Roads

Driving in Britain

If you chose to arrive by car or hire a car whislt in England, the principal difference for most foreign motorists is that you drive on the left, with corresponding adjustments at roundabouts and junctions and distances are measured in miles.

To drive in England you need a current driving licence with an international driving permit  (1926, 1949)  a valid form of third party insurance and your vehicle must have a current road fund licence.

In any vehicle you drive you must carry proof of ownership or a rental agreement, plus any insurance documents.

The principal rules of the road are drivers must:

Drive on the left-hand side of the road

Pass on the outside (right) lane

Not pass on the inside (left) lane

Not block the middle lane if the inside lane is clear

When approaching a roundabout, give priority to traffic approaching from the right, unless otherwise indicated

At a junction there is no general priority rule, as priority is marked at most junctions. On a minor road you will see either a triangular 'GIVE WAY' or red 'STOP' sign. Many junctions will have only 'GIVE WAY' markings on the carriageway (dotted white lines and a white triangle on the carriageway). These signs must be obeyed.

Give way to emergency services vehicles not use a car horn in built-up areas from 2330 to 0700 hours        

Drinking and Driving

The legal limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, or 35 microgrammes of alcohol to 100ml of breath. There are strong penalties for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Accidents

If you are involved in an accident you must stop. Give details of your insurance to other drivers involved. If anyone is injured, you must also inform the police.

Emergencies on Motorways

Orange emergency telephones are situated at approximately half-a-mile intervals along motorways. They connect the caller to the Police Motorway Control Centre who can send the appropriate help, e.g. AA , RAC, police, ambulance or fire brigade .

Seatbelts

All new cars must have front and rear seat belts fitted. A car which was not obliged to have seat belts fitted at the time it was first used, does not need to have them fitted now. But if they are fitted they must be worn. For children under 14, it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure appropriate restraint is worn

Speed Limits

Built up areas: all vehicles, 30 mph (48 kph)
Single carriageway: 60 mph (96 kph) for cars, 50 mph (81 kph) for cars towing caravans or trailers, buses and coaches
Dual Carriageways/Motorways: 70mph (112kph) for cars, 60 mph (96 kph) for cars towing caravans or trailers.

Mobile Phones

It is an offence to use a mobile phone while driving. Offenders will be fined £30 initially, rising to a maximum of £1,000 if their case goes to court. Those caught breaking the ban will also get three penalty points on their licence for each offence. Under current laws, motorists can only be prosecuted for using mobiles if they fail to keep proper control of their vehicle.

Motorcyclists must

wear a protective helmet on all journeys as well as a pillion passenger

enusre that on on a motorcycle, scooter or moped only one pillion passenger can be carried and he/she must sit astride the vehicle on a proper seat and should keep both feet on the footrests

make yourself as visible as possible from the side as well as the front and rear by wearing fluorescent clothing or strips. 

The full driving rules and regulations are covered in a publication called the Highway Code  and by using the link you will be able see all of its contents.

The Road System

England has an extensive road system comprising Motorways, A-class roads and B-class roads. Motorways are the main method of travelling to and from cities and large towns. On maps they are usually denominated as blue roads. Motorways invariably by-pass cities and towns, although in some cases pass by quite closely. A-class roads were once the main routes between cities and towns and still represent interesting alternatives to motorways, often passing through towns and villages. Many are now dual carriageway. These are normally denominated on maps as green roads, and the less major routes as red roads. B-class roads are normally the narrowest and less used roads in the country, and in rural areas are often single track roads.

Peak hour traffic can last from 8-9:30am and 5-6:30pm on weekdays in the cities; at these times traffic can grind to a halt. In the countly a good touring map is essential; the AA or RAC motoring atlases are fairly straightforward to use

Road signs

These are now generally standardized in line with Europe. Directional signs are colour-coded: blue for motorways, green for major routes and white for minor routes. Signposting in Britain is not consistent and city suburbs can be confusing. Brown signs indicate places of interest. Advisory or warning signs are usually triangles in red and white, with easy to understand pictograms. Watch for electronic notices on A motorway sign motorways that warn in miles of road works, accidents or patches of fog. Level crossings, found at rail lines, often have automatic bamers. If the lights are flashing red it means a train is coming and you must stop. Full details of all signs can be found in the Highway Code (see above)

Parking

The bane of the English motorist's life. Parking meters operate during working hours (usually 8am-6:30pm Mon-Sat) so always keep a supply of coins for them. Some cities have "park and ride" schemes, where you can take a bus from an out-of-city car park into the centre. Other towns have parking schemes where you buy a card at the tourist office or newsagents, fill in your parking times and display the card. Many car parks operate on a pay-and-display system. Avoid double yellow lines at all times; single lines mean you can park in the evenings and at weekends but check carefully. Traffic wardens wear distinctive uniforms and will .car away. If in any doubt find a car park. .Outside urban areas and popular tourist zones, parking is not such a problem. Look out for the letter P: this indicates legal parking spaces.

