How to adapt to driving on the left side of the road

Right-hand drive driving is not common for North American motorists. Unless you are one of the few car owners who have imported JDM vehicles, you will probably never need to know how to drive a right hand drive vehicle here.

However, if you are traveling or moving overseas, you may quickly find that driving a right-hand drive vehicle is not the only thing to consider. This also means that you will be driving on the opposite side of the road to North American traffic. It can be as confusing as driving a car.

Here's how to adjust to driving on the left side of the road.

Part 1 of 2: Getting to Know Your Vehicle and Controls

Familiarize yourself with the reverse position of the vehicle controls when your vehicle is parked, for example. Nothing will feel natural at first, and it will take repetition to become second nature. If possible, learn the controls of the vehicle you will be driving, which can ease anxiety when you hit the road - that is, on the left side of the road.

Step 1: Open the driver's door. You will most likely open the left front door first, which is the passenger door in right hand drive vehicles.

Train yourself to approach the right side to get behind the wheel. You can find yourself on the left side without a steering wheel many times before it becomes habitual.

Step 2. Find out where the signal lights and wipers are.. On most right-hand drive vehicles, the turn signal is on the right side of the steering wheel and the wiper is on the left side.

Practice hitting the signals repeatedly. You will find yourself turning on the wipers from time to time and vice versa.

Over time, this will become convenient, although you can still make mistakes from time to time.

Step 3: Practice Shifting. This may be the biggest hurdle for a car to overcome.

If this is your first time driving a right-hand drive car, try getting a car with an automatic transmission. At first, moving the lever with your left hand will seem unnatural. You can even hit the door with your right hand if you absentmindedly reach for the gear lever. Over time, this will become a habit.

If you have a standard transmission, the transmission pattern is the same as in North America, with upshifts from left to right.

First gear will still be up and to the left, but instead of pulling the lever with your right hand, you'll be pushing it with your left hand. Spend enough time to practice shifting a manual transmission before you hit the road.

Step 4. Practice driving without starting the engine.. The pedals are laid out in the same left-to-right layout as the North American models, which may seem odd if the other controls are reversed.

Before you start driving on the road, run a few scenarios from the driver's seat. Imagine that you are making turns using the controls. Even in your imagination, you will find that from time to time you need to adjust which side of the road you are on.

Repetition is the key to reducing driving errors while learning.

Part 2 of 2: Comfortable driving on the left side of the road

At first, it will seem to you that this is the wrong side of the road until you get used to it. Driving on the left side of the road isn't all that different, but feels uncomfortable.

Step 1. Find out where the curb or shoulder is on the left side. You will tend to stay more to the left than you should.

Try to keep your vehicle in the center of the lane, which will appear to be shifted to the right. Look in the left mirror to determine the distance to the curb.

Step 2. Be Careful When You Get Acquainted with the Turn. In particular, right turns are more difficult.

You may forget that turning right means you have to cross the lane first, unlike in North America. Left turns do not require a lane crossing, but you can wait for traffic to clear before turning left.

Be aware of traffic in both directions to avoid collision at the intersection until you adapt.

Step 3: Learn the rules of the road in the country you are driving in. Traffic rules vary from country to country.

Find out how to use a multi-lane roundabout correctly if you are in England. Unlike North America, roundabouts where you drive on the left side rotate clockwise.

Most people adjust well to driving on the left side of the road. If you find yourself having problems, find a driving school in your area where you can practice in a safe environment with a teacher. Be sure to perform all routine maintenance to keep your vehicle in top condition.