Driving in Scotland? Listed below are 13 HELPFUL Suggestions

All that you must learn about driving in Scotland. No journey to the UK is full with out a cease off in Scotland, house to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Scotch Whiskey, Loch Ness (and its monster), and countless, superb landscapes. Whereas the UK has one of many densest rail networks wherever on the planet, we predict there’s no higher method to discover Scotland than renting a automotive and getting on the highway.

That is very true for those who’re planning on heading to these components of the nation – together with its many island teams and the North Coast 500 route – that the railways merely don’t attain.

And whereas organized excursions definitely have their place, we love the liberty and alternatives that self-driving in Scotland provides. Issues like – do you have to be nervous about having to drive on the ‘unsuitable’ aspect of the highway? What are the roads like within the Highlands? And what else ought to you understand earlier than driving in Scotland?

Learn on to find all the within data that you must know! No – you don’t want prior driving expertise in Scotland to deal with an epic Scottish highway journey!

Psst – Uncover Automotive Rent is my most popular automotive rental firm for driving in Scotland. Click on to match charges!

Suggestions for Driving in Scotland

What do you Want for Driving in Scotland?

Excellent news! Guests to Scotland can drive for as much as one calendar 12 months with a regular US driving license. When you can drive a automotive within the US, it’s also possible to drive the identical kind of automotive in Scotland!

The one factor that you must drive in Scotland is insurance coverage, which is a authorized requirement. If utilizing the automotive of a buddy or member of the family, they are going to want third-party insurance coverage (permitting anybody to drive their automobile), whereas rental automobiles will include their very own insurance coverage insurance policies. It’s greatest to have a passport on you when renting a automotive in Scotland.

It’s additionally a authorized requirement in Scotland to put on a seat belt/security belt always, no matter whether or not you’re the driver or a passenger. The police are licensed to positive anybody who isn’t carrying a seat belt, and for those who don’t pay within the ticket, a warrant could be issued to your arrest.

There isn’t a statute of limitation on this warrant, so any return go to to the UK (or presently any EU nation) may land you with a go to from the police – and an excellent heftier positive.

The place Do you Lease a Automotive in Scotland?

Search on-line earlier than you arrive in Scotland for the perfect automotive rental offers. I typically wish to examine comparability websites so I can get the perfect costs. My favorites to take a look at are:

Cell Telephones and Driving in Scotland

Fines are additionally given out to those that use their cell telephones when driving. It is just permitted to obtain calls in case you are utilizing a hands-free package that doesn’t require you to take your palms from the wheel.

Even so, we’d strongly suggest avoiding utilizing your cell in any respect when driving, because you’ll be touring alongside roads which might be new to you. When you plan to make use of your mobile phone as a navigation support, you will have to discover a manner of putting it securely on the windscreen or have somebody take care of it for you. We suggest a great automotive sprint holder.

Drive on the Left in Scotland

Whenever you go on a Scotland drive, you’ll see that you will need to drive on the left. All 4 nations that make up the UK (Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Eire) drive on the left-hand aspect of the highway – in contrast to the US and most of continental Europe.

We discovered it surprisingly straightforward to adapt to the change, maybe as a result of every part contained in the automobile is ‘reversed’ too. However be careful on quiet roads or when approaching roundabouts or different junctions; it’s straightforward to relapse into what you’re used to doing at house!

You’ll discover the steering wheel on the automobile’s right-hand aspect and the gear shift in guide transmission automobiles on the driving force’s left, alongside the parking brake. Nevertheless, the order of the pedals stays the identical as in North America and a lot of the EU: specifically clutch (for guide automobiles), foot brake, and gasoline pedal, from left to proper. (The gasoline pedal is normally often known as the accelerator pedal, and the trunk is named the boot.)

At roundabouts, give method to site visitors in your right-hand aspect. If there is no such thing as a site visitors in your proper, it’s your proper of manner, and you’ll proceed with warning. Don’t neglect to initially flip left across the roundabout!

