I'm doing foreign exhange either this coming school year, or senior year. I would like to know all the specifics of driving a car in Cardiff, Wales. Maybe all the differences between driving in the states and in europe....this is sorta important, I would hate to look like an ignorant american...thats one of the things I cant stand in movies and such....
Plus, if anyone who has been to Cardiff or in the general area feels like telling me about it that would be super appreciated! Good answers above mine so I will just say that it would be wise to familiarise yourself with our "Highway Code" before you start driving on our roads...and maybe take a few lessons with a qualified instructor to get used to the roads before you venture out on your own because our roads are very congested. Also make sure that you are old enough and have the correct licence for the type of vehicle you wish to drive here...
The Highway Code can be found here...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTra... The most obvious difference is driving on the left-hand side of the road in the UK. Additionally, in Europe in general nearly all vehicles - including rentals - are manual transmission. Even being used to a manual transmission, it was difficult to think about staying on the left-hand side of the road AND shifting with the left hand, etc. Also, many of the side roads in Britain are very narrow by American standards (think unpaved road that's roughly 1-1/2 lanes in actual width - they can be very narrow with little leeway to pass an on-coming car, especially when you are getting used to the spatial difference of being on the other side of the road).
Also, Britain has an EXCELLENT train system. You might find it easier to take the train to Cardiff and then rent a car once you are there. That way, you can enjoy the scenery, chat with a few people on the train, and generally relax, rather than trying to get used to driving over a long distance.
Most of the rest of Europe - France, Germany, Italy, etc., etc., - drive on the same side of the road as the US, and have fairly similar driving requirements/standards. The road signage and warnings are a little bit different - so you will want to review their roadway symbols before driving extensively - you could get yourself in a bit of trouble. Once again, the roads -- There are good main highways such as the autobahn (Germany) and autostrada (Italy) which are a lot like our interstate system. (Some areas of the autobahn do not have a speed limit - if you are driving on them - stay out of the far left-hand lane unless you plan to do well over 100 miles an hour (160kph - more like 220-240 kph) because the Mercedez and BMW's will flat run over you! Don't even think about going slow and expecting them to pass you on the right!
At least when I lived in Italy (2001-2003), you never stopped at a stop sign if there wasn't a car coming - because if you stopped when no car was coming, and the guy behind you hit you - it was your fault! Hello Hailey,
Here are the things you need to know about driving in England, Wales, Scotland.
We drive on the opposite side of the road, most cars are stick shift, and if you passed your test in an automatic car in the US, you are not allowed to operate a stick shift.
There are many traffic lights in England and you can not turn on any red signal. Traffic lights have three colors, red, amber and green, if you are approaching a light and it is green, but then turns amber prior to you reaching the light, you must stop, the lights turn very quickly and if you jump a red light, most have a camera attached to them,and your credit card will be deducted a couple of weeks later to the tune of $120
There are also many street speed cameras, if you exceed the speed limits they will flash and once again you will be charged on your credit card if you have a rental car.
Towns and residental areas, generally have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, unless otherwise indicated, single lane roads is 40 miles per hour, and dual carriage ways, that is two lanes of traffic going in the same direction have a 60 mile an hour speed limit.
Motorways have a speed limit of 70 miles an hour.
Because you will be driving on the opposite side of the road, it.s crucial that you look over your right shoulder when passing cars.
Do not get on a motorway and keep changing lanes, the police consider this to be dangerous driving, and you will get a ticket at the very least. you never pass a car on the inside lane, unless the car in front is turning right and stationary.
When you come to a roundabout or circle, you must give way to the cars on your right, wait till you can enter the flow of traffic safely then proceed, but the trick is not to become too hesitant, you will piss off the driver behind you, and hear some English words you have probably not heard before.
Okay to park a car, it does not matter which way the car is facing, unlike America, but at night time it's common sense to park the car, so that on comming traffic can see the rear reflectors. If you park facing the traffic, its, much harder to see at night.
When you go to the gas station, there will be a name change, it's called petrol.
Most pumps that I know, will not allow you to leave the nozzle in the tank while you go and put on your make up. You need to just remove the nozzle from the holder and squeeze the trigger, no bars or things that you need to lift up in order to get gas/petrol.
