16 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN
Driving in Great Britain
It’s easy to travel the length and breadth of the country on Great
Britain’s major roads. Although many of these are scenic, running
through beautiful countryside, the most memorable views are to
be found off the beaten track. Driving along single-track roads in
the Scottish Highlands, down the winding lanes of rural England
and across the mountains of Wales, reveals many more facets of
this diverse country. To make the most of your trip, it’s best to learn
the basics of driving in Great Britain before setting off.Insurance and Breakdown
Cover
Third-party motor insurance is
compulsory in Great Britain, with a
minimum cover level of £1,000,000. If
you bring your own car to Britain, you
must have an insurance certificate that
is valid in this country. You do not
need a green card if you are an EU
national, but you should check with
your insurer before travelling to make
sure you are covered on the trip. Most
companies give you automatic
coverage in EU countries for up to 90
days. Citizens of other countries will
need green card insurance. If your
policy has breakdown cover, check if it
applies abroad. If not, it is worth
purchasing additional breakdown and
accident cover. Motoring organizations
such as the AA and RAC (see p18) may
also provide assistance.areas, may offer some of the most
rewarding and enjoyable driving.
There is currently only one toll road
in Britain, the M6 Bypass at
Birmingham. Tolls are charged at
several river crossings, including the
Dartford Tunnel, Humber Bridge and
the Severn Suspension Bridge. If you
have to drive into central London, you
will have to pay the Congestion
Charge (currently £8 per day).
Information on how to pay is posted
on the Transport for London website.
Similar schemes are being considered
in other cities and on busy roadways
to help reduce the volume of traffic.Above Typical B-road sign, pointing to villages
and indicating the distancephotograph, do carry your passport
or other form of official photo ID. If
you are bringing your own vehicle, or
caravan or motorcycle, bring the
vehicle registration. If it is not
registered in your name, bring a letter
of authorization from the owner.
Great Britain does not yet require
that you carry the visibility vests that
are compulsory in many EU countries,
though this may soon be extended
throughout the EU. Although it’s not
compulsory to carry a first aid kit, it is a
good idea. A warning triangle, torch
(flashlight) and petrol container are
also highly recommended.What to Take
In order to drive in Great Britain, you
must have a valid driving licence
issued in your home country, or an
International Driving Permit. Drivers
whose documents are not in English
should bring an official translation
from their embassy or internationally
recognised motoring association. If
your licence does not have aRoad Systems
Main roads in Great Britain are
classified in three categories.
Motorways have the prefix “M”. In
theory they are the fastest way of
driving long distances, but traffic
jams are common around large cities
such as London and Birmingham
and you may experience long delays.
Primary roads are indicated by the
prefix “A” and may be either single- or
dual-carriageway. “B” roads, or
secondary roads, are usually single-
carriageway (one lane in each
direction). These, along with the
smaller, unclassified roads in ruralSpeed Limits and Fines
Speed limits are given in miles per
hour throughout the country. Unless
otherwise posted, the speed limits are
70 mph (112 kph) on motorways and
dual carriageways, 60 mph (96 kph)
on single carriageways, and 30 mph
(48 kph) in towns and built-up areas.
Police cannot make on-the-spot
fines for speeding violations in Great
Britain. Speed cameras, however, are
widely used; fines are automatic and
tickets are sent to the address of the
vehicle’s registration. You won’t escape
the penalty by driving a rental car. The
car hire company will bill you for the