Last Updated on 3 years by UK Malayali
Practical Self-driving Tips for Indian Tourists in the UK
The best way to see and feel a country is to drive through it. Through the windshield, England, with its undulating green hills and meadows, Scotland, with its glens and woods, and Wales and Ireland, with their rugged beauty, must be seen. Visitors to the UK for the first time may be apprehensive about driving, but the right-hand drive makes things easier. Here are some tips for driving in the United Kingdom.
How to Hire: Many companies, such as Hertz and Enterprise, offer car rental services in all major cities across the United Kingdom. To find the best deals, compare prices on sites such as travelsupermarket.com, travelmart.com, and via.com, among others. Automatic transmission and higher-priced vehicles can be more expensive than lower-priced vehicles.
By providing credit card information, the car can be reserved without making a payment. Cancellation is free for the first 48 hours; however, the company may charge a small fee for this service. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a good deal.
If you rent a car in one city and return it in another, the rental company will usually charge you.
Payments must be made with an internationally valid credit card. In addition to their original driving licence, Indian citizens must obtain an international driving permit from the local RTO.
Insurance is a critical consideration. Models are classified into two types. In one model, you are charged for any damages up to a certain amount, usually £1,000, and the insurer covers anything above that. This model is less expensive and is typically included as part of the package. The second model, zero liability insurance, has a higher premium.
Pros
• We drive on the same side of the road as in India
• You can read and understand all signage and road directions
• There is no hassle filling up at gas stations
• Extremely efficient GPS-guided maps are usually included with vehicles, particularly in higher-end models, and may be charged in lower-end models. Britain has some of Europe’s most beautiful countryside, and having your own car allows you to travel at your own pace and visit off-the-beaten-path locations.
Cons
• Driving in the United Kingdom necessitates a great deal of patience. The national highway speed limit, for example, is 70 mph (approximately 112 kmph), but it is reduced to 30 mph in urban areas and 20 mph (32 kmph) in built-up areas.
• There are numerous parking restrictions, even for short periods of time. In comparison to India, roads in UK cities are narrower, and there are fewer parking spaces available. Parking is usually paid, and in high-traffic areas, it can cost up to £1 per hour.
• The majority of mid-tier hotels, such as do not offer free parking. As a result, this could cost an extra payment which s considerable.
• The country roads in Scotland’s Highlands are narrow and winding (just like Himalayan roads in India). Because there are few towns in between, the car rental company may take longer to provide assistance in the event of a breakdown.
• You must fill up your car at the gas pumps on your own. As a result, it is preferable to learn the specifics of the operations.
• The price of gasoline varies by location. It is less expensive in smaller towns and more expensive on highways. So, if you’re going to the countryside, fill up your tank to save money.
Other Considerations and General Concerns
• Even in the face of extreme provocation, never lose your cool on the road. You might be a little nervous or reckless at first, and you might get some honking from other irritated drivers, but just smile, apologise, and move on. Getting into trouble in a foreign country is never a good idea. It has the potential to sabotage your journey.
• Never, ever honk your horn. Using a horn is considered abusive in the United Kingdom. Simply abandon your Indian habit of honking at turns or road crossings, which we regard as part of safe driving habits in India. You must expect the other driver to come to a complete stop.
•So, go ahead and rent a car of your choice, and then simply zip through the roads of the United Kingdom. People are polite and friendly, and you can strike up interesting conversations with them. Enjoy the benefits of being a Commonwealth citizen, as well as India and the United Kingdom’s shared history.
Tips for driving in UK
Drive on the left side of the road: If you drive on the right, you will almost certainly be involved in a serious collision or killed, and you will be arrested for dangerous driving, which is a criminal offence that may result in a prison sentence.
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.
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.
Always give way to the right, not the left like in the USA or continental European countries.
If your car was purchased in a country where driving on the right side of the road is the norm, make any necessary modifications to your headlights to adjust the beam to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. For use on headlamps, adhesive or static shields are frequently available. Some vehicles even have an under-the-hood mechanism that allows the beam pattern to be adjusted.
Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The UK has very strict alcohol and drug laws, and many police officers pull over cars to conduct random drug and alcohol tests on drivers. According to the police and the courts, drinking alcohol automatically makes you guilty in an accident, even if it was not your fault. Refusing to provide a breath or urine sample when requested is a crime that will result in your arrest.
If you are stopped by the police, wait for instructions before acting. Always do as you’re told without complaining, and never assume that just because you’re polite, you’ll get away with any offence you’ve committed. When asked for identification, always provide it.
• When driving, you should always have a valid driver’s licence and proof of vehicle insurance with you.
• Unlike in many other countries, the UK police do not need permission or a reason to stop and search you, your belongings (handbag, rucksack, or pockets), or your vehicle if stopped while driving. If you try to stop them, you will be detained or arrested.
Consider your options before overtaking. Overtaking on a motorway or dual carriageway on the inside (known as undertaking) is not illegal, but it may be a valid reason for you to be pulled over by an unmarked police car or a police car with decals.
• In the United Kingdom, the left lane is considered the “slow lane,” and some drivers may pull over without properly checking, resulting in an accident.
• Be aware that using the hard shoulder of a highway to overtake vehicles may result in an arrest.
Be aware that the United Kingdom has speed cameras equipped with automatic number plate recognition. These can be fixed cameras, parked speeding vans, or cameras that are known to be installed on the majority of police vehicles. In addition, automatic systems in police cars can confirm whether or not the vehicle is insured.
Understand the legal requirements. Always make sure you have the proper motor insurance policy; failing to do so will result in the seizure of your vehicle and your arrest. Check that the vehicle is road legal according to UK standards; failing to do so will void any insurance policy and result in the vehicle being seized.
• Always obtain permission before driving a friend’s vehicle and check your own insurance policy to ensure you are permitted to drive other vehicles.
Don’t speed. The speed limits on the motorways are 60mph (96km/h) for goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, 60mph (96km/h) for buses and coaches and 70mph (112km/h) for cars. Be aware that although punishments aren’t set until you break the 10 percent rule, 1 kph or mph over the speed limit is legally considered speeding and can warrant a law enforcement officer to pull you over. 35 mph (56 kph) in a 30 mph (48 kph) zone is considered high enough to warrant a £100 fine automatically, while 75 mph (121 kph) in a 70 mph (113 kph) zone is not; but this doesn’t mean a fine is not possible.
Consider the cost of fuel. Be aware that fuel prices in the UK are on the higher side.
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 coloured 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. Otherwise there will be fines. ..