Know Your Automobile

Be sure you’re glad along with your automobile earlier than you embark on any journey. You’ll already be barely extra nervous than regular about driving on the opposite aspect of the highway, and also you don’t need to make issues extra anxious by not having the ability to discover what you want afterward.

Most automobiles in Scotland are guide transmission, which means you’ll must shift gears your self. Automatics can be found for those who’re renting a automotive in Scotland and never assured utilizing a guide. Be sure you notice that you really want an computerized automotive clear on the time of reserving – they typically price additional.

As a psychological guidelines, ask if you understand how to function the headlights, indicator lights, and hazard lights. Additionally ensure you know the best way to have interaction reverse gear, which might require pushing down a button or comparable, which isn’t at all times instantly obvious.

Whereas it’s additionally value realizing the place the automobile’s horn is, drivers in Scotland use their horn solely sparingly when it’s completely essential to keep away from an accident or draw consideration to one thing urgently.

Distances and Speeds to Know When You Drive Scotland

Distances and speeds are measured in miles, identical to within the US. The velocity restrict is normally signposted on every new stretch of highway or change in velocity. Look out for spherical white indicators with a purple edge and a quantity within the heart.

If doubtful in regards to the velocity of a specific stretch of highway, you should use the next fundamental guidelines: motorways – the Scottish equal of highways – are denoted by an M. As an example, the M8 runs between Edinburgh and Glasgow. All motorways have a most velocity restrict of 70 mph, though over-road signage might cut back this given site visitors or climate circumstances. They’re coloured blue on maps and highway indicators.

The identical velocity restrict is in drive for twin carriageways (mini two-lane highways). Exterior of built-up areas, the velocity restrict is usually 50 mph, whereas in additional city areas (wherever with road lighting), the utmost velocity is often 30 mph – though round colleges it may be as little as 20 mph.

Some rural roads could also be single lane (and roads are typically fairly slender in comparison with these within the US in any case). There’ll typically be passing locations that permit automobiles to drag apart to permit automobiles coming in the other way to go. (Talking of which, don’t park in passing locations – solely ever use devoted parking areas.)

Pace limits are limits, not targets; solely drive as quick as feels protected. Attempt to not fear if locals who know the roads higher than you go you at a protected place on the highway.

Gas in Scotland

Vehicles in Scotland can use both gasoline (often known as petrol) or diesel. Positively don’t get these confused! Rental automobiles will typically have a sticker beside the filler cap of the gasoline tank to remind you, however not at all times, so by no means assume.

Though gasoline stations are referred to as petrol stations, they promote each gasoline and diesel. Not like within the US, for those who see a gasoline station, you could be certain they promote diesel too. All gasoline is unleaded with inexperienced pump handles, whereas diesel pumps are coloured black.

Gasoline stations are fairly straightforward to seek out and look a lot the identical as these all through the remainder of the world. Many on the town and metropolis facilities, resembling in Edinburgh or Glasgow, are open 24 hours a day. Elsewhere, they are going to be open from early morning till late at night time. In additional rural areas, gasoline stations are much less quite a few, so it’s sensible to refill if you see one.

These within the countryside additionally are typically locally-run quite than operated by giant gasoline firms, however this doesn’t have an effect on the standard of the gasoline. You’ll pay the very best costs on highways.

Gas is considerably dearer than within the US – attempt to not look shocked if you first refill. Not like within the US, gasoline is offered by the liter. You may refill your tank solely or fill as much as a sure value or quantity by eye. Gasoline pumps are largely self-service: drive up, fill your tank, after which pay. You’ll must go inside to pay; simply inform the cashier the pump quantity or level by means of the window.

Parking and Different Prices of Driving in Scotland

Discovering a parking area in a busy metropolis heart at peak instances generally is a little bit of a trial for everybody. Parking areas on the highway itself could be recognized by bays marked out on the highway floor with white paint. You’ll want to verify all 4 wheels of your automobile are contained in the bay, and it’s thought of well mannered to keep away from utilizing a bay which is just too small to your automotive, even when all 4 wheels are squeezed in. Cities and cities will typically have signposted automotive parks and multi-story automotive parks. 

