Driving in a new country? What changes and what does not

If you already passed your theory test at home, driving in another country is not starting from zero. The fundamentals of safe driving are shared almost everywhere. What you need to update is a short list of local specifics, and it pays to check them before you set off.

Which side of the road

The biggest single difference. Most of the world drives on the right, but the UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Australia and others drive on the left. It changes how you approach junctions, roundabouts and overtaking, so give yourself time to adjust.

Speed limits and units

Limits vary by country and often by road type, and some countries post them in kilometres while others use miles. Learn the default limits for towns, open roads and motorways in the country you are in, because they are not always signed on every stretch.

Signs are mostly shared, details are not

Thanks to shared conventions, the shapes and colours you already know carry across borders. The symbols inside can differ, and each country has a few national signs of its own. Skimming the local sign set for an hour is usually enough.

Equipment and paperwork

• Some countries require a warning triangle, hi-vis vest or spare bulbs by law.
• Winter tyres or chains can be mandatory in mountain regions in season.
• Check whether you need an international permit alongside your licence.

Practise the country you are driving in

The simplest way to get comfortable is to switch your practice to that country and run through its signs and situations before you drive. An evening of focused practice removes almost all of the guesswork.