Places to Visit while on a Motoring Holiday

By +David Lenton, posted on August 23rd, 2011

UK Driving Holidays

Traveling through the UK by car can be a relaxing way to enjoy the countryside and get a taste of the big city at the same time. If you really want to discover a new place in the UK, hiring or buying a car gives you more independence and freedom to explore the areas of the country that you like best at your own leisure.

Exploring England – London and the Countryside

England is best explored by car, but navigating London in a car can be challenging. It is extremely difficult to find parking in London, and you will need to pay a congestion charge if you venture too far into the centre of the city. However, you may be able to see small little shops and places that you would not have been able to visit if you had not chosen to travel by car. You could spend weeks in London and only barely scratch the surface, and you will always be able to find something to do and see in this amazing city.

If you would rather travel outside of the city of London on holiday, you can also visit the countryside. You will find breath-taking vistas and quaint cottages nestled throughout, and you may be able to rent one of these small, delightful cottages while you are on holiday.

For a relaxing trip away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the countryside in England is one of the best places to visit by car.

Touring Scotland – Edinburg and the Scottish Castles

The Loch Ness is one of the most attractive and alluring places to visit in Scotland. You can also take a tour of the legendary city of Edinburg and spend some time marvelling over the Scottish castles populating the countryside. Scotland can be travelled by car relatively easily, and you will be able to quickly see which this country is so well liked by all travellers.

Visiting Ireland

Ireland is another country worthy of notice. You can visit Ireland by car to uncover a number of hidden secrets. Visiting the pubs and bars in Ireland will be an unforgettable experience. These are the places that the country is most well known for, and you can easily spend quite a bit of time meandering through the winding roads and enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounds you in Ireland.

Drive For a HolidayThe Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is a very small island located off the coastline. You can visit the Isle of Man and rent a car to use as your mode of transit while you are exploring the land. If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing motoring holiday, the Isle of Man is one of the premier destinations in the UK.

While traveling to any area of the UK, it is important to always carry your UK driver’s license, your registration, and valid proof of insurance with you. You should also ensure that your insurance will cover you wherever you may decide to go. If you are currently looking for a quick way to compare quotes from different insurers online, you can visit the homepage of this site. We provide you with all of the resources and tools that you need to find the right amount of cover at the right price.

To fully enjoy your motoring holiday, it is best to be prepared for anything and have all of the appropriate documentation in order. With everything that you need, you can set out on your next adventure and take pleasure in every moment.

Driving in France

Driving to France

Visiting France can be an exciting and pleasurable experience, but you may also want to be prepared for a change in driving laws, regulations, and requirements.

Switching Sides

If you are driving from England to France, you are going to have to switch sides of the road at some point. In England, people drive on the left side of the road. People in France and other countries drive on the right. It may take some time before you can get used to driving on the right side of the road. When you begin driving on the opposite side of the road, you should take more time and be cautious since your instinct is to drive on the left. Try to stay focused and attentive after making this switch so that you do not cause harm to yourself or anyone else.

Common Laws and Driving Regulations in France

France also has many different laws and regulations on driving than the UK. For instance, a person must be 18 years of age or older in order to legally drive on French roads. If you are 17 and have a UK license, you will still not be able to legally drive in France until you have turned 18.

You must also carry a reflective safety jacket with you in the vehicle in the event that you are involved in an accident or you stop to assist someone else that has been in an accident.

Another item that you will need to have in your car are triangle reflectors that can be placed behind your cars if you are in an accident.

Priority from the Right

In France, it is extremely common for cars turning right to have priority. “Priorite a Droite” is a sign that you may see often in France, so make sure that you are aware if you are traveling to an area where this holds true. If you do not abide by this driving code, other drivers may become quite annoyed with you.

UK Driving License and Insurance

In France, you are required to carry a drivers’ license. Your UK driving license will be sufficient. If you do not have your license with you while driving in France, you will be fined heavily. You should also have adequate insurance that will carry over from the UK to France. Simply having UK car insurance may not be enough, so you might want to check with your insurance company to see what you need to do to add a EU extension to your insurance policy.

Insurance is required in all major European countries, and you can quickly compare a number of different policies on the homepage of this site. At Car Insurance Comparison UK, you will find all of the information that you need to make the best decision on your next insurance policy, and you will also find the resources that you need to accurately compare quotes from various companies.

After you have your insurance policy, you should be issued a green card that you can carry with you across country lines in Europe.

Drive Safely In FranceOther Considerations to Make when Driving in France

Your car registration should be carried with you at all times, and you should also have your headlamps adjusted accordingly. Since you will be driving on the right side of the road in France, you will find that your headlights dazzle oncoming drivers if not appropriately positioned for right side driving.

