Stick shift in the other side of the road

[Anonymous]

It is hard enough to learn to drive in the other side of the road. Has anyone attempted it in a stick shift, where they use their left hand to control the stick?

[Anonymous]

It’s easier than you’d think. The shift pattern and the pedals are the same, you just happen to be sitting in the other seat.

[Anonymous]

Done this. Very doable. Takes a few days to adjust.

[Anonymous]

I drove around the parking lot a few times before leaving the rental car lot. It really wasn’t that hard.

[Anonymous]

I did this for a couple years. I'm right-handed. The left-hand shifting is easier than you'd expect. Do you already know how to drive on the other side of the road?

[Anonymous]

The switch from right to left is very easy, particularly when there are other cars to follow. You don't even have to think about it. The only issue might be if you're the only driver on the road and you forget which side you're supposed to be on.

I learned on a stick shift, and honestly, I find it very stressful. I don't have very good coordination, perhaps? Anyway, if you're not used to driving a stick shift, get an automatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drove around the parking lot a few times before leaving the rental car lot. It really wasn’t that hard.

The hardest parts about driving on the other side of the road are turns and where to look for oncoming cars. The parking lot won't teach you that but you can get used to the shifter on the left side.

[Anonymous]

Your feet do the same things - left for clutch, right for for brake & gas. And the pattern of the stick shift is the same. I did find it a bit awkward at first, just because I'm pretty clumsy with my left hand, and I found myself looking down periodically at first to make sure I was moving it the right way. But once I convinced myself that the pattern really is the same, it was fine.

[Anonymous]

You get used to it. What can be confusing is when you travel back and forth.

[Anonymous]

I went to South Africa for a couple of years and traveled back and forth a few times. It was easy for me - hardly thought about it after a day or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drove around the parking lot a few times before leaving the rental car lot. It really wasn’t that hard.

The hardest parts about driving on the other side of the road are turns and where to look for oncoming cars. The parking lot won't teach you that but you can get used to the shifter on the left side.

+1

Changing gears is a minor adjustment. Turns will blow your mind until you adjust.

[Anonymous]

did my honeymoon and anniversary in St Lucia, and did a 10 day trip in the UK all three trips rented a manual and it was a right hand drive. IE they drove on the wrong side of the road.

getting used to the shifting was troublesome, i found myself going from 1st to 4th and stalling on occasion. and yes the turning into the proper lane took some practice. in the city like london, following other vehicles not a bad, but when you get on the country roads and no one else is around.. easy to go back to being an "american" driver...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:did my honeymoon and anniversary in St Lucia, and did a 10 day trip in the UK all three trips rented a manual and it was a right hand drive. IE they drove on the wrong side of the road.

getting used to the shifting was troublesome, i found myself going from 1st to 4th and stalling on occasion. and yes the turning into the proper lane took some practice. in the city like london, following other vehicles not a bad, but when you get on the country roads and no one else is around.. easy to go back to being an "american" driver...

Most island countries are on the "wrong side"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drove around the parking lot a few times before leaving the rental car lot. It really wasn’t that hard.

The hardest parts about driving on the other side of the road are turns and where to look for oncoming cars. The parking lot won't teach you that but you can get used to the shifter on the left side.

+1

Changing gears is a minor adjustment. Turns will blow your mind until you adjust.

^^^ THIS ^^^

[Anonymous]

I have done this and shifting was the least of my problems. I am European and learned to drive a stick from the get-go. But following traffic patterns was challenging.