Driving in the UK
Driving
- 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. 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.
- There are no road or bridge tolls in Pembrokeshire. (The last Pembrokeshire toll road "Cleddau Bridge" became free in 2019.)
- 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. The Milford Haven charging points are in Tesco car park and Chrles Street (near Torch Theatre.)
- 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!
- Pembrokeshire fuel stations are normally self-service
- The price of Petrol and Diesel can vary between fuel outlets
- There are fuel stations next to the largest Pembrokeshire supermarkets and in the larger towns
- Due to the rural nature of Pembrokeshire, it is advisable to keep plenty of fuel in your tank
- 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
DigitalDan.co.uk