Changing gears with the right hand?
In Europe in particular, cars which are popular with most visitors, are small - they consume less fuel and that can be an advantage when the cost is much more than you're used to paying - and are manual drive. And this is where your first consideration lies. Not only does it feel strange sitting 'in the other side of the car', but changing gears with the right hand seems decidedly odd.

Fortunately, the clutch and brake pedal are in the same order, clutch/left; brake/right. The stalk switches on the side of the steering column that control indicators, wipers and lights etc are on the right -hand side for right hand operation. And the hand-brake is controlled by the right hand.

Shifting gears with the right hand is however, the main difference and requires our senses to be realigned to make it all work.

Getting the ‘feel’ for it
In this regard it can be a great advantage, before departing our shores, to sit in the front passenger seat of a manual drive car and find out what it feels like, bearing in mind of course, that the more expert you become, the safer a driver you will be if you can reduce the tendency to want to look down - and take your eyes off the road - as you change gears. Fortunately for us all, the gears in a right-hand drive vehicle are in the same selector positions as you would have experienced at home.

Unfortunately, there's nothing like experience. And there's no likelihood of getting any driving experience on the right-hand side of the carriageway on Australian roads! So the next best thing is the only thing. Get the feel of right hand gear shifting while sitting in your driveway.

If the UK and Europe is to be your destination then ...when in the UK do as they do in the UK and when in Europe do as they do in Europe. In other words it is always easier and much safer to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in the UK and a left-hand drive in Europe than it is to make do with the one vehicle in both continents. You will find it a lot easier and safer when you're sitting close to the centreline of the road.

Get to know the road rules
Apart from getting used to the car, there are also other matters to take into account. The road rules, road signs and simply knowing where to go. The more you make yourself familiar with the rules in particular and plan ahead by using up-to-date maps, the easier and safer and therefore more enjoyable, your motoring holiday will be.

The danger can come from the left!
There is one golden rule. In Australia we are accustomed to looking to the right on approaching and entering an intersection, whereas in left-hand drive countries, the danger comes from the left. And don't forget - when entering a roundabout wherever they drive on the right-hand side of the road, you go 'the other way' - anticlockwise! Once you've parked the car and set off on foot to explore, remember, when crossing the road, to 'look left first! Then right. And left again!'

Winter motoring - be prepared !
If your holiday will involve winter motoring then, to use the Boy Scout motto - be prepared. Not only with regard to what local regulations might dictate, but also what good sense and local advice would recommend.

We have all heard of black ice on roads in wintry weather - unlike any other ice it's hard to see, if not impossible and extremely dangerous. Advice on these matters and others associated with winter driving should be sought from agencies in the countries where you'll be driving and enquiries about any restrictions governing winter driving (some roads might be closed altogether in winter) should be directed to Embassy or Consular staff or their tourist offices in Australia. You might also get good advice from the car hire company.

The picture postcards that convey images of narrow country roads, lined by hedgerows and intersected with equally narrow roads leading off in all directions seem an attraction in themselves and a delight to the touring motorist to explore. But beware, and as in any situation, drive according to what good sense would dictate.

If we've been able to provide even just a little advice as to what to expect when driving 'on the other side of the road', then hopefully, it will go a long way to enjoying your holiday.

An instructor can help!
If, however, you feel that more help is needed once you've confronted a left-hand drive car, then we would suggest that it would be a case of relying on the international fraternity of driving instructors coming to the rescue and that you seek the assistance of an instructor in whatever country it is you're visiting.

International Driving Permits
For information about International Driving Permits contact on 13 21 32
or visit their website www.mynrma.com.au