Whether or not parking areas are free to make use of or require a ticket is all the way down to particular person councils. Privately-operated public automotive parks (the biggest operator of which is NCP) are sadly by no means free.

Having parked up in a bay, you will have to purchase a ticket from a meter/machine. Some will make you pay for a sure size of time, whereas others will give you a barcoded/time-stamped ticket with the price calculated if you plan to depart the area. Parking in accommodations (for those who’re a visitor), and at vacationer sights can generally be free, however within the metropolis facilities you’ll most likely need to pay for a carpark even at your lodge.

A median price is £20/night time. Exterior of the foremost cities and cities, the place bank cards is perhaps accepted, anticipate to need to pay for parking with cash in British kilos sterling.

There are not any toll roads or toll bridges in Scotland. Even Scotland’s highways (motorways) are free to make use of.

Driving in Scotland within the Winter

The joke goes that driving in winter refers to driving in Scotland at any time of 12 months apart from one week in August. This joke highlights the truth that climate circumstances can change rapidly at any time of 12 months. After driving round Scotland in early October I can positively say that is true.

Scotland shouldn’t be resistant to snowfall; it snows for about 15 to twenty days throughout the winter months of December to February. That mentioned, snowfall is often nowhere close to what you is perhaps used to in Austria, or elsewhere in Europe and barely impacts highway journey for lengthy.

Lengthy winter nights (when the solar can set as early as 3 pm) and foggy days are far more of a hazard. The perfect recommendation is to drive additional fastidiously at these instances, and in case you are scared or hesitant, keep away from lengthy highway journeys.

Consuming and Driving in Scotland

It’s a Scottish reality, that Scotland has a few of the most stringent drink-drive legal guidelines on the planet. They’re even tighter than these south of the border in England – some extent value noting if you may be driving between the 2 nations.

The authorized restrict in Scotland is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath (or 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood). That is equal to lower than one pint of beer, and fewer than one glass of wine. It’s taken fairly a success on eating places and bars as most individuals who would normally get pleasure from a glass of wine or two at dinner at the moment are sticking to water. The excellent news is it has drastically diminished the quantity of drunk driving accidents.

Police carry transportable breathalyzer kits and may request to check any driver they believe of being over the restrict. Refusing a roadside breathalyzer check is a severe offense in Scotland and can lead to your arrest. If obligatory, you could be pressured by the courts to provide a blood pattern.

Timing Suggestions for Driving in Scotland

Roads are at their busiest throughout the peak hours of seven:30 – 9:30 within the morning and 4:00 – 6:30 within the night particularly within the cities when most individuals are commuting to or from work. Even throughout quieter intervals of the day, there’ll most likely be extra site visitors than you might be used to at house, since Scotland is sort of a densely populated nation for its measurement.

Nevertheless when you’re within the countryside, it’s fairly straightforward to get off the crushed path and away from different automobiles.

Are you Planning on Crossing into England?

Must you be planning to cross into England at any level, you are able to do this with out difficulty; there are not any customs or immigration checks between the 2 nations. When you miss the highway signal welcoming you to both nation, you gained’t even understand you’ve crossed a nationwide border!

Don’t Drive within the Bus Lanes

Don’t drive in devoted bus lanes that may be present in cities and cities, and keep away from coming to a cease in yellow cross-hatch areas, which demark areas of congestion that ought to be stored clear always.

Watch Out for the Highland Cows!

Loads of sheep, cows, and even deer roam the Scottish countryside so thoughts your velocity and provides these animals the area they deserve. You may come throughout just a few of them on the highway!

That’s it; we informed you it was easy! From distances and speeds to gasoline and parking concerns, we’ve given you all our recommendations on driving in Scotland. Now you might be geared up with road-tripping to a few of the greatest areas of Scotland. What else can we are saying however have a good time! See right here for info on renting a automotive in Scotland.

Above all, get pleasure from driving in Scotland. We are able to’t wait so that you can take all of it in!