With these factors in mind, you can make traveling to France a more enjoyable experience for everyone. You should also make sure to look carefully through the list of driving signs so that you will understand any hazards that may be present while you are driving.

Driving in England, tips to make things go a little smoother!

Driving in London

Driving in London can be a hectic experience. Knowing the road rules and regulations will help you better navigate the roads. There are some fees associated with driving in London, especially in the central downtown area. There are several modes of public transit that can be used in place of driving in London, but if you absolutely have to drive, here are some pointers to remember.

Rules and Regulations to Remember

When driving in London, you should be aware that it is customary to drive on the left side of the road rather than the right. It is particularly important to note this if you are traveling from outside of Britain. You will also need to have a valid UK driver’s license in order to legally operate a vehicle. UK law also prohibits motorists from driving without adequate insurance, so you will also have to make sure that you have a policy that will cover you when you drive in London.

You can quickly check insurance rates to ensure that you have the appropriate amount of cover by navigating back to our homepage. You can also complete a comparison with Car Insurance Comparison UK to ensure that you have the most affordable policy for your needs.

Fees Associated with Driving in London

When you begin your trip across greater London, you may realise that parking fees are very expensive, costing eight to twenty pounds or even more for one hour of parking. The best thing to do is research beforehand to find free parking spaces in London. (These parking areas are not common, and they are usually found on the outskirts of the downtown area.)

Also, if you prefer to park near the city centre, you will find that there are very few parking areas available, even for a fee. If you have a destination in mind, it is a good idea to make sure that there is a public parking area nearby that you will be able to use at the time of your arrival.

If you plan to drive into the “Inner Ring Road” between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:30 PM, you will be charged a congestion fee as per the government. There are several CCTV cameras in place to ensure that every driver pays the recommended ‘congestion charge’ of 8 pounds per day.

Precautions to Take While Driving

Safely Driving Around LondonDriving can be a very intense experience, especially in the congested downtown area. Local drivers are very keen to keep the traffic flow at an acceptable level, and as such, it is best to plan ahead of time so that you will know exactly which route you will have to take to get to your destination.

A map is essential to anyone unfamiliar with London, and you should peruse this map prior to the beginning of your drive so that you can mark out your route. This will help you make the correct driving decisions on the road so that you don’t get turned around or lost. As with most major cities, London is a complex interconnection of roads that can easily confuse anyone not familiar with the area.

Once you have your map in hand, do be sure to abide by all traffic laws. The speed limit in the city is 30 mph, and you will often not even be able to reach this speed if you are traveling during peak traffic times.

Driving in London can be an exciting experience, but it is best to be prepared before you set off on your adventure so that you can make the experience of navigating the city even more enjoyable.

Driving in Ireland

Taking a Drive in Ireland

Driving in Ireland will be very similar to driving in parts of the UK. If you are taking your first trip to Ireland, renting a car to explore the area can be a great way to find out more about the country than you would if you visited the local touristy areas. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you are driving in Ireland so that you can abide by all laws and common driving practices.

Driving Laws and Regulations

In Ireland, you will drive on the left side of the road the same way you would in England. If you are unfamiliar with this type of driving, it may take some getting used to since your instincts will tell you to pull to the right. You should be prepared to drive on the left if you are going to travel in Ireland, and you should also abide by all speed limits. Unlike other areas of Europe, Ireland has now adopted signs using the metric system. The speed will be listed in kilometres, as will the distance. All of the speeds noted on the signs are strictly enforced, and you may get caught in various speed traps while traveling in Ireland.

Items to Have with You While Driving

Driving in IrelandYou will need to have a few different documents available in case you are pulled over by the police in Ireland. You are required to carry some form of insurance, a UK driver’s license, and your motor vehicle’s current registration information. Having these documents with you at all times will prevent confusion from arising if you have to interact with the authorities. If your driver’s license does not have a picture of you, you may also want to carry your passport so that you can identify yourself with a picture ID.

As for insurance, you are required to carry third party insurance at minimum. This insurance will cover the other party in an accident, but not your vehicle. You can opt for any amount of insurance as long as you have the third party taken care of, and you do not need a green card from your insurer to travel to Ireland. Your insurance company may need to be informed of your travels though, so it is best to let them know that you plan to leave the country.

If you do not have insurance that will be active in Ireland, you can quickly compare rates on policies from the homepage of this site.

Toll Roads

In Ireland, you will find a lot of toll roads along the way. You will be forced to pay for your use of the road, but the tolls do not accept cash. You will need to take some other form of payment with you so that you can afford to pay the tolls in a timely fashion.