How to drive a right-hand drive vehicle
Most countries use left-hand drive vehicles that drive on the right side of the road. But other countries, such as England, use right-hand drive vehicles that drive on the left side of the road. And while this is normal for drivers who have learned to drive in these conditions, it can be a challenge for those who are not used to doing so. With a little practice, however, driving a right-hand drive vehicle can be easily learned.
Get used to the controls. The pedals on a right-hand drive vehicle are the same as those on a left-hand drive vehicle, so the clutch pedal is on the left (near the center of the car), the brake pedal is in the middle and the accelerator is on the right. The major difference is that the gear lever is controlled with the left hand instead of the right. Push in the clutch and move the lever through the gears to get used to the positions. The first gear is to the left and up or down, depending on the car and the number of gears it has. Second is straight back (or up and slightly to the right), third is up and to the right, fourth is straight back and fifth is up and to the right of third. If you are in doubt about the shift pattern, look for a diagram on the lever, or you can consult your owner’s manual.
Depress the clutch with your left foot and turn the ignition key (usually located to the right of the steering wheel, or sometimes to the left) to start the engine. Keep your right hand at the three o’clock position on the steering wheel and place your left hand on the shift lever. Move the lever to the first gear position.
Slowly release the clutch until it starts to engage (usually about halfway down the pedal stroke) and the car will move forward. When this happens, press the accelerator pedal gently using your right foot, so the vehicle will move forward. Release the clutch completely and continue to accelerate with the appropriate pedal. Place your left hand on the steering wheel.
Shift into second gear when the engine is between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm (revolutions per minute). To shift, depress the clutch, use your left hand to move the lever to the second gear position, then release the clutch slowly and progressively. Continue upshifting to the next gear in the same RPM range as the car continues to accelerate.
Position the car on the road by aligning the centerline of the road with the point where the edge of the right windshield meets the top of the door. The exact position varies from car to car. This is the opposite position of a left-hand drive car on the right side of the road. When you drive a right-hand drive car, you generally drive on streets where the left side of the road is occupied. If you drive one of these vehicles in the United States or elsewhere where you drive on the right side of the road, use the left side of the car as a reference so you don’t get in the wrong lane. If that doesn’t work, use another type of visual reference for where the car is in relation to the road. For example, use the painted lines in a parking lot to determine where the car is in relation to the lines. This will become easier as you get used to it.
To stop the car, press the brake pedal with your right foot. As the vehicle slows, downshift by pressing the clutch with your left foot and moving the shift lever to the next down position with your left hand. When fully braking, place the lever in neutral, that is, between the first and second (and third and fourth) positions.
For reverse, press the clutch and move the shift lever to the reverse position with your left hand. Use the mirrors and turn your head to see where you are going. Reverse can be in different places in relation to the other positions. It can be to the left and up (by pushing the lever down at the same time) or to the right and behind the fifth position.