Americans First Time Driving in the UK - United Kingdom Road Trip Begins!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 พ.ค. 2022
- It's our first time in England and as our week in London is coming to an end, we are setting out on an epic UK road trip. It's also our first time driving in the UK, first time driving a car with right-hand drive, and the first time driving a manual transmission in over a decade. Maneuvering our way out of London is not the ideal first time experience of driving in the UK, but we manage to make it in one piece to our first destination.
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"I've driven in London, what else is there..."
Oh there is plenty, wait till you get down into the heart of Cornwall and the little roads there hehehe...
If you go to London again there are companies that do a trip. It takes you on the London eye. Then a river cruise on the Thames finishing with lunch at a hotel. Sunday's are best.
I hope you are.coming to North Yorkshire to visit Whitby to see Draculas castle!
LOL
I can see both sides as 40 years ago I was going around the old Hyde Park (Devils Corner) @ Marble Arch and the Old Trafalgar Square on driving lessons and Hyde Park roundabouts were all "every man for himself then so scary). As someone who first drove for 2 years in Inner London until I moved almost 40 years ago To The Suburbs,I felt that if I could drive amidst the chaos there I could drive anywhere but, as you know, other areas like Cornwall have their own special challenges:
You'll love Cornwall and Scotland
Managing to drive in central, then out on the M4 to Windsor is impressive guys… well done!
Thank you!
I hesitate doing it myself, and I live quite central.
Yep I'd never attempt it, neither would most very good UK drivers I know.
Amazing, I am English, am a confident driver who has driven all over the U.K. for 30 ish years, and would never have the confidence to drive in London.
@@cloverite It's just the same experience as driving in any other big UK city except you are haunted by a fear of breaking down near a landmark and bringing a large swath of civilisation to a standstill, like when I broke down in front of Jo Biden outside Glasgow.
From a Brit here, wow, you did amazing driving. I wouldn't like to drive in London and considering it's your first time and you haven't driven a manual for 10 years is phenomenal. You have some balls !!!
Thank you!
Ah the old stick shift.
Passed my test here in the UK in the seventies, never needed to drive an auto.
The idea of driving in London terrifies me!
@@MontytheHorse Not to mention trying to find somewhere to park!
I picked my first car up from London, drove it back to Shropshire no problem. 😂
Technically there is No "slow Lane" as the speed limit for each lane is the same.
We have a "Drive on the left & Return to the left " after overtaking rule. You can actually "Get Done" (get a ticket) if you stay in the middle lane (Lane 2) but I've never seen it enforced.
Oh.. I've been a Trucker for 35 years and have probably over 2 million miles under my right foot. You did alright in Landan. No one with a sane mind likes driving there !!
Good to know. Thank you!
What is the middle lane for if you have t move over to the left?
@@s125ish at peak times all 3 lanes will be in use. On a clear motorway you’ll probably find yourself in lane 1, just moving into lane 2 to overtake trucks.
@@s125ish You shouldn't sit in the middle lane its meant to be for overtaking. If you are driving faster than the left lane and overtaking vehicles that's ok. People sit at 50 in the middle and misuse the lane.
As a Brit and frequent traveller to the states I love your passion. Looking forward to the rest of your trip. You did great driving
Awesome! Thank you!
Don't know how I stumbled on your channel, but I sit and watch with a permanent smile on my face. It's fantastic to watch tourists experience what we take for granted and your enthusiasm is infectious. You also have more knowledge of London than many Londoners! Looking forward to seeing your next stop. You're heading towards some beautiful countryside.
There are very few YT videos that I spend the whole time smiling and loving the achievements made. This was one. I honestly feel happy and refreshed seeing your well deserved driving through London, and how much you are enjoying your time here. I hope the rest of the trip exceeds your expectations - there's a lot to see!
Wow, thank you! ❤
Oh, you guys! I'm absolutely loving watching your travels - as a fellow Brit, it's so nice to see you experiencing the UK - I can't wait to see where you're headed and what you get up to whilst you're here! I'm ready for the next episode already 🙌💕
The sweetest couple ever! Hope you enjoyed London, have a great UK grand tour and come back soon!
Thank you! ❤
Well done guys for driving in London. I did it for 30 years but I did have a blue light and a siren to help with the traffic . I was a cop working in Richmond for a while so your video brought back many memories for me . I thought I knew London quite well but you have opened my eyes to some more sights to visit . Don’t know why or how I found your channel but loving it so far .
