How to Transition from Left Hand Drive to right Hand Drive Vehicles
Drivers who are taught to drive in countries where left hand drive is normal may find that the transition to right hand drive vehicles is difficult at first. It seems unnatural to be riding in what used to be the passenger side of the car. However, with practice, it does become second nature. The difficulties at first encountered will the the position of the controls, the unfamiliarity of using the left hand for gear changes, and the outlook from the car, and how this affects visibility. Other common difficulties include knowing the width of the car, since a driver will be more accustomed to looking at this from another angle.
Lighting
It's vital if driving a right hand drive vehicle on the right hand side of the road to have the headlights checked for confomity with the law of the appropriate country. These will otherwise prove to be a hazard as the direction in which they shine will not conform to that country's road safety regulations. There are stickers which can be bought to deflect the light into the right position, though read instructions carefully fo exact placement.
Site the mirrors correctly
The first thing to look for is visibility. Since the side of the driver is opposite to that which is usual, siting the mirrors is vital. The wing mirrors are particularly useful because they help the driver to anticipate width, and also give great visibility of vehicles overtaking. Since the driver will be accustomed to being on the right hand side of the vehicle, they may also be accustomed to driving on the other side of the road. It's a strange combination of changes, switching driving sides and the side of the road being driven on. The mirror placement is therefore vital.
The mirror in the vehicle above the windshield should also be adjusted and having an anti glare positional mirror is ideal, as this stops the driver being blinded by a vehicle driving behind it at night, adding a further distraction to the driving process.
Seating position
It's vital when changing sides for driving from left hand to right hand drive to ensure that the seating position is perfect. Test for comfort, to ensure that this does not distract the driver, and adjust the back rest to give the best support. Moving the seat forward or back to ensure that pedals are easy to access is vital. Often those users who change from left hand drive to right hand drive expect the pedal positions to be reversed. This is not the case.
Trying the pedals
It's important to try the pedals and to get accustomed to using them. They are positioned the same way as on the opposite side of the car, though the disorientation is caused by where the driver is seated.
Getting used to the steering wheel controls.
It's a little strange that everything appears to use the opposite hands. Before setting off, being accustomed to the lighting positions, windshield wiper positions, and knowing where the horn is located is extremely important. The less left to chance, the better. Get familiar with the function of the controls which are sited on the steering wheel column.
Changing gears
For a little while after the transition, the natural reflex to change gears with the right hand will come into play. Practice gear change before even setting off. Make sure that the position of the gear stick is within comfortable reach, and co-ordinate pedal movement with gear stick changes to ensure that this has been practiced before actually driving on the road.
Taking the car for a test run
Try and choose a road which is not busy. It will take time to transition into thinking about driving on the other side of the car and on an unfamiliar side of the road, and the danger is that at junctions, the approach will be confusing. If driving on the right hand side of the road in a right hand drive vehicle, this presents various complications. The driver may feel disorientated and look the wrong way for oncoming traffic. They may also be tempted to pull out in the wrong direction. Be aware of junctions as being a potential hazard, especially in rural areas where there is little traffic, as mistakes are easily made.
When going to overtake another vehicle, the visibility is limited by the driver being on the edge of the road, rather than next to the center white line. This makes looking ahead very difficult. Be aware that overtaking will cause restrictions in what can be seen and that accidents can happen because of pulling out too far in order to see oncoming traffic.
Another example of the complexity is that the left hand mirror becomes essential more-so than the left hand one during the course of driving a right hand drive vehicle on the right hand side of the road. Often drivers who switch sides forget about adjusting that mirror though that may save their lives. Using it is vital to see what is happening on the road behind the vehicle.
Mirror Signal Maneuver
These three words, used when people learn to drive initially, come into play more when driving a car which is right hand drive, particularly if being driven on the right. This helps to orientate the driver to the new position of driving, and to make them aware of what is happening behind the vehicle. The danger is not looking in the opposing side mirror through habit.
Judging the width of road
Judging how the car is placed in the road can be difficult, especially when driving a right hand drive car on the right hand side. The one advantage is that it allows the driver to easily see how far they can pull in to the side of the road without risk, though often new drivers to right hand side vehicles misjudge the width of the road because they are looking to the right instead of the left. Leave plenty of space between the vehicle and the car in front, so that mistakes in judgment can be rectified easily. Keep an eye on road markings in front of the car, as this helps to keep the car in the correct lane.
Once the new drive position becomes more familiar, all those doubts disappear as well and driving becomes automatic, just as it did when learning in a traditional left hand drive vehicle. It is good to acquire good habits from the very outset, which help to hone the driving skills and adapt them to the new position of driving. Taking these steps may save a life.
