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Americans going on a road trip UK One might think that their biggest challenge will be mastering driving on the “wrong” side of the road.
Far away from.
They’ll also have to follow Britain’s peculiar driving etiquette, which could prove even more baffling. From the proper way to wave at other drivers to the accepted way of displaying frustration while driving, there are deep-rooted quirks of driving on foreign shores that are not common in the US.
To help Americans adapt, Britons were asked in a survey by a car-sharing firm teach To name the most important aspects of the country’s driving protocol, and TV personality and car enthusiast freddie brown has prepared a short video explaining “how to drive away the British”.
Most significant for visiting Americans is the British rule of “roundabouts”, with 74 percent of respondents reporting that these should be done patiently “like a queue at a supermarket”. At junctions, drivers must give way to the right as you would at an uncontrolled intersection.
Americans may be used to wide highways, but they will find Britain’s narrow country lanes very different. Huge delays are common, but 57 per cent of drivers are happy to “wait in peace” when stuck behind farm vehicles blocking the road, seeing it as a “rustic charm”.
Freddy explains that these small streets are also where Americans would participate in the “ballet of passing cars”.
He warns that you should “wave politely when passing”.
According to 58 percent of drivers, the same subtle “royal wave” is expected as a thank you if you are allowed to merge. The main thing is to ensure that the wave is visible only in the rear-view mirror.
The second option is “double flash of hazard lights”, which is a way of saying “thank you” in the polite Morse code system preferred by 35 percent of Britons.
It’s natural for frustrations to arise, but 24 percent of respondents say it’s important that Americans “master the art of Zen-level patience” when searching.
Freddy explains that an accepted way of expressing irritation is to “shake the head”, with 34 percent of those surveyed saying this should be done in the manner of a “disappointed” school principal.
According to Freddy, visitors are also allowed to “flash their lights, blow their horns or mutter a little under their breath.”
He adds: “If you get noticed, just look in the mirror and turn on the radio.”
Rory Brimmer, UK managing director at Turo, commented: “British driving culture has many unwritten rules that can confuse visitors.
“Our research shows how ingrained these behaviors are – from formal [traffic circle] Dance to elaborate Thanksgiving protocol. For American visitors, understanding these nuances isn’t just about etiquette – it’s about avoiding the withering glances of frustrated British drivers.”
Freddy said: “After devoting many pots of tea to discussing driving etiquette with American visitors I have decided that a completely new nonverbal language has been instilled in every driver in the UK.”