Australia, he said the hard part wasn’t driving on the left side of the road, but sitting on the right side of the car. That seemed to throw him for a loop and he ended up clipping a mirror.

Demosthenes (15218

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