Driving in the United Kingdom. Tips on Parking.
Tips to Help you Drive a Rental Car in the United Kingdom. (These tips do not represent driving rules but are the anectdotal observations of a driver in Britain.)
Britains drive on the left - one of the few countries in Europe to do so. Renting a car is daunting to visitors to Britain but with the help of a few basic tips you will sail through, I mean drive through, unscathed.
Parking your vehicle in the restricted space of Cities and out in the countryside of the U.K. can be a frustrating experience for the visitor - unless you have a little insider knowledge. Most countries differ in the way they set out their road and highway controls so here's a few tips on keeping on the right side of the good folk who police the roads of Britain.
- Never park or even wait on the white zig-zag marked area immediately before and beyond a pedestrian crossing. This area is strictly forbidden for obvious safety reasons.
- Parking is not allowed where the sides of the road are marked with double yellow lines.
- Inside a city or town, broken or intermittent white lines marking road sides usually designate parking allowed. Check adjacent signs for parking duration. Charges are sometimes levied with zonal meters that dispense tickets and allow time choices. Individual parking meters monitored by Meter-maids are normal in many cities.
- Larger cities often reserve areas for residents. Check for the notice adjacent to parking areas requiring a residents permit.
- Designated car parks, multi-story or open areas, are usually well marked with a 'P'. Follow the signs. These car parks are mainly automatic and have become quite sophisticated. Some allow you to pay at a machine and will give change before leaving, but it is prudent to always keep small change with you when parking as some older barrier systems require money up front.
- A word on so-called 'Private Parking Areas'. A recent and controversial growth of areas owned by private individuals or groups and protected by 'Clamping' companies has caught some drivers out with high recovery charges. To date this activity is legal so long as the private and restricted parking area is described on a visible sign somewhere in the immediate vicinity. The controversy comes when the signage is small and not immediately noticeable. To avoid getting a costly wheel clamp, stick to public parking areas and never be tempted to leave your car on a very convenient and apparently free piece of ground - it could catch you out.
- That just about covers the in-town areas, but don't be put off. Parking is easy and stress free as long as you follow the rules. Mostly they are intuative and the same goes for the highways. Out on the open road common sense prevails. Don't stop where you will cause a hazard, plenty of lay-byes are provided but if your luck runs out, switch on those hazards!
Be safe and invest in a document titled 'The Highway Code' sold at most good bookshops or by mail from The Stationary Office. Look for the TSO link for shipping options.
For more tips on Driving in the UK, move on to Driving in the United Kingdom - tips on driving in Britain.
Author: Brian Thomas, based in the U.K. is webmaster to BsureTravel.com - a hotel booking site who also writes travel articles and novels.
See also his site Brians Writings, Novels and Greetings Cards.
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