Driving on the wrong side of the road

[Mordac]

No, we're not talking about murderous wives of diplomats.

I have driven on the correct side of the road for many, many years now (that's the left for you lot in forrin lands) and am of reasonable competence (no worse than most, certainly not a professional). I would love to do more driving whilst on holiday in Europe but am seriously nervous about it. I've searched on and off for years trying to find driving lessons I could take to boost my confidence a bit but, other than one travel company who no longer do it, I can't find anything.

Is it really a case of JFDI and stop being a wuss or is there anything practical I can do to prepare?

No idea when this will happen, given the current circumstances, but it's what's bugging me this morning.

Serious advice: avoid Italy*, and always hire an automatic. It's actually quite easy to get used to driving on the right (although most of my experience has been in the USA). Find some quiet side streets (or drive round the car-park for a bit) to get used to it. If you have an auto, gear changes are one less thing to worry about.

*I once made the mistake of letting my wife make the hire-car arrangements, and I had to get a LHD manual Fiat Punto round Milan in the morning rush-hour. Every cliche you've ever heard about driving in Italy is true, and then some.
Having survived that, I think I could survive anything...

[ladymuck]

I thought you said you would have a hangover!

My memory isn't what it used to be

[ladymuck]

Are you thinking about taking a UK car to drive in Europe, or hiring a car when abroad?

It is strange, but you get used to it very quickly, so man up and JFDI

Hiring abroad. Baby steps, and all that.

[Old Greg]

My memory isn't what it used to be

Alcohol and Memory Loss | Alcohol.org

[Gibbon]

*I once made the mistake of letting my wife make the hire-car arrangements, and I had to get a LHD manual Fiat Punto round Milan in the morning rush-hour. Every cliche you've ever heard about driving in Italy is true, and then some.
Having survived that, I think I could survive anything...

I driven all over Italy from Verona to Puglia and I find you have to go 'local' and then its easy as there are no rules, just drive where you want. Well apart from the auto carta lane when coming off an auto strada, was quite embarrassing haven't ask a large queue to reverse and let me out

[BR14]

i've never had any issues.
L/RHD cars, vans, bikes, europe. middle east, americas, no problems

[NotAllThere]

Serious advice: avoid Italy*, and always hire an automatic. It's actually quite easy to get used to driving on the right (although most of my experience has been in the USA). Find some quiet side streets (or drive round the car-park for a bit) to get used to it. If you have an auto, gear changes are one less thing to worry about.

*I once made the mistake of letting my wife make the hire-car arrangements, and I had to get a LHD manual Fiat Punto round Milan in the morning rush-hour. Every cliche you've ever heard about driving in Italy is true, and then some.
Having survived that, I think I could survive anything...

I've driven on the autostrada around Milan a few times. Always crazy. Though it was easier when I realised the 140km/h limit is to be treated as a minimum.

Serbia was terrifying. Mainly due to the Turks driving through - Serbia is the 1000km point from Germany, so by that time they're a bit erratic.

The Arc de Triomph is always fun - barrel on at full speed, then slam your brakes on to give way to the right.

[WTFH]

i've never had any issues.
L/RHD cars, vans, bikes, europe. middle east, americas, no problems

I think you're talking horsesh.....

[woohoo]

The Arc de Triomph is always fun - barrel on at full speed, then slam your brakes on to give way to the right.

I remember watching a car squeeze into a tight parking space in Paris. The parking consisted of shunting the car behind and then front to make enough room.

The people I was with said they have a good car and a "Paris" car. The Paris car get's banged to hell.

[ladymuck]

I've only been to Paris once. We took a taxi from the hotel to somewhere that required going round the triumphal arch. I was convinced we were going to get shunted from all angles. I swear the taxi driver took a more dangerous approach as he was laughing with glee at me thinking I was going to die.

The only time I've seen a Frenchman laugh, come to think of it.