Oh nice. Thank you for watching! ❤
Typical cop, ignoring the law when you feel like it
Congratulations! You did so well! Proud of you xx ❤️ Cara’s car!😀 looking forward to watching further eps! Please don’t keep me waiting too long! Windsor next? Lovely jubbly! Have fun 👍🏻🏴
Thank you!
Although I'm Scottish, I have lived in London for over 20 years and I have relatives who can't (or won't) drive in the city. Congratulations for mastering the art at your first go. If only it meant that everywhere else will be a breeze after London, but you still have our narrow country lanes to negotiate. Good luck with that! Really enjoying your content. You seem like a lovely couple.
Thank you! And yes, the narrow roads definitely bring a new challenge. 😆
Excellent - really impressed with the driving in London! AND your pronunciation of Southwark. Looking forward to the rest of your trip.
You overtake on the right if that makes sense, so yes the far left is the slower lane. Please make sure you visit Cheddar Gorge
Thank you!
I love your passion for my country, & especially for my home town of London. It really is lovely seeing it through your eyes!
Thank you!
Big ups to you guys. Americans having the balls to drive through central London in a right hook rental! Respect. I'm from Aussie and even I'd be reluctant to try that.
Lol thanks!
Well done super impressed. If you can drive in London, you can drive anywhere…..when driving on a motorway, always keep left. Never lane hog the central lane or other lanes as this is illegal and if stopped by the police can lead to an on the spot fine. Always over take other cars on the right side and never undertake. Other than that, enjoy.
and stay out of bus lanes in many places You will get fined
Try Delhi
Thank you!
And no right turn on red. Ever.
Not true in fact the police dont like drivers weaving in and out from the left lane to the outer. Also the AA recomends less lane changing. It definitely isnt illegal to drive more smoothly and avoid the slower traffic in the left lane.
Great video! I’m American living in England, and my first time driving, I was fighting my brain the whole time not to move over to the right. 😂
Lies!! An American with a brain?! *RUNS*
I was the same driving in America.
Who won?
Yeah, it definitely takes some time getting used to.
@@Zooumberg unnecessary comment.
True... but unnecessary.
Driven for years in this country (UK) and driving in Central London still freaks me out. Much respect to you guys.
I was smiling all the way through your video. You two have the likeability factor, so I was rooting for you when you started to drive through London, which isn't easy for Brits either. Well done. Have a great time in Cornwall, my ansums.
You asked about what else there is after driving in London well you could try the real narrow lanes here in Cornwall
Cornwall is beautiful
Cornwall is wonderful
And Devon , dont meet a tractor coming the other way down a single Lane track 😂
Once you know how to drive them, and the etiquette (what a British word), give me the narrow lanes of Cornwall any day.
Before driving in cornwall and devon on local roads and lanes practice reversing cos you will be doing lots of it! have fun in the uk
If you have time on your trip to Liverpool stop off in Chester it's beautiful! They have Roman walls that circle the city that you can take a walk round and the shopping streets are in "rows" which means you have an upper row of shops above the ground row. 👍🏻 Hope you enjoy the UK and the weather stays nice for you 🌞
Stumbled across your channel by accident. You guys are so upbeat and fun to watch. Enjoying watching your content and travels across the UK. Shame you're not visiting us in the east of England. Look forward to seeing the rest of your travels. You did really well driving in the UK for the first time and driving a manual.
You’re living my dream!! Just stumbled across your channel and so glad I did. Hoping I get to road trip through the UK one day 🤞🏼
Blimey, you're gonna be seeing more of the UK in your trip than I have in my 40 years of existence!
We did see a lot, but we now have even more places on our list for next time. 😆
@@TheMagicGeekdom Great. Really enjoying your vlogs :)
If it isn't already too late then you really need to check out the Lake District, most beautiful place in the country.
The Lake District is not on the agenda for this trip, but we'd love to visit. Hopefully next time!
I’m very proud of you for driving in London, I was a nervous wreck when I drove there from Liverpool. Good job.
Fantastic video. Make sure you pop into a 'Greggs' while you are over here because the sausage rolls and cakes are lovely and DEFINITELY part of British Life LOL. Have a fantastic time and drive safe . Cornwall is Gorgeous but narrow roads.
Regards
Nick
Thanks for the tip! We will have a video about Greggs later.
Well done on your first time driving in London!
Thank you!
There’s nothing more charming than people appreciating our country. I hope our fellow countrymen have been as kind to you as you have been to us!
Good luck on your trip. Really enjoying these videos!
Thank you so much!
I have been driving up and down from Liverpool to London for 50 years as we have family a sister who moved there and a brother in Essex. I always found getting into London a lot easier than driving out! You have done impressively well! X
Awww great vlog. Well done on the driving!! Im still trying to convince my hubby to drive in Florida in September 🤣 must be quite daunting on the wrong side of the road.
