Driving on the left in the UK

Read speeds in mph, including the national limit sign

UK speed limits use mph. For a car without a trailer, national limits are generally 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless a lower limit applies. A dual carriageway has a central reservation; two lanes in your direction alone do not make it one. The white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe means the national limit for your vehicle and road type.

Built-up-road defaults differ: generally 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and 20 mph in Wales, unless signed otherwise. Follow the signs on your route and check the GOV.UK: speed limits before travelling. A limit is a maximum, not a target on a narrow or wet road.

Plan the lane you will enter

Before pulling out of a car park, identify the left-hand side of the road you are joining. On an ordinary two-way road, a right turn crosses opposing traffic. Take time to find your destination lane before moving; after a quiet stop, deliberately reset your expectation to “keep left”.

At conventional roundabouts, traffic circulates clockwise. Give priority to traffic approaching from the right unless signs, markings or signals direct otherwise. Choose your lane before entering and watch for cyclists and pedestrians. See the Highway Code: junctions and roundabouts and our roundabout walkthrough.

Treat the left motorway lane as your normal lane

Keep left unless overtaking, then return when safe. On a slip road, give priority to traffic already on the motorway; use the available view to plan a safe merge. A red X closes the lane below it. Review the Highway Code: motorways before your first motorway journey.

For your first drive, choose an easy destination with known parking. Avoid combining an unfamiliar car, a complicated city route and a tight arrival deadline. Check any toll or city charging arrangements for the route with the rental company.

Check the right licence rules for your destination

Use the GOV.UK: driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence checker with your actual licence-issuing country and visitor status. It covers Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. For Northern Ireland, use nidirect: driving in Northern Ireland. Confirm the rental provider’s age, transmission, payment and document requirements separately before booking.

A focused practice session before collection

In Leftside, choose mph and try Find your left side using the cockpit camera. Follow with the roundabout and motorway lessons. Pay attention to the left edge of the car, which is farther from your new seating position. Seabrook uses simplified UK-style conventions; it does not reproduce your airport exit, real traffic behaviour or every Highway Code requirement.