Anyone driving a Left hand drive ?

[Jez]

Just wondering if anyone is currently driving a LHD car in the UK ? If so what's it like from a safety point of view ? anything to watch out for ?

I'm trying to sell my Boxster at the moment but it's a bad time to sell and with the offers I'm getting I might just bring it with me.

Any thoughts appreciated

[Tipex]

I don't currently own a LHD car, but I've owned 3 in the past, a Lancia Integrale, a Lancia Thema 8.32, and a classic Alfa Spider.

It's not something I found a problem, the only issues I found were using toll booths (few and far between here), and mcdonalds drive thru's.

Never had any trouble overtaking, you have to be a bit more observant obviously, but you soon learn how to look through/round other cars on the nearside to get an initial look for oncoming traffic, then move out slightly, get a proper final look and go if clear.

Otherwise I never had any issues, but I am a very confident driver.

[Jez]

Thanks for the feedback Tipex I'm trying to steer clear of Maccy D's at the moment but didnt think about the toll booths, I guess attended car parks would be the same but I can't think there are too many of those around any more.

[eldavo69]

Get a litter-picker claw on a stick and use it for car parks. I've seen it done.

[Tipex]

Yes car parks where you have to take a ticket can be a problem, but I used to just unclip the seat belt and lean across the car, except in the Thema, which was too wide, so I had to get out and walk round.

Good idea about litter picker/claw, they actually sell these in mobility shops for pensioners to pick stuff up off the floor without bending, would be ideal!

[sayerbloke]

As above, really. I used a Chevy Camaro as a daily-driver for about a year and never had any problems with being on the "wrong" side of the car. There's times where it's a "help" as much as a "hinderance". I think it'd depend a bit on the exact car in question [a LHD panel-van would be a nightmare, whereas a coupe is fine], but overall you'd rarely find it a problem. If you can't see past the vehicle in front, you're probably following too close .

[Lussac]

Yes, I've got a LHD Jaguar XF and I'm in the UK at present. As others have said no real problems apart from Dartford Tunnel tolls and public car parks where you have to take a ticket on entry, unfortunately the XF is too wide to lean over to the passenger side and operate through the passenger window so it's a case of getting out, running round and back!!

[saab]

I drove an LHD VW Beetle and a Golf Country in London for a while and as others have said its generally not a problem at all - in fact in some ways its better - you can often negotiate through tighter gaps as you know exactly how close you are to parked cars. The only issues I found driving in London were driving round buses and in the country overtaking is more tricky - atlhough in the Beetle that didn't happen much...

[Jez]

Thanks for the tips guys its a boxster so probably not to difficult to slide across for tickets etc, looks like I'm off to find out if anything needs to be modified to make it admissible, any advice on insurance companies ?

[theduisbergkid]

Try Adrian Flux for insurance, they're usually pretty helpful at the unusual stuff.

[DanG]

I have a LHD 911 which, although not using everyday, I do use with no issues at all. I brought it back from the US with me.

As above, get one of the pensioners claw things:

24 inch long EASY REACH GRABBER, Good Grip. on eBay (end time 18-Dec-10 19:58:22 GMT)

And a convex mirror for merging onto motorways:

2 CONVEX Blind spot mirrors ,Black ADJUSTABLE new on eBay (end time 20-Dec-10 20:13:51 GMT)

and its job done.

Bonus is that when you get over to France with their beautiful weather and smooth roads, everything is on the correct side!

[Jez]

Quote

Try Adrian Flux for insurance, they're usually pretty helpful at the unusual stuff.

Thanks TDK, I actually used to use them for a modded Jeep I ran a few years back when I was last in the UK

[Jez]

I have a LHD 911 which, although not using everyday, I do use with no issues at all. I brought it back from the US with me.

As above, get one of the pensioners claw things:

24 inch long EASY REACH GRABBER, Good Grip. on eBay (end time 18-Dec-10 19:58:22 GMT)

And a convex mirror for merging onto motorways:

2 CONVEX Blind spot mirrors ,Black ADJUSTABLE new on eBay (end time 20-Dec-10 20:13:51 GMT)

and its job done.

Bonus is that when you get over to France with their beautiful weather and smooth roads, everything is on the correct side!

Thanks Dan, did you have to make any changes to the 911 for UK laws ?

[Jez]

Thanks for all the tips guys, in the end I managed to sell the Boxster for a resonable price today so I'm now not bringing it over

[DanG]

Thanks Dan, did you have to make any changes to the 911 for UK laws ?

I see its gone now, but the only change was front headlights pointing left for UK roads.