Driving your motorhome on the wrong side of the road

[Widge]

Hello Clive, nice to see you around.

We have a RHD MH and a LHD car, so swapping between the two keeps my hand in. The MH also has parabolic mirrors on both sides which cover the blind spots, both horizontally and vertically, so helps whichever side of the road I am driving on - normally the same side as the other drivers

Geoff

I am the reverse, i have a RHD car and a LHD MH, not only that, the car is auto and the van is a manual, but never have any problems these days.

 

[Campingdood]

Like Lenny said, it’s definitely far easier to drive on the right side of the road in a RHD vehicle. I find the taking over the vehicles is so much easier. When I was in the US military and at 19 years old I drove a Humvee in Japan with a LHD vehicle on the left side and the humvee was too big for the Japanese roads and that was a challenge.

 

[benimardriver]

I know that plenty of you stay away from France because you don't fancy driving on the wrong side of the road. I've written an article about doing just that. You can discuss the article, or ask questions about it here

Driving your motorhome on the 'wrong side of the road' in France!

This can be a bit daunting at first. But, follow these tips and your driving in France will be a pleasure. Download our free head up display.

www.mfun.uk

Thanks Jim
I know a lot are expressing that they have no problem adjusting but they are probably those that are more experienced in driving in Europe over many years .
You have sent a timely reminder and given safety advice and confidence to a lot of newbies Thank you and you may just have saved someone’s holiday from being ruined

 

[Thornebt]

I'm not planning to go to France until September but have applied for my Critair sticker just to get it out of the way. I'm not apprehensive about driving on the right out there. It can't be as difficult as ordering the Critair sticker - working out what each field on the form required and then getting the registration document photo reduced in size faffing about with photo reducing websites etc. What a tedious job that was! Got there in the end though.

 

[The Wino]

I think one place it's difficult is unmarked car parks where you have a natural sense of which way to circulate which is the opposite of native drivers on the "wrong" side.

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[Boldly]

My dad used to holiday in Malta a lot. Once asked him which side they drive on. In the shade was his reply

 

[Simonjdcooper]

Our steering wheel seemed to have been fitted on the wrong side of our moho, so driving in france was easier than driving here.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Your advice please: Currently looking to buy my first MH and searching for a LHD as will be mostly in and around Europe - but of course there is a vastly greater choice of RHD machines.

As I expect to do over 90% of of driving on the right - am I correct in thinking I should keep to my plan of finding a LHD vehicle?

I have driven cars in Europe quite often and the only noticeable issue has been overtaking on non dual carriageway roads - however, I imagine when driving a motorhome that overtaking is not something that is high on the agenda.

A lot of people say they have no problem driving a RHD motorhome on the right, but given the choice would you say having a LHD in Europe is a worthwhile advantage?

I usually drive our RHD cars in France and have done so for some years without major issues. I've also hired LHD cars in France a number of times and generally had no issues other than tapping the drivers door with my left hand before the first dozen or so gear changes .. I've also driven our RHD MoHo over there and up through Belgium and Holland to Amsterdam, again with no issues and in some ways easier than the car as you can see more of the road ahead and junction layouts as you approach.
Last year I hired a pickup truck based on a Citroen Relay, so pretty much the same as my Boxer based MoHo, and found that in the wider vehicle I had to really concentrate hard on my position in the road in relation to both oncoming traffic and the kerb. I actually clouted a temporary sign in some road works with the n/s mirror.
If you do choose LHD, expect to have to a bit of re-learning before you can properly relax and enjoy it.

 

[Peter Clark]

I usually drive our RHD cars in France and have done so for some years without major issues. I've also hired LHD cars in France a number of times and generally had no issues other than tapping the drivers door with my left hand before the first dozen or so gear changes .. I've also driven our RHD MoHo over there and up through Belgium and Holland to Amsterdam, again with no issues and in some ways easier than the car as you can see more of the road ahead and junction layouts as you approach.
Last year I hired a pickup truck based on a Citroen Relay, so pretty much the same as my Boxer based MoHo, and found that in the wider vehicle I had to really concentrate hard on my position in the road in relation to both oncoming traffic and the kerb. I actually clouted a temporary sign in some road works with the n/s mirror.
If you do choose LHD, expect to have to a bit of re-learning before you can properly relax and enjoy it.

Thanks Trevor - probably the most commonly noted issues are learning to know your position on the road & limited visibility junctions when don't have someone riding shotgun.
Currently I am still prioritising LHD vehicles, but I am now comfortable that if the best buy turns out to be RHD - it won't be a big compromise.

 

[nicholsong]

Thanks Trevor - probably the most commonly noted issues are learning to know your position on the road & limited visibility junctions when don't have someone riding shotgun.
Currently I am still prioritising LHD vehicles, but I am now comfortable that if the best buy turns out to be RHD - it won't be a big compromise.

I find that the odd glance into both wing mirrors to check one's distance from both the centreline line and the kerb helps to confirm if one is central between them.