I left England four years ago, and live in the US, but every single gas station, you just pull up, fill up and then go inside and pay, unlike here, pay first, but you may need to check that out, they may have changed a few things since my last visit.
Double yellow lines, you never cross over them, you dont have to worry about school buses, because we dont have them.
If you see a zebra crossing, no this is not a wild animal, its called that, its a marking in the road made up of black and white stripes, it's for pedestrians, you must stop if someone is on a zebra crossing, or is about to step of the kerb,sidewalk to use the crossing, no exceptions, you must stop.
Built up areas, drivers are reluctant to give way to you, because in some cases you have three lanes of traffic merging into one, if there is a slight gap, dont wait, just fill it,
When you come out of a side turning onto a busy road, once again the rule applies go when you get the first opportunity even if the car is 10 feet away, providing its not traveling at speed. common sense will determine that factor.
When I first arrived in the US, I was pulling out in front of cars all the time, until my brother informed me, this is not England and you have to wait till both directions are clear.
If you try that Back in England you will miss you dinner lunch and tea .
Okay now for some more cheerful news, gas/petrol is about $9 a gallon over there, but the English gallon is larger than the US. 160 fluid ounces instead of 128 . Most cars will return about 40/50 miles per gallon, unless you get a rent a wreck.
Diesel cars will do closer to 60 miles to the gallon, so its not too bad.
Cars do not have A/C but you wont need it, because the weather will probably be damp and overcast, however some days in July the sun has been known to come out for a couple of hours.
Cardif and the general area of Wales gets a lot more mist and rain, compared to southern England.
Here is the drink drive rule, get caught, and the next day you will be in court, no waiting no messing about. and the penalty is high, especially if you are a tourist. It would be at least a one year driving ban, and if you were really over the top, they would probably send you to prison. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars or pounds depending where you live.
Okay what else can I tell you, that will be good information?
Check before you get there, because if you intend to rent a car, they may have ceratin criteria, aged 21, or maybe held a license for at least two years etc etc, I do not have the answer on that one, all the cars I drove in England were stolen.
Do not drive too close to the car in front, when traveling at speeds, the police will stop you, for dangerous driving, it's a very serious offence.
You do not need to carry your driving license or other documents with you, if the police stop you, for any motoring offence, you have seven days to prouduce your documents at a local police station.
Unlike America, the cops are very cooperative, and they say if you get lost ask a police man.
On the whole, driving in the UK, will be a bit of a challenge for you, we have small roads, drivers are very confident, and will fit a huge truck into the space a SUV takes up in America.
The roads are congested at times, and it may seem like chaos, but just go with the flow.
If you are heading for a particular place, you will see a sign but do not assume you will be taking a left exit because we drive on the left, it could be a right hand turn, if you find yourself in the wrong lane, don't panic, indicate to turn and keep moving, if you miss your turn, with the exception of a motorway, just go to the next block and turn round, most roads are short, and have numerous exits, so a wrong turn can soon be recitfied.
There are very few free parking areas in a city, generally there will be a meter, do not exceed the time limit, the traffic wardens were bullied and picked on at school, and it's their black cap that gives them the power. Unfortuntely once they start to write the ticket, they can not withdraw their actions, their brain is not functioned to think it was only 10 seconds over the limit.
Other things to watch out for when parking, are the very small signs that say no parking, they be hiding round the next corner waiting to prey on their next victim, they will turn up with a tow truck, cart your car to the compound and it will cost anywhere between $240 to $400 to get it back, be warned.
For each day they keep it, there will be an additional charge, these people dont care, they tow funeral cars, ambulances, taxis, it does not matter to them it's just more income.
Generally speaking the British/English drivers are helpfull, if you are unluncky to break down, just stand by the car, and it wont be too long before someone will come to your aid, especially if you are a female.
Well that should put you on the right track so to speak, and I hope you have a pleasant stay in Wales and also manage to see the beautful countryside of England.
Good luck
Paul M If you are doing an exchange iam sure that the people you do the excange with will take you where you need to go as car hire is expensive an gas $8 a gallon the train and bus is cheaper and in the uk you can get almost any where . |
