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English speaking drivng instructor

Question

Do you know of any English-speaking driving instructor or driving school that would be willing to help an expat make the transition from the left to the right hand side?

Thank you.

Cirage 219

Don't you know anyone who will let you take you take their LH car out for a spin.

Oct 19, 2015 18:39
becasse

It takes something like a month, possibly less, to get used to the fact that you use your right hand to change gear and apply/release the hand brake. Then you will wonder why you found it so difficult to start with.

Oct 19, 2015 21:13
valleystripes

Good point Cirage but I refused the offer several times because I do not feel so comfortable especially with it comes to the roundabout!

Thanks, good to know Becasse!

Oct 19, 2015 21:15
kasseistamper

Why not take up the offer but confine it to a Sunday in an empty car park - supermarket or wherever - so that at least you become familiar with driving a LHD car.
I suspect that you are seeing much more of a problem than there really is and that, once you get comfortable with driving a LHD car, doing so on the open road will be easier.
The reality is that many people switch from driving LHD to RHD and from driving in UK to on the continent as a regular routine without any problem.
Good luck.

Oct 20, 2015 09:13
Mikek1300gt

You are right to be nervous of roundabouts, they don't know how to use them here. Just get out there and do it. As one person said, you will soon wonder what the fuss was about.

Oct 20, 2015 09:54
alittlerisky

Apart from some wild fumbling with your left hand hand while trying to change gear, it's actually pretty straightforward. And remember which side to drive on. My first trip to Europe (from the UK), I drove off the ferry and immediately went the wrong way around the roundabout.

The most irritating thing is actually why European cars have the turn signal on the other side to the windscreen wipers like in Japanese cars. You always look like an idiot when carefully indicating only to switch your wipers on.

Oct 20, 2015 11:45
CC_R

It's not you mike1300GT who doesn't know how to use roundabout its Belgians road users in general. Some think priority adroit applies most don't use indicators, all seem to go round in any lane.
My suggestions are drive on a Sunday but be aware People who drive here as a rule don't seem to leave a reasonable stopping distance so pay attention three or four cars up.
Once you are in your lane go for it don't hesitate who who hesitates crashes here. Ignore all the horn blasting if you say stop for pedestrians. Also a quick course in reading road signs as in how they sign junctions is useful.
Maybe try driving out of town for a while till confident then build up on bigger roads.

Oct 20, 2015 12:46
Mikek1300gt

I know how to use a roundabout, it's the local rabble that don't. One of my favorites has two lanes approaching and there is always a queue in the right lane to turn left?! Argh!

Oct 20, 2015 14:02
valleystripes

Thanks a lot!

Oct 21, 2015 11:37