California

I am thinking about going to the UK for an extended time. If i do this, I don't want to learn how to drive right hand steering. Is there a law there that my car has to be driver-right side?

In other words, you guys all know what I want -- a CLC. (And no, I'm not considering going there just for THAT!) But if I bought a CLC in Germany, what kind of duty/taxes/bureaucratic crap might I face and could i register the car in England?

Kind of scared thinking about all those right handed roads...

moosejaw

No lots of ppl in England do that, they head over to the Netherlands to get a what is called a "Left Hooker" You can save tons, the drawback is when you come to sell it, you will have to take the hit. Corvettes are sold that way over there. You Shouldnt have any problem.

I can tell you that my dad's cars in Spain are all LHD bc he was tired of them getting stolen. After the second time in one year the cops found his X5 in a ferry port on it's way to Africa. He said screw this I 'll buy my car in england and bring it here.

Try buying the CLC in the Netherlands which is cheaper and closer to Bloody England anyways.

UK-C200

So you can drive a LHD car in the UK, and can get it registered, but it's a right pain in the **** to try and do it yourself. There are tons of specialist companies that can do it for you if you decide to go that route. Do keep in mind your resale value in the UK is going to take a huge hit - as mentioned before.

You also need special insurance, and probably lots of other things I can't remember. I was going to bring my C from France to the UK, and ended up decided to sell it in France, and buy another when I got here. I suspect you are going to end up regretting it. It's not that hard to go from LHD to RHD - I do it all the time!

Glyn M Ruck

I've spent half my life switching between RHD & LHD. It's really very easy & a lot safer. I strongly recommend it. Overtaking etc. is awful when driving, for instance, a LHD in Britain with it's congested roads and large trucks - you can't see where you are going!

California

Yeah, after thinking about it -- and thank you guys for the posts -- if I go that route I am definitely going to just stick to RHD. I guess is is safer when on UK roads. But I won't get a manual because that would be just too much adjusting, though I'd like one!

Glyn M Ruck

Good decision - you won't regret it - after a couple of weeks you will forget it was even an issue - it becomes second nature very quickly. Think of it this way - I don't know whether you wear spectacles but the first time you put on a pair of Multifocals you think "I will never get used to this"! One week later you have forgotten about it - the human brain is truly amazing.

If you specify a 7G-TRONIC auto box you will have a cog for every condition & you can play manually if you choose to do so. Not the same as stick shift, I know, but a good compromise

UK-C200

Well, remember that in the UK you have two "classes" of basic drivers license, and the "normal" one requires that you pass in a manual. It does take some getting used to - I've bashed my knuckles on the door a couple of times trying to shift - but it seriously becomes second nature after you do it a couple of times.

In any event, I think you are making the right call to get a RHD if you are in the UK. I *really* hope that they move the e-brake in the CLC from the "US on the floor" style to the EU "in the middle" style. They do you for points on your driving test if you don't use it properly, and it's a right pain in the **** having to reach down to release it.

Couple of things to keep in mind - your insurance and road tax is based on engine size, gas is currently $9 a gallon, and parking (in London) is a premium. You also pay more if you don't have dedicated parking on your insurance. Also, shop around on your insurance - some companies will accept your US driving record for a "no claims bonus", others' will not (usually the really low rate ones..) MB writes their own insurance, and were willing to take my French record into account to get no claims here.

moosejaw

I was driving in Australia for about a month and I got used to it within five minutes. A nice bonus was my rental was a 8 cylinder Ford Falcon which I drove from Perth to Adelaide across the country.

Here's a pic of a close encounter on Melbourne'
s Great Ocean Road

Glyn M Ruck

Please listen to UK-C200 for local knowledge. My international job has seen me drive in a large number of countries but always on one of my two international driving permits or my South African drivers license where it is recognised.

alpinweiss

You should be able to adapt to a RHD car fairly fast. The only real difference is you must shift with your left hand; and most cars are manual transmission (unless you pay the up-charge for an automatic). Fortunately, the pedals, and most other controls are similar to LHD cars.

Driving on the left side of the road is a bigger challenge. How to make a right turn? How to go around a traffic circle? How to enter and exit the motorway (freeway)? How to pass? All of these are backwards from what you are accustomed. Oh, and don't forget the traffic cameras.

You will notice signs placed on some major roadways that say "Drive left, pass right". This may be in response to the opening of the Channel Tunnel from France.

Glyn M Ruck

The "Drive left, Pass right" for Britain & it's old colonies (& old areas of influence like Thailand) and it's reverse in continental Europe, Francophone Africa, Australasia & Latin America is normal freeway demarcation to stop people from travelling in the fast lane of a multi-lane highway. The fast lane is supposed to be an overtaking lane.

The Channel Tunnel actually works well. If you want to see a real spaghetti junction you must see the Hong Kong border with Mainland China to move people from driving on the LHS of the road to the RHS of the road!

UK-C200

Don't know if you watch Top Gear Glyn, but I love Clarksons' "Undertakers must DIE!" quote.

I agree on the Chunnel - get on, park car, get off, drive car - it works very well indeed. Visited Hong Kong a couple of times, but never tried to drive - looked a bit insane! I'd never see bamboo scaffolding before either - simply crazy!

alpinweiss

Sorry, my comment was not intended to be a criticism of the Chunnel. But I read that the number of cars coming from mainland Europe had really increased as a result of the train, and British officials were worried about lane confusion.

Slow drivers in the fast lane? I thought we had a monopoly on that here in the US. It is especially great when they are driving large motorhomes pulling cars, trailers, boats, etc. Average age of driver: 80. Perhaps they should be required to display a special sign on the vehicle; "Road Train" comes to mind.

Glyn M Ruck

Hah! A kindred spirit - I watch Top Gear & enjoy Clarkson period! Was involved in opening up a new business in China over many years after our multinational oilco was nationalised in the Mao era. Hong Kong is not too bad to drive in - MTR, taxis & Star Ferrys are easier. I'm always amazed at the population of Aston's, Ferrari's, Porche's etc and nowhere to use them apart from the highway to Chek Lap Kok airport & the police watch that like a hawk.

Bamboo scaffolding !!!!! The whole of China builds skyscrapers with bamboo & twine scaffolding - I suppose we can't knock it - strong, renewable and never seems to fall down - just strange to see this glass & ceramic monster with bamboo & green netting all over it

Glyn M Ruck

No criticism taken !!!