Fuel

Fuel (or gas to our American friends) is very expensive in England. Large supermarkets often have the cheapest petrol. Motorway service areas are generally more expensive. Petrol is sold in three grades: diesel, LRP (lead replacement petrol) and unleaded. Most modern cars in Britain use unleaded petrol - any vehicle you hire will probably do so. Unleaded and diesel are cheaper than LRP. Most petrol stations in England are selfservice but instructions at pumps are easy to follow.

If you break down

The  major motoring organizations, the AA (Automobile Association), the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) and Green Flag, provide a comprehensive 24-hour breakdown service for members, as well as many other motoring services. Both offer reciprocal assistance for members of overseas motoring organizations - before arrival check with your own group to see if you are covered. You can contact the AA or RAC from the roadside SOS phones found on motorways. Most car hire agencies have their own cover, and their charges include membership of either the AA, the RAC or Green Flag while you are driving. Always follow the advice given on your insurance policy or rental agreement.

Car Hire

There are many both National and local car hire companies in England to meet most requirements.

It is recommended that you have a credit/debit card available before hiring.

Travelling around by Coach

In England the term coach normally refers to the long-distance express buses and those used for sightseeing excursions. What the English refer to as buses, however, covers those vehicles that operate on regular routes with scheduled stops around or between villages, towns and cities. Many coach services duplicate rail routes, but are generally cheaper. Journey times, however, are longer and much less predictable on crowded roads. Modern coaches are comfortable, sometimes with refreshments and toilets on board. Some city to city routes, especially at weekends, are so popular that it is a good idea to buy a reserved journey ticket, which guarantees you a seat.

National Coach Network

There are many regional coach companies, but by far the largest English coach operator is National Express with a nationwide network of over 1,200 destinations. On the more popular routes - particularly on Friday evenings - it is best to book ahead.

Discounts are available for full-time students or anyone under 25. Anyone aged 50 or over can also qualify for a discount coach card, saving up to 30 per cent on many fares. Britexpass cards lasting 30 days and Tourist Trail Passes are also available for those planning to cover many destinations in a limited period. You can buy these from most coach travel agents in North America via British Travel Associates or while in England, at the major international airports, Victoria Coach Station and most large travel agents. Scottish Citylink is a major operator running regular services between London, the North and Scotland. Some services run direct from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. Allow plenty of time to buy your ticket before boarding. Luggage is stowed in the vehicle hold.

Coach Tours

There are many coach tour companies offering many many tours for all interests, age groups and destinations. Some include a tour guide. They may last anything from a couple of hours to two weeks or more, touring coast or counttyside and visiting places of interest. Some are highly structured, organizing every last photo opportunity or cup of tea; others leave you to sightsee or shop at your own pace. You can opt for a prearranged route, or commission your own itinerary for a group. Coach tours are popular, but may leave you feeling somewhat herded. Groups always travel at the pace of their slowest member, which can mean a lot of waiting. But at the same time all the stress of organizing a similar trip for yourself is taken away. Some coach operators will pick up passengers from their hotels and then drop them back. Any large town will have a selection of coach companies. You can also book coach trips direct from overseas through a specialist travel agent. Seaside resorts and tourist sites are destinations for many day trips, especially in high season. In some of the more popular rural areas, such as the Lake District, special small buses operate for ease of movement. You can book these in advance, or just turn up before the coach leaves, although the tour is likely to be fully booked, especially in high season. The local tourist information point or travel agent will be able to tell you where these trips leave from, the cost and may even sell you tickets. It is customary to tip the guide after your tour.

Regional Buses

These are run by a large number of companies, some private and some operated by local authorities. Less economic services to remote rural areas tend to be sporadic and expensive, with some buses running just once a week and many isolated villages having no service at all. Only a few rural buses are equipped for wheelchairs. As a general rule, you can assume that the further you get from a city, the fewer the buses and the more expensive the fare. It is therefore unwise to rely on local buses for transport, and if you want to see a lot of the country, renting a car is a better option. But if you do have the time, local buses can be a pleasant and often sociable way of travelling around England's lovely countryside. Most buses run with just one operator - the driver. All drivers prefer you to have the correct fare, so always have a selection of low denomination coins handy. Some routes do not operate on Sundays and public holidays, and those that do are much reduced. Always check your routes, schedules and fares at the local tourist office or bus station before you depart on a bus. This will prevent your being stranded somewhere with no return transport.

Emergency Calls  999.
Weathercall 08706 004 242

CAR HIRE

Budget 0800181 181.
Car Rentals 0845-225-0845  

Coach

National Express  08705808080.

Buses

Traveline - public transport information  0870 608 2608 

Coach Tours

The Guild of British Coach Operators
RAC 
AA