Driving in the UKDriving
- We drive on the left hand side of the road and give way to the vehicles on our right
- Most car-hire companies will assume that you want a "Manual (Stick-shift) Gearbox" unless you specifically ask for an "Automatic"
- When hiring a car, you may be asked for a deposit and you will have to bring proof of identity and proof that you have an appropriate driving licence (valid in the UK)
- When hiring a car, state whether you want petrol or diesel. (The current availablity of electric hire cars is limited.) Diesel fuel costs slightly more than Petrol but the the increased miles per litre will usually reduce your total fuel cost.
- The only vehicles allowed to have blue flashing lights and/or sirens are our emergency services. Some doctors can use green flashing lights when responding to serious emergencies. Please give way to any vehicle with flashing blue or green lights.
- Many of our roadsigns are similar to the signage used in many mainland western European countries.
- Our speed limit signage always uses miles-per-hour (mph)
- 10 mph = 16 kph
- 20 mph = 32 kph
- 30 mph = 48 kph
- 40 mph = 64 kph
- 50 mph = 80 kph
- 60 mph = 96 kph
- 70 mph = 112 kph
- There is an official guide to driving in the UK, called "The Highway Code," available free on-line via www.Gov.uk or in printed format (at low cost) from many uk bookshops and newsagents. Anyone taking the UK Driving Examination must pass a theory test based on this book.
Speed Limits and Signage
Disclaimer - The law relating to UK speed limits is very complicated. This is only a beginners guide and has no legal significance- When a road has a speed limit sign, car drivers must adhere to the signed speed limit
- Some vehicles e.g. most vans and lorries have "class of vehicle" speed limits - they must not exceed their "class-of-vehicle" speed limit
- If two or more speed limits apply (e.g. class-of-vehicle and speed-limit-signage) all drivers must obey the lowest speed limit
- In England and Wales, the presence of a set of street lights on any unsigned road (except motorways) imposes a lower speed limit.
- The speed limit for unsigned roads with street lighting in Wales changed on 17 September 2023
- In England a 30mph speed limit usually applies to unsigned roads with street lights unless the road is a motorway
- In Wales (since 17 Sep 2023) a 20mph speed limit will usually apply to unsigned roads with street lights unless the road is a motorway
- Some Scottish speed limits are different to England and Wales.
Speed Limits in England
| Vehicle | Lights & not M.way | Single Carr. | Dual Carr. | M.way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car M.cycle | 30 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Towed Trailer | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Most vans | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Lorry <7½ ton | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Lorry >7½ ton | 30 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
Speed Limits in Wales
| Vehicle | Lights & not M.way | Single Carr. | Dual Carr. | M.way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car M.cycle | 20 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 70 mph |
| Towed Trailer | 20 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
| Most vans | 20 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Lorry <7½ ton | 20 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph |
| Lorry >7½ ton | 20 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 60 mph |
Petrol and Diesel
- Most Pembrokeshire fuel forecourts offer Unleaded Petrol E10 and Diesel. The E10 petrol contains 10% alcohol and may not be suitable for some classic or specialised vehicles.
- Electric Vehicle charge points are appearing in most of the major towns and some supermarkets.
- Many EV Charging points will not accept cash or bank-card. You have to download an App and register before you can buy the electricity. Take care when using apps to avoid risk of ongoing charges!
- Fuel stations are normally self-service only
- The price of Petrol and Diesel can vary between fuel outlets
- There are fuel stations next to many of the large supermarkets and on many major roads
- Fuel prices are normally displayed at the forecourt entrance. The price normally indicates the cost for 1 litre
- You must be at least age 16 to buy fuel
- There are restrictions on transporting fuel using loose containers (jerrycans etc.) inside a vehicle
- Paying for fuel
- Most garages require you to fill your vehicle, before paying the bill in the forecourt shop
- Some garages also have a "pay at the pump" service. These will only accept bank cards
- Pay at the pump instructions are likely to include
- Select type of fuel required (unleaded E10 petrol or diesel)
- Insert bank card and enter PIN
- Remove card when told to do so
- Fill your vehicle
- Replace the pump nozzle
- Pump display indicates cost of fuel being charged to your card
- Double check you have picked up your bank card
- Drive away
- There are some forecourts without a shop. You can only use Pay-at-the-pump
- Some fuel additives e.g. AdBlue can be purchased from forecourt shops and larger supermarkets
Legal in some Countries but NOT in the UK
- Some vehicles are allowed in some other countries but cannot be used on public roads/places in the UK.
- If your transport does not fall into one of the following "permitted" categories, you must check that you can legally use it here
- Normal road vehicle (car, bus, lorry, motorbike, lorry etc.)
- Disability scooter or wheelchair
- A form of transport without an engine or motor (bicycle, skateboard etc.)
- Peddle powered vehicle with approved, low-speed assistance motor
- Most other vehicles, especially those with a motor and no peddles are illegal on UK roads and public places
- Powered hoverboard devices are illegal on roads, pavements and public places
- Electric scooters are "normally" illegal on roads, pavements and public places
- There are some Government trials relating to e-scooter's but use outside of the trials is prohibited
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