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[UptheGas]

Driven quite a bit in France over the last decade in a car on family holidays. Slightly apprehensive about driving the Motorhome for the first time over there this summer with the restricted views looking left at junctions etc

 

[Lenny HB]

Driven quite a bit in France over the last decade in a car on family holidays. Slightly apprehensive about driving the Motorhome for the first time over there this summer with the restricted views looking left at junctions etc

Fit a Fresnel lens on the passenger window, you need to fit them with the top to the front as they are designed for looking down behind a car.

Here is mine.

 

[UptheGas]

Fit a Fresnel lens on the passenger window, you need to fit them with the top to the front as they are designed for looking down behind a car.

Here is mine.

Thanks ! I will definitely have a look for one online

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks ! I will definitely have a look for one online

My one is one of the soft plastic ones you can get hard plastic ones that are thinner and supposed to be better if you have wind down windows.

Edit:
I see you have an A Class so either type will, they are great when driving solo.

 

[gus-lopez]

I usually drove left hand drive in the Uk so was used to alwyas being on the wrong side before I moved here.
the only time I find that I might heave a problem either here or in the Uk is when having missedd a turning & doing a rushed 3 point run it is easy to end up on the wrong side.
then again most spaniards dribe in the middle of the road & now you have to add in the fact that they are usually looking down at there phone if not texting .

I think one place it's difficult is unmarked car parks where you have a natural sense of which way to circulate which is the opposite of native drivers on the "wrong" side.

Here everyone drives the quickest way to where they wish to park & you have to look in all directions as one way means nothing.

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[Gillygrim]

Driven quite a bit in France over the last decade in a car on family holidays. Slightly apprehensive about driving the Motorhome for the first time over there this summer with the restricted views looking left at junctions etc

Having driven a car in France already, you'll probably find it easier in the motor home because of the higher seating position and larger windscreen. Also, don't worry about driving more slowly. In my experience, no one expects a Moho to be doing racetrack speeds!

 

[Andycap]

I am not so keen when I first get off the ferry if their is nothing in front of me but once I have been round a couple of roundabouts I am ok. I am always cautious when approaching junctions and touch wood never had a problem. I am the same as everyone else by the sound of it when returning to UK it takes a couple of days to get used to driving on our side of the road.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I find that the odd glance into both wing mirrors to check one's distance from both the centreline line and the kerb helps to confirm if one is central between them.

You can often 'square up' the junction by swinging a bit to the right then left to give better view to your left.

 

[benimardriver]

Thanks ! I will definitely have a look for one online

Have you found one ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks ! I will definitely have a look for one online

Have you found one ?

This is the same as the one I use.

Pardon our interruption...

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[nicholsong]

You can often 'square up' the junction by swinging a bit to the right then left to give better view to your left.

I was referring only to the comments above about knowing one's position on the road in relation to the kerb, nothing to do with junctions.

 

[UptheGas]

This is the same as the one I use.

Pardon our interruption...

Yep ….. ordered the one you suggested. Thanks very much

 

[Brian + Dawn]

I know that plenty of you stay away from France because you don't fancy driving on the wrong side of the road. I've written an article about doing just that. You can discuss the article, or ask questions about it here

Driving your motorhome on the 'wrong side of the road' in France!

This can be a bit daunting at first. But, follow these tips and your driving in France will be a pleasure. Download our free head up display.

www.mfun.uk

I always point out that driving on the wrong side is much easier when everyone else is doing it too.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I was referring only to the comments above about knowing one's position on the road in relation to the kerb, nothing to do with junctions.

You were ... and I replied to the wrong response. Shoulda been part of the one above yours.

 

[the1andonly]

My sister in law and husband have a different approach, one drives in UK tother over there then swap back when over here. He then doesnt drive in UK for a few days and gets used to being chaufered around. Works for them.

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[Wildbill]

Always driving on the wrong sid of the road in the UK I have left hand drive
Bill

 

[pelican]

When I was driving trucks in europe it always made me chuckle when everyone raced off the ferry at Calais onto the huge expanse of tarmac then swerved all over the place as they undecisively approached the first roundabout

That reminds me of being first off the ferry there once whilst leading the crocodile I took the wrong turning off a roundabout followed by at least 50 other vehicles.
Something that I would now dearly love to repeat

 

[G10]

Some people over think it and try comparing with the UK road layout, particularly at roundabouts

 

[BikerGraham]

driven in mainland Europe and other countries ouside of Europe, many time over the years. Cars, motorbikes and now the motorhome last year. Also hired cars over there. No real issue and its really easy to get used too, so I always advise people not to worry and take your time.

If in your own vehicle, standard UK, just remember, as the driver you should be next to the curb.

The motorbike was the easiest to doubt whether on the correct side of the road or not on a couple of occassions. But easly corrected. I found the motorhome very easy.

Stangely enough, I used to work for a company that had plants in Germany and was often over there. During many conversations it was mentioned that when they were over in the UK they never drove. Didn't fancy the other side of the road. Strange I thought. But when we were at Bonterra last month. We got talking to a couple of German ladies in the bar and the same thing came up from them. They were really interested in how I found driving on the other side of the road. They didnt fancy it.

 

[ashley 1340]

the most difficult time is first thing in the morning or the evening after a visit to restaurants etc, your brain goes into auto pilot if you are not thinking and you go onto your natural side of the road. We've had two fatal accidents in our area of France in recent years because of this..........stay safe

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