Living in New Zealand, you’re used to driving on the left side of the road. It’s standard for other countries around the world, but not all. If you’re travelling to the United States or Europe, you’ll need to be aware of how to drive on the right hand side of the road.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you’ve never driven on the right-hand side of the road, it may take a bit of practice before you become comfortable. Although it doesn’t take long to get used to driving on the other side of the road, it might be a bit overwhelming, especially considering you may also be in an unfamiliar vehicle. If you’re able, find a secluded spot to practice in. You can also use this time to familiarise yourself with the vehicle layout.
Don’t Try Anything Fancy
While driving an unfamiliar vehicle on the opposite side of the road, it’s best to drive carefully. The rental vehicle needs to be kept in one piece, and it is much easier to quickly lose concentration and accidentally make a mistake. Driving recklessly might result in a car accident that could easily have been avoided.
Rely On Your Passengers
If you’re driving with someone in the passenger seat, use them to help you. They can help guide you when turning, parking or reversing. When driving a car as big as a cargo van, you need to get used to the bigger size. Cargo vans need more space to maneuver and a far wider turning circle. Having someone with you to navigate in tight spaces will be very beneficial.
Be Aware Of What’s Around You
The good thing about driving on busy roads is that a lot of the time, you can use the cars in front of you to guide you as you drive. While this is risky, you can use the vehicles ahead to show you where it’s safe to turn and overtake, and what speed is suitable for the road.
Driving on the right-hand side of the road in a hired vehicle can be tricky, we hope these tips will help you overcome the challenge. It can be confusing, but if you approach the task one step at a time, you’ll be comfortable behind the wheel before you know it.
