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Driving On The Left Takes Guts And New Skills
After careful consideration, there’s only one place we tried this
Over the years, we’ve visited several places that drive on the left side of the road. These include Bermuda, Ireland, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Since my husband and I are from the United States, we driving on the left to be odd. I mean we’re just not used to it. Thus, until recently, we stayed away from driving in countries that drive vehicles on the opposite side of the road from what we’re used to.
Bermuda
Our first exposure to left-sided driving was on our honeymoon, in Bermuda. It was 1987. At that time, tourists could not rent cars on the island.
One got around by taxi and ferry, which we could not afford, or the pink public buses that regularly traversed the island.
We did, however, rent a scooter, which was allowed. We rode on one bike, across the island, wearing helmets and paying close attention to signs. The experience did not want us to do it more than once.
Like many island countries, Bermuda is congested and it is even more so now. We’ve never driven on the island again, despite returning in 2007 and 2017. There are narrow roads that twist and turn, all bordered closely by lava and coral rock that does not allow for a shoulder.
Locals zip around like nobody’s business and it all takes place on the left side of the road if you are the driver.
No thanks!
Ireland drives on the left
Last year, we went to Ireland for two weeks. We were part of a tour group that hiked from Galway to Dublin for a week during the middle of our trip. Our guide, native to Ireland, but well-traveled, drove nine of us in a conversion van for seven days.
