As a new international student in the UK, if you need to drive a car, but you do not know which traffic laws and regulations are applied. Don’t you be anxious even a little bit. All you need is some knowledge about the UK’s traffic rules for international students which we will provide you.
So let's look at some of the basics that you should know:
Where to drive?
Isn't this a silly question? Everyone knows where to drive, but here we are not talking about that. We are talking about which side to drive on, right or left.
It may be different for you depending on where is your home. A transition from right to left can be very confusing and difficult at first. One of the big problems people face during this transition period is using the wrong gears to make the switch from driving on one side of the road to the other. Muscle memory can make you take a lot of wrong steps, but over time, with practice, you can master the technique of driving to the left. Be sure to practice first and then drive; otherwise, it can lead to an accident.
Licence and Legalities
Now let us look at some of the legalities involved:
As an international student, you need to have a driving licence from your country, and also apply for a one year old foreign driving license. This will give you permission to drive in the UK for one year. In the end, if your intention is to remain longer, you should acquire a UK permit. To do that, you must go for a theory test, a practical test, and even secure an international license. IDP converts your driver’s license into several languages, though not mandatory. Nevertheless, it is necessary only for those who are from countries that do not employ the Roman alphabet.
Be aware of these laws
Signs on roads
You should be aware of all the road signs as a new driver in the UK. Well, most of the road signs are not so different from the rest of the world but can still confuse you, as some language differences can be there. You can learn all the road and traffic signs on the website of the driver and vehicle licencing agency. Even after learning everything, if, by chance, you do not recall the sign while driving, ask for help.
Minimum tread depth
It is illegal to drive a vehicle with a tread depth less than the limit. Well, in every country, the limit is different for the tread depth. So you must know that in the UK, the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. You may have the best brand of tyres in Peterborough; it won't matter if they do not meet the need for the least tread depth.
Parking Laws
In the UK, there can be a lot of parking laws that might not be in your home country. If you park your vehicle in no parking zones unintentionally, as a student, it may cost you a lot. So it is always better to study the laws. Some laws that are different in the UK than in other countries are:
Pay and display
There is this law that requires any driver purchasing the ticket to be displayed at the dashboard in order for the machine to identify that you bought the ticket and allowed to park.
Permit holders only
This law states that there are some parking spaces that are restricted.
Disabled parking
This law is different in the UK as compared to other countries. If there is any kind of disability, whether physical or mental, you are assured that you will get a disabled parking badge.
Single yellow line
The rule of parking on a single yellow line is different here. In the UK, you can park on a single yellow line during certain times of the day.
Double yellow line
In the UK, this rule is much stricter than in other countries. Here, you cannot park on a double yellow line at any time.
These were some of the laws; be sure to read every one of them.
Unpredictable weather
Well, the UK is known for its unpredictable weather. So you must know that some of the driving rules change during the seasons. Depending on the place you live, you must get updated on the new laws that the government states every season. Most of the laws come down to tyres, as with every season, the government states that tyres should also be changed according to the situation.
For example, if the snowfall is harsh, it may become mandatory to use winter tyres. If you live in a mild-weather place, it is recommended to use all-season tyres Cambridge, Bristol, Southampton, and Exeter are some places that have good climates and also have some of the best universities.
So this is all you need to know as an international student looking to drive on the roads of the UK.
