Introduction

The UK is full of vibrant cities, quaint villages, market towns and a fantastic countryside that is perfect for a rural retreat. There is a great history and culture within the capital of England, London - full of art galleries, museums, theatres and a great many other tourist attractions, as well as natural and rural getaways in the north of England, Wales and Scotland. There is a lot to experience no matter what kind of holiday you have got in mind, be it a country getaway with a few trips to a cosy pub, or a more cultural holiday in a bustling and vibrant city.

Road Driving Side	Urban Speed Limit	Rural Speed Limit	Motorway Speed Limit

LEFT	30 mph	60 mph	70 mph

Important things to note

Give way to drivers on the right when approaching roundabouts. Use the outside (right-hand) lane to overtake on motorways. When driving in London, be aware that there is a congestion charge. Be aware of fixed speed cameras on various routes all over the UK.

Driving culture in the United Kingdom

What are the roads like in the UK?
In cities and built up areas the roads tend to be fairly wide. However, in more rural areas and the countryside, the roads can be quite narrow. Motorways are high capacity roads that are usually split into three lanes. A-roads are main roads, usually dual carriageways; and B-roads tend to carry much less traffic as these are local routes.

What are the drivers like in the UK?
On the whole, UK drivers are reasonably courteous but are prone to flashing their lights, beeping their horn or simply shaking their head in the case of another driver making a genuine error or causing a hazard.

What are the best times to drive?
Weekends and during weekdays outside rush hour is the best time to be on the roads. Rush hour varies from city to city but generally stems between 7:00 and 9:30 in the morning and 16:00 and 19:00 in the evening.

What are the driving laws?
Be at least 17 and have a full driver's licence (provisional licences not accepted). Have at least third party insurance. Do not have a BAC exceeding 0.8g/l in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and not exceeding 0.5g/l in Scotland. Ensure front and rear passengers wear seat belts at all times, where fitted. Seat all children in EU-approved car seats until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall. From 1st October 2015, it is illegal in England and Wales to smoke in a car carrying under 18 year olds.