I was born and raised in Ireland, and only drove a stick shift (manual) car there. I had never driven an automatic car until I moved to the US aged 32. When I visit Ireland now, I drive my sister’s stick shift.
The first time I used her car was just after I landed in Ireland from the US. Ruth left her car at the airport for me. I knew I was tired and needed to pay attention to driving on the correct side of the road. Then I got into the car and realized it was manual transmission also! Luckily, driving a manual is like riding a bike - the skills return immediately.
Yes - something we have neglected to ask in the past to our disadvantage! We bought a car in NZ and it ended up with sand and dog hair and a distinct doggy aroma because we were expected to take the dogs on walks in parks and on beaches, none of which were within walking distance to the sits. We will be making sure we ask a few more questions re car use before any future sits!
Hello. We live in San Diego, CA and have GEICO auto insurance. If the sitter needs/wants a car there is one available and we’ve never had a problem. The car allows the sitter to take our large dogs with them to restaurants, breweries and on outings to the beach.
There isn’t a chance in the world I’d try driving on the left after a lifetime of driving on the right. And shifting with my left hand? I can’t even brush my teeth with my left. NO ONE benefits if I were to drive in the UK. I’ve always wondered how long it takes for someone to adjust to the switch?
My husband adjusts within a day or so usually. As navigator, I do lots of out loud “stay in the left lane”, look to the left when making a RH turn etc when we first start.
That being said, personally, I would never drive in the UK. I haven’t driven a manual transmission in traffic ever. I might be willing to drive an automatic if pressed.
I live in Canada but drive in the UK and Ireland. It was nerve wracking at first but now it just takes me a couple of days to get used to. It’s fine once you get the hang of it, but I do have a habit of getting in the wrong side of the truck when I get back to Canada!
I had a very interesting experience, when I was offered to try to drive in the UK for the first time: my brain simply froze, and I couldn’t even figure out how to turn the car on , let alone drive.
After I relocated to the UK, I had to pass the UK driving test to get a local license after 12 months. I was feeling confident after a couple of weeks driving with the instructor. My driving style also adjusted in due course. Although I do occasionally catch myself coasting, after 16 years of driving in the UK.
I wander now how long it would take me to adjust back in Europe.
Oh, I would also be the navigator that offers up “oh my god”, “watch out” and hissing sounds. My husband doesn’t tend to appreciate that though. As for driving a stick shift, only if no one else could AND we had to go to the hospital urgently.
I’m going to have fun in a few weeks as I drive on the other side of the road, in a larger city…Just have to remember which side of the car to go to when I want to drive .
It doesn’t take long at all. When I moved to the US, after driving in Ireland, adjusting to driving on the right took only a few days. It took longer to adjust to getting into the car on the other side!
I drive an automatic car in the US, but I drive a manual/stick shift in Ireland every 6-12 months. Even when I drove the manual for the first time in years, the skills came back very quickly.
Hi
We have had sitters from the US in the past and have been able to add them onto our car insurance. Now it seems it’s not possible to add US licence holders.
I’ve googled it and it appears to be a common issue. Has anyone any advice?
I think it might depend on your insurance company and the age of the driver. I don’t think they will insure drivers who are 70 or older. I have a US license and was recently insured in the UK to drive their car.
Ok thanks
I’ve found a company that will do short term insurance for US licence holders so will phone them tomorrow. It’s frustrating as pre covid we easily insured a US licence holder who was in his 70 s on our current policy.
@Heatherr - yes - in 2019 I had 2 UK HOs add me to their auto insurance. Multiple sits starting in 2022 folks who offered to add me found they were unable to add me. I did become 70 in 2021 but the folks I sat for said it was just a blanket change - that they had found a company that would insure me but the price was outrageous.
Instead, we agreed to share the cost of a rental. That worked for me because I also used the rental to get to the sits instead of a train. But I also really shopped for good rental rates. DM me if you want tips on that.
That’s a plan! Thank you. I’ll have the call with the short term insurers tomorrow and if it’s not an option I may take you up on your rental advice!
Heather
, let alone drive.
