UK's First Left-Hand Driving School Opens to Prepare Brits for Overseas Roads
Travel firm Skyscanner launches a free left-hand driving course in London as surveys show a quarter of British drivers are anxious about motoring abroad.
British holidaymakers keen to drive abroad now have a dedicated school to help them adapt to left-hand traffic, after Skyscanner opened the UK's first left-hand driving course in London. The move follows survey results showing that 27% of British drivers feel anxious about taking the wheel in countries where driving is on the right.
The initiative, run in partnership with local driving instructors, offers free lessons to help drivers adjust to left-hand driving before venturing overseas. Lessons include practical experience in vehicles set up for left-hand drive, as well as classroom sessions on foreign road signs, local driving laws and the challenges of navigating unfamiliar roundabouts.
The Skyscanner survey of 1,084 adults revealed that nearly a quarter of British holidaymakers prefer to let their partner drive abroad, while 36% admit to not researching local driving laws before travelling. The most common concerns include misunderstanding road signs, getting lost and managing roundabouts in the opposite direction.
Skyscanner said the course is designed to give British drivers more confidence and practical skills for driving in Europe and other regions where traffic moves on the right. With two-thirds of countries worldwide following right-hand traffic rules, the company sees a growing need for practical support, especially as self-drive holidays become more popular.
In addition to the driving school, Skyscanner has published a guide to driving abroad, with country-specific tips and advice on adapting to local regulations. The company aims to reduce the number of British tourists hesitant to hire cars overseas due to lack of familiarity with left-hand driving.
The course is held in the London area and is open to any driver planning to travel to countries with right-hand traffic. By providing both practical and theoretical instruction, Skyscanner and its partners hope to address the specific fears highlighted in their research, from reading unfamiliar road signs to tackling continental roundabouts.
For those planning to drive abroad, especially in Europe, the course offers a practical way to build confidence before departure. As more British drivers consider self-drive holidays, support like this could help reduce anxiety and encourage safer travel.
For more on right-hand drive vehicles and adaptations for the UK market, see Seat Leon ST to Offer Four-Wheel Drive and Right-Hand Drive for UK Market .
