Moving to the UK from Sweden just before turning 20, I had already obtained my Swedish driving license and felt at ease behind the wheel. However, it took me four years of living in the UK, completing university, and residing in larger cities before I decided to purchase my first car for work purposes.
Despite becoming accustomed to different driving regulations as a pedestrian and passenger on various forms of public transportation, there were significant disparities I had to adapt to while teaching myself to drive in a new country.
Even after nearly four years of driving in the UK, there are still aspects of driving that I find peculiar. Here are six things I am still adjusting to, as driving abroad can present unexpected challenges.
One striking difference is the British preference for driving on the left side of the road, unlike the majority of the world that drives on the right side. This adjustment involves consciously reminding oneself to perform actions in the opposite manner, such as using the left hand for gear changes and navigating roundabouts clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
Over time, I still occasionally struggle with driving on the left side, especially when my parents are in the car with me. However, I have come to accept that driving on the left is the norm in the UK.
Another unexpected difference I encountered was the unique workings of car insurance in the UK compared to Sweden. Not only is car insurance more costly in the UK, but it operates on a distinct basis. In Sweden, insurance is tied to the vehicle rather than the driver, allowing anyone with a valid license to operate the car.
This system made more sense to me initially, as I grappled with the various factors considered in UK car insurance policies. Despite growing up in a region known for its snowy conditions, I was surprised by the traffic disruptions caused by even minimal snowfall in the UK. The chaos on the roads during snowy weather led me to avoid driving in such conditions to prevent getting stuck in traffic jams.
Additionally, I still struggle to comprehend how some drivers in the UK feel comfortable reaching speeds of up to 60mph on narrow, winding country roads barely wide enough for a single vehicle. I prefer to maintain a cautious speed of around 40mph, navigating each curve carefully to minimize the risk of accidents.
Lastly, the concept of having traffic lights within roundabouts remains perplexing to me. Encountering this setup for the first time was unexpected, as I had not experienced it in Sweden. I believe roundabouts should efficiently manage traffic flow without the need for additional traffic lights, making the presence of both redundant in my view.
Have you ever driven in a foreign country? If so, what traffic rules or practices surprised you the most?