Looking forward to following your adventures over here! Cornwall is so beautiful. Hope you get the weather x
I've just passed my artic driving test. I might have to drive on the Continent. I have to say I am terrified.
Thank you!
When you drive on the narrow, winding West Country roads, Keep your speed right down.
Just found your channel, courtesy of The Mail and you're lovely people so I'm coming along on your journey. Look forward to it.
Well done on the London drive, you've just got the single lane rural roads to tackle now.
I’m from the UK near London and everyone calls it ‘Big Ben’. I didn’t even know it was called ‘Elizabeth Tower’ 😂 x
Its ok to call the monument/building Big Ben. When you look at a clock, you're not, as the clock is the mechanism. You look at the clock face! When you look at either of the four faces of the Elizabeth tower, you are looking at the face/s of Big Ben. Way i look at it & people will always call it Big Ben lol. 🇬🇧
Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower
I think most people know it as Big Ben.
@@martinryder6910 Yes we know! Lol
@@TheMagicGeekdom They do & will continue to 👍🇬🇧❤🇺🇸
Well, I must say that I’m extremely impressed and so proud of you guys embarking on what I would say was a near suicidal baptism of fire for your first English drive. We got a taxi from Waterloo station to Claridges hotel, and the traffic was moving so fast. I thought “how the hell does the driver know which lane to get in?” I am English but there is no way I would drive in Central London, only the suburbs. As everyone says it gets much easier from now on. I think the best way to remember it is that the slow lane is on your husband’s side on a motorway or dual carriageway. Hope you enjoy the little harbours in Cornwall and the rest of your trip, and hope the weather holds up for you. Will continue watching with interest.
THere is no such thing as a 'slow lane', though. Just remember, only overtake on the right - then pull back in to the left.
Love seeing your travels, your both great to watch. On your way to Cornwall also see if you can visit Dartmoor in Devon - it’s beautiful. Safe travels 🙂.
Cara, you are a rock star! I love that you took on the driving challenge.
Well done, you did great. I've driven in London many times, but even a lot of Brits are scared to do it so that was brave of you. Erm we do have the odd roundabout or two lol.
Lol just one or two roundabouts though, right? 😂
@@TheMagicGeekdom Whatever you do, don't go to Swindon. The 'Magic Roundabout' there will blow your mind.
Hi guys. Loving your enthusiasm for our country, thank you. If, and as and when you get to Cornwall, treat yourselves and try and get to Berryfields Farm on the north coast near Padstowe and Trevose Golf Club. The strawberry cream teas are sublime. Trust me you will love them. Have fun, Curly xx
Thank you for the suggestion! We already went to Cornwall, but we will definitely be back, so next time!
@@TheMagicGeekdom i was waiting for the Cornwall video ;)
Really love watching you guys and looking forward to seeing your travels
Thanks so much!
Love these current videos ,your both really likeable and could watch you for hours, currently going through the back catalogue 😂 well done 👏🏻
Awesome! Thank you, that's so sweet!
Great video, although you had me worried when you were asking which lane was the slow lane. If you had looked to your right you would have seen cars passing you in the fast lane.
Well done for driving in London, it's a stressful experience 😅 so pleased to hear you are visiting Newcastle as a local here there are a few places you don't want to miss, obviously Newcastle city centre and quayside is lovely and worth a visit, but it's nice to venture outside of it you will find Beamish open air living museum which is amazing you can literally step back in time visit the manor house, ride the steam train and trams, visit the 1905 town with pub bakery sweet shop and dentist go down a mine in the pit village and have traditional fish and chips from the chip shop there, there's a farm a new 1950's street it's simply brilliant you would love it. Also the coast in this area is amazing Whitley bay, Tynemouth and South Shields are lovely to visit, but you can travel slightly further north past Alnwick which has the castle where some of Harry potter was filmed, onto bamburgh which has another stunning castle and beautiful coast! And then a tiny bit further north you can cross the causeway onto holy island where you can access it at low tide (be sure to check the tides) there you will find lindesfarne priory which was pillaged by the Vikings the island has an amazing history not many overseas tourists know about it although it's very locally known, and you practically have to pass it on the A1 on route to Edinburgh. Enjoy your travels here 👍🏻😍
Thank you for the recommendations.
@@TheMagicGeekdom you are welcome, enjoy your trip 👍🏻😍
As an ex-Brit now Canadian my hats of to you. Driving for the first time in the UK in central London is very brave. Well done guys.
