What is Driving Like in London, England

0
674
Driving Like in London, England

Driving in London has a reputation for being tricky even for experienced drivers. And that’s not at all surprising because London is a city that never sleeps, meaning the roads are almost always busy and you’re sure to meet a few challenges. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the things you should expect when driving in London. So buckle up, fasten your seatbelts, and let’s dive right in. 

The Rush Hours 

Driving in London for the first time may feel like you’re learning how to drive all over again. The hassle can be quite exhausting, too. 

During the morning, the hours between 7 AM and 10 AM are typically the morning rush hour. People go to work. Others, meanwhile, are traveling home from work. Cars and public transports are moving a lot slower. 

Meanwhile, the evening rush hour often starts at 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Many people will be traveling home from a full day’s work, while equally as many are on their way to start evening work. 

Driving at Night

You can rest from the day’s roadworks, traffic, and inconveniences when you drive at night. 

London roads become less demanding at night since they’re free of daytime clutter. There are fewer buses and traffic is light. Only occasional pedestrians are on crossings. 

Being Prepared for London Roads 

Whether you’re driving your own car or using a car rental service, overcoming the challenges of driving on London roads comes down to knowing what to do when faced with it. 

Here are some things you need to consider when driving in London. 

Know the Road Rules and Regulations 

You may find that driving in London is a lot different from driving in your own country. That’s especially true if you pay attention to the rules, road signs, markings, and speed limits.

Get familiar with London highway code and safety regulations before your floor the gas pedal. Learn the meaning of the parking lines, passing, giving way, yielding, and many more.

Switching to the Left

In London, you have to drive on the left side of the road. And making the switch is not an easy task; it just doesn’t feel normal. 

As a result, you need to be extra careful, as habits and the feeling of learning to drive for the first time can lead to unpleasant scenarios on the road. 

Renting a Car in London 

It’s highly likely you’re going to rent a car when in London. You have a few things to consider. 

Essentially, you need to rent a car that you’re confident about driving. If you’re not confident with your manual driving skills, get an automatic car.

If you choose a manual car, take the time to learn, and get familiar with the controls. Know where the car mirrors are. Know where to control the headlights and wipers. Familiarize with changing gears from the first to the second quickly for roundabouts. 

Car rental services in London abound. Try StressFreeCarRental.com to experience great service. 

Car Parking in London 

One last thing to consider before hitting the road is about parking rules and regulations in London

Most roads are narrow, so you’ll often find cars parked in half the driving lanes on both sides of the road. 

Still, don’t park your vehicle anywhere without knowing the area’s parking rules. 

You can park on roads where there’s a yellow line. Red lines mean you cannot park on a certain road. Lastly, make sure you park on your left side, not on the right side of the opposite lane. This must be followed even when there’s a parking space available on the opposite side.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here