'I am too afraid to drive in France - it feels like the wrong side of the road'
Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on acclimatising to French roads and motorways
Familiarising yourself with the French highway code can help you overcome apprehension
Dmytrenko Vlad/Shutterstock
Dear Cynth,
We visit our second home in Charente approximately three times a year.
It is a long drive from the port, and my partner always does it because I am so anxious about driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Any tips for growing my confidence behind the wheel so I can give my partner a break? I drive all the time in the UK.
BR
I am extremely familiar with your issue. It is only now, 48 years after I passed my UK driving test, that I am finally fully confident enough to drive on the right! You are not alone.
It may seem silly to some, but it is a real fear – indeed for me it was a phobia. The only way I could crack it was to take it very gradually over a long period of time.
You do not say if your car is a right-hand or left-hand drive. I assume it is the former.
Driving on French motorways
Get advice from Cynth
Do you have a problem associated with living in France that is causing upset or worry?
Our advice column can help. Write to: askcynth@connexionfrance.com.
Any letters selected for publication will be anonymised. Cynthia will endeavour to reply to all emails.
I suggest you start by driving on the French motorway where it is easy to keep going in a more or less straight line, rather than having to cope with winding country roads.
Before you set off, familiarise yourself with the French highway code.
There are certain manoeuvres that are harder when you are used to driving on the left, for example roundabouts and the priorité à droite rule.
If you study the code, you will feel more confident when you do set off.
Take it slowly and ask your partner to be patient with you.
If they make you more nervous, ask them nicely to observe but only intervene in case of an impending accident.
If they are unable to do this, then perhaps go for short drives on your own while you build up confidence.
Practise during the day at first, as it may feel harder to get the hang of it at night.
If you are petrified, try driving for 15 minutes at a time at first. Your partner will no doubt appreciate that you are making an effort.
You may wish to take some driving lessons in France. Contact the European Association of Driving Schools and ask to be referred to a school in your locality.
Good luck, I am sure that before long you will be feeling much more empowered and confident in your ability to drive “on the wrong side of the road” just as I have. Let me know how you get on!