Well done on the driving. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Thanks, will do!
yay! Liverpool welcome guys i think you'll love Liverpool
Thanks!
Good job, I think I could never do it, I mean driving in England. Even though I'm a European and I learned to drive with manual transmission and in a busy city, and my first three cars were manual. You're the good kind of tourists, too.
I'm sure you could. Every year thousands of Brits go to Europe, either in their own cars or hiring one on arrival, and we rarely have problems driving on the right. After the first few hours most people soon adjust to it.
Thank you! It isn't so bad outside of London.
Just like to add to the complements on your driving in UK/London for the first time, very well done. Also looking forward to your trip to Cornwall, its the favourite part of my country.
Lovely vlog! Richmond is one of the good areas. Kew Gardens is nearby and so beautiful 😍
Oh we'll have to check out Kew Gardens next time. Thanks!
Thats pretty impressive, driving in London can be daunting for a lot of brits outside the city
I wouldn’t attempt it
The most daunting part is paying the congestion charge.
Well done! Never driven in central London myself so to see you having your first UK driving experience there is really impressive! Hope you had a great trip, your enthusiasm is so infectious!
Thanks! 😃 Our trip was so great. Hope you enjoy the videos!
Travelling in your company is a real pleasure. Congratulations on your driving...London can be a bit of a
"frightener" for many, not least for anyonme used to driving on the opposite side of the road! I recall my
own initial trepidation when visiting US family in Louisiana some decades ago - setting out in the big
rented Chevrolet for the Gulf, reminding myself repeatedly about who had "right of way". Stay safe and
have fun on your travels.
Lol yes that sounds familiar. Thank you!
I started watching your channel only a few months back. Both of you are so genuine and lovely and I get so much from just watching your perspective on things.. Now I'm getting your view of London where I was born and grew up and seeing it through your eyes is as you guys would say "awesome"
If you visit Windsor Castle I do recommend paying the extra to view the dolls house as it's something I've never forgot.
You are very brave driving in central London. I am British and have only driven in London once and would always avoid! :)
I can understand why you'd want to avoid it. 😃
Well done, I'm a Brit and wouldn't drive in London! You did really well considering it's your first time driving here on the opposite side of the road in a strange car with a manual gearbox that you're not used to. 👏
Thanks! 😃
An American musician friend of mine has no problem driving in the UK but can't cope with a RHD car. The tours always start and finish in France and the car hired there.
WOW. you guys really went all out on this trip, I can't wait to see more.. and when you return to the states to see what you get up to next. such a humble channel !!! quickly becoming one of my favourites =D
Thank you so much!
Have been enjoying watching your trip, so fun! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!
Just remember to give way to vehicles approaching from the right at a roundabout and you'll be fine.
Thank you!
It will forever be known as Big Ben no matter the official name
Lol that seems fair.
Visit Dean Village when you are in Edinburgh…the old buildings are amazing and theres a walkway beside the water of Leith. Its literally a 10 minute walk from Princes Street.
Thank you for the suggestion!
I have watched three of your videos I am really enjoying them so I have subscribed to your channel
It's actually a legal requirement to wear a seat belt...
I don't think anyone was questioning that. 🤔
As a Brit I wouldn't drive in London. It's full of aggressive, inconsiderate drivers. Get on the outside of the M25 and meet real people.
Will do. Thanks!
You guys probably have your itinerary all sorted, but thought I'd mention- if you have time- a stop in chester on the way to Liverpool has a lot to offer for an afternoon.
Walled city. Roman remains. Riverside walks. Nice pubs and restaurants. All very walkable. And the second most photographed clock in the UK!
Anyway enjoy your trip you guys seem awesome
Looking forward to seeing your UK adventure. You'll probably see more places in your stay than many Brits have in their lifetime !
Thank you!
you guys are awesome lol new subscriber. love your enthusiasm and it isnt easy driving in Central London of all places!
you two are actually the happiest couple i’ve ever seen
You get a gold star for making a journey through central London as your first time on the road in the UK and in a manual car after 10 years in an automatic.
Thanks for that! My once long-lost (like 50 years lost) and now found cousin who lives in Georgia has been over here four times since 2016 with friends and/or her husband. The first time I ever rode in the same car as her was as scary for me as it was for her driving, an experience I understand from riding a motorbike in France. My cousin is here at the mo a few days ahead of you but this time she and her friend are travelling by train. Enjoy your road trip - this is a very varied island with people from all over the world including other tourists. I've stood on a bridge over a small river in Scotland chatting with a couple who had motorbiked from southern Italy and a Chinese couple on a package tour - having a three way conversation me having to translate their English between them at times which was kind of fun, interesting and geeky.
