Hey Guys, For those of you who drive on the left side but have driven cars with the stick shift on the right as in the U.K., how long did it take to get used to that? Or did you even prefer it?
Not completely sure what you are asking, but I have driven on the right hand side of the road (USA) with the stick shift to my right (US car) as well as with the stick on my left (Asian car). I have driven on the left hand side of the road (England) with the stick shift on my left (right hand drive BMW). Took me awhile to get used to the fact that low gear was not close to me, but other than that it's easy. As long as you are comfortable with stick, not a big deal at all.
I believe you mean swapping from driving LHD to RHD cars or vice versa. It takes me about 10 minutes of absolute concentration and an hour or so of heightened attention before I properly drop into the groove. Considerably longer before I can be confident of not screwing up in "autopilot".
To a certain extent, learning to drive a RHD car shifting gears with your left hand may be an advantage when it comes to swapping cars (at least for a righthanded person like me) as it sort of makes you ambidextrous.
Over here we are right hand drive, to be honest I could not see me changing to left hand drive with out a lot of practice, not to mention the roads etc. Not really a answer to your question, but some feed back. Tony
i have 2 356's one of which is a LHD import. no issues driving on the left, but it takes more concentration (and preferably a passenger to say when it's clear) to overtake. gearshift with the right hand is easy enough. have done quite a few miles in the LHD car now and can swap between them without much thought.
I learned to drive in the UK came to the States then proceeded to go back and forth on business so I have experienced it both ways I think that Zertec ( Clive) got it about right initial concentration period of a few moments and keep alert that you dont go to the wrong Autopilot mode there are times in the States when I am making a left turn that I have the flash of OOPS! but then realize I am on the correct side of the road. Martin
That's funny because it happened to me. I visited the UK on business. It took me a while to get used to going to the opposite side when someone else drove. Finally, I did. When I came home to the US? You guessed it. I had to reorient all over again.
Why a large part of the World (but by no means all) drives on the right amazes me. The rationale for driving on the left (the correct side) is that when riding your horse, your sword hand (usually right hand) can be used to smite your enemy coming in the opposite direction. You also always mount a horse on the left side. I wonder why the choice was made one way or the other when the automobile was introduced. Anyone know? Us Brits go back and forth across the English Channel to France and readily switch between driving on the left and right, although mostly with a right hand drive car. I usually find that I have to say "drive on the right" to myself a couple of times when I get off the ferry or train and I'm ok, except for some reason if my passenger says "take a right", I want to take a left. I guess the brain mirror images itself to cope in some way. The same thing happens when I go to the States and drive a left hand drive car.
Hi, Another ex-pat from the UK - Spent a *lot* of time going back and forth between the two and can honestly say that the location of the stick was never an issue - At least in my case it's like something deep in the brain clicks in and its automatic. Only time I nearly screwed up was leaving the pub (!) after just getting in to town and taking off on the RHS - Wondered why the lunatic coming the other way was on my side of the road..... Got a quick shot of adrenaline and straightened right up in a hurry.... As usual, ymmv, Cheers, Ian
Born in Taunton, Somerset, moved around a lot (Dad worked for GCHQ) and consider South London 'home'. Cheers, Ian
everyone else is pretty much right on w/ their suggestions..but here is my .02 Ive driven in the UK w/ rental cars a few times. The only time it was a problem was when I did something by habit. Ie. walking to the "driver" side door on the left. Driving in London wasnt really a big deal as you just kinda follow the cars in front of you. The only time I completely blew it was in Scottland pulling on to an empty road from a parking lot and realising after 100 yards or so that I was on the right side.. On yea...and the rental car reversed the wipers <-> turn signals on the steering column...so everytime I made a turn, the wipers would flap about.
Hmm. You know; the way we drive here in the States, you just might need that sword in your right hand.
You forgot "boot" ['etc' just doesn't get it for "stick it in the boot" IMHO ] [Trunk over here, save anyone asking ] Cheers, Ian
I have a right hand drive Lotus 7. The stick was easy to get use to. The rearview mirror takes a while to become comfortable with. It does not come naturally. I also tend to hug the right side of the lane.
Drive RHD cars here occasionally and no problem. In one that I am involved with now it has a crash box and that takes some getting used to. If you ride a motorcycle and drive a car, that is really the same. Controls are in different places. Brain just goes to a different directory.
Right Hand Drive.....how did the Britts ever pull it off, to get the auto mgrs to stop the line and flip flop the steering just for a tiny island, albeit, a great one?
Dont forget they made a couple of cars themselves Jaguar, RR. Aston Martin, Triumph, Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam, Rover, Austin, Morris, MG, to name a few so for them it was Gee change the line over to LHD Yawn!!!!
The first time I was over in England I drove a manual. It's a bit weird at first, because your use to changing gears with your right hand, but once you get use to it it's no big deal. The biggest thing you have to get use to is looking to the right before you proceed through an intersection. But as for changing gears, nothing big deal. Plus the peddals are in the same position so that helps too.
