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Driving direction in UK : keep to the left


driving direction in uk keep to the left

Driving direction in UK and Northern Ireland

The driving direction in UK and Northern Ireland is to the left.

When you get your rental car, chances are you will go and seat on the front passenger seat! Remember, however, if you are going to drive in the UK, you seat on the right side, change the gears and secure the handbrake with your left hand and drive on the left side of the road!

The road - almost always- has clear markings that somewhat help you remember to stay on the left. For example, when approaching a T-junction, the left side of the road has broken double white lines and a triangle.

These markings also help you to remember to stop and yield to the traffic coming from your right. Once clear to cross, you cross on the opposite side of the road. You might find it a challenge at first, but you will quickly get used to it.

Road System.

  • M is for Motorway (highway /autobahn). On the map it is marked with blue.

  • A roads are usually dual carriageway and connect major cities and towns. They are marked with Green.

  • B roads. These are smaller roads that go through villages. They might be narrow and twisty and are marked with yellow on the map.

    • Which is the fast lane?

    On motorways and dual carriageways, the left lane is used for cruising.

    You can use right lane if you need to overtake other vehicles and if you need to turn right. Once you have overtaken the other vehicle, you should go back into the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

    Speed limits

    • Motorways: 70 mph or 112 kph, unless otherwise indicated.
    • Most A roads outside urban areas: 60 mph or 96 kph, unless otherwise indicated.
    • Urban areas: 30 mph or 48 kph unless otherwise indicated.


    driving direction in UK roundabout Roundabouts

    Roundabouts are (most of the time) a handy piece of road design aimed at facilitating the flow of traffic. My South African friend calls them circles. Very popular in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, they are less common in other countries.

    Who is having priority at a roundabout?

    The one who is going around the roundabout has priority over the one who is entering, unless otherwise indicated (e.g. by traffic lights).

    If you are in a multi-lane roundabout and realize at the last moment that you need to take the left exit and you are on the inside lane, do not swerve, because you might cause an accident.

    Since the roundabout is in the shape of the circle, just follow it around once more, this time position yourself better for a timely and smooth exit.

    Seatbelt Safety

    You should be wearing a seatbelt at all times when driving in UK and Northern Ireland. Please review the rules for Seatbelt Safety here.

    Drink Driving

    Drink driving is a serious offense. Never drink and drive. Do check the regulations regarding drink driving here.

    And that concludes our driving direction in UK page. If after reading this you are still not sure how to drive in the UK, better let someone else do it and enjoy the trip from the passenger side.

    Photo credits: Photo 1, courtesy of Northern Ireland Tourist Board . Photo 2, courtesy of KarlonSea, Flickr.

    Return from Driving direction in UK to Northern Ireland Tourism Homepage,


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