You are so enthusiastic it made me grin from ear to ear. It reminded me of a trip I did with a colleague to Houston and they gave us a KIA. It was very funny when you saw most of the tyres passing us by were bigger than the car and every time he went to change gear he punched the door. On an empty 7 gazillion lane highway back to the airport in the morning he managed to hit a pair of ladders, still don't know how to this day, I just said "they'll be happy as Larry to see you back at budget"
1st time watch, and thought, this couple are cool, and look forward to your adventures in the UK, so you have another subscriber! Cheers, enjoy the UK!
P.S. before Cornwall, check-out the wonderful sights of Devon, its on route..
Awesome! Thank you!
OK - I'm 10 seconds in and so far all I can say is props for you driving in London!!!
Hi both. Just discovered you channel. You mention tower bridge, a few years ago I got the opportunity to raise and lower the bridge to allow a tall ship to travel up the river. It was fantastic!!
Top marks for driving through London as a first UK drive; a lot of Brits like myself hate the experience.
And don't miss out on a drive through the Lake District..... Wonderful scenery!
Enjoy!
Thank you!
Hi and well done driving on the 'opposite' side of the road in London,I've been following your vids and enjoying them very much 😎 As you are going to Cornwall try to visit Falmouth if poss,we were there Sept last year and enjoyed it very much,especially the boat trip on the River Fal up to Trelissick Garden and Truro.Will keep watching your future vids,have a great time,best wishes .Alan
Have a brilliant time in the UK , love your vids. Love to see what you think of Yorkshire
Good to see you enjoying Richmond - I know that pub very well. Enjoy Windsor and your onward journey 👍
I love this video I think you did one hell of a job on it.
You guys are awesome, love your chemistry so much. Well done driving here in the UK I'm a professional driver myself and think driving in the US easier so think you've done an awesome job. Look forward to seeing more videos from you both. Oh yeah the left lanes are classed as the slow lanes and the middle and outside lanes used for overtaking. Top tip use your indicators as much as possible especially on roundabouts, we have some bad drivers over here.
You did a great job with the driving!
Richmond is beautiful, particularly by the river, so I highly recommend you spend more time there if you ever visit again.
Thank you! Hopefully we can spend more time in Richmond next time. From what we saw, it seemed lovely.
You did a great job! I’m a Londoner since birth. I’ve driven in many countries, the US multiple times, but driving in central london is my least favourite driving experience (except possibly Boston during ‘the big dig’). Massive respect 🤟🏻
You did brilliantly really well done impressive. X
First time driving is in central London. Talk about in at the deep end! Am impressed.
Thanks!
Really loving your UK trip videos so far! I am so impressed that you drove in London, I would never even consider it and I'm British! 😂 If you ever get to come back then you should consider touring the South West of England, we have a lot of great stuff round here (not just Stonehenge haha)!
When you visit devon and Cornwall, recommend you check out the scenery of North Devon, especially Lynton and Lynmouth, also look out for the Valley of the rocks
Thanks for the recommendation!
i live in richmond and have always wondered what they are filming at the pub on the green. thanks for the explanation! come back to england soon. your videos are excellent.
Love your videos enjoy your stay here in the UK 😊
Well done for driving in London I have had my UK Drivers License for forty years and the prospect of driving there fills me with dread
Try and go through the Cotswolds as you head up north, it’s beautiful x
Haha brilliant.Good that you'll see York. It's a beautiful city. York Minster will leave an impression upon you.
Reckon you'll love the shambles too.
Have fun. 👍
Thank you!
Great video guys, you did really well driving in London as your first try. Sorry to break it to you but there will be lots of roundabouts to come on your trip. I get equally confused by your four way stop signs! Have a great trip! 😀
The roundabouts are becoming more common in the US, but not as common as there.
Very courageous for you to drive around London on the opposite side of the road to you're normal driving.
On our last visit to the UK (from Australia), I picked up a hire car near Heathrow airport and got unbelievably lost trying to connect with the M4. I'd done it a few times before with no problem but that time I obviously missed a turn and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get back on it. It took me almost an hour to get back on to it.
That's a great effort - Windsor not easy to get around, and the M4 is busy ! Much respect !
Thank you!
You are one of the nicest american couples I've seen on youtube and it's just great you enjoyed this little country of ours and it's diversity of food and people.👍
Wow, thank you!
great couple and I
enjoyed the video...
Yay well done 👏 I wouldn't even attempt to drive in London lol. New sub and looking forward to seeing your road trip adventures. Blessings from Scotland 😊
Thank you!
Hope you both enjoy your trip