Driving in Scotland - which side of the road do we drive?

1️⃣ Do I Need to Rent a Car to Travel Around Scotland? 🚗

You can reach Scotland’s major cities — such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness — without a car. However, if you want to explore more remote areas or do a lot of hiking, I would highly recommend that you hire one.

Scottish roads are generally narrower and smaller than those in North America, so it’s best to rent a smaller car for easier navigation and parking.

2️⃣ Driving on the Left

Scotland, like the rest of the U.K., drives on the left-hand side of the road, and that means the driver's seat will also be on the left-hand side of the car. This might take a little getting used to if you are used to sitting on the right-hand side as you drive.

It's really important to keep driving on the left front of mind, as forgetting this can be dangerous for both you and local residents. Unfortunately, recently, there have been serious accidents involving visitors to Scotland driving on the wrong side of the road, and according to the BBC, crashes caused by motorists driving on the right-hand side are becoming more common (they increased by 46% in 2024).

Tips to Help You Remember to Drive on the Left:

👀 Visual cues: Place a Post-it note or small reminder somewhere visible inside the car.

📣 Mantras: Repeat a simple phrase such as “Drive on the left” before setting off and when approaching junctions or roundabouts.

🧠 Driver in the middle: Remember that the driver should always be positioned closest to the centre line of the road. Keep this in mind when turning or joining traffic.

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3️⃣ Single track roads & passing places

In rural or remote parts of Scotland, you’ll often find single-track roads. These roads allow traffic in both directions but are not wide enough for two vehicles to pass at the same time.

When driving these roads

1. Make sure you are confident in manoeuvring your vehicle - especially if it is a larger vehicle like a caravan.

2. Slow down around bends and be aware of blind spots where you can't see oncoming traffic.

3. Use passing places correctly. If another vehicle approaches, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right for the other vehicle to use. Never bring your vehicle to the right-hand side of the road to use a passing place.

4. Be prepared to reverse to the nearest passing place if necessary, and keep track of where they are as you drive.

5. Never park in a passing place! They are designed solely to allow vehicles to pass each other safely.

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4️⃣ Watch Out for Sheep and Other Livestock 🐑

In rural and highland areas, sheep and other animals often roam freely across the road. Always stay alert and be prepared to stop quickly if needed.

5️⃣ Scotland’s Alcohol Limit 🍺🚫

Scotland has a lower drink-driving limit than the rest of the U.K., so it’s safest not to drink any alcohol before driving.

The legal limit in Scotland is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, for many people, this can be less than one standard drink.

If you are caught driving under the influence, you could face a 12-month driving ban, up to six months in prison, and risk causing serious harm to yourself or others. It’s really not worth the risk!

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6️⃣ Other Things to Be Aware Of ⚠️

Before you start driving in Scotland, it’s a good idea to:

• Familiarise yourself with U.K. road signs.

• Review how to navigate roundabouts, as these are much more common in the U.K. than in North America.

Road Signs

Roundabouts