Preparing your road trip and wondering what driving in Scotland feels like?
Below is a video to show you what to expect and a complete guide to drive safely in the cities, in the countryside and in the highlands:
- Scottish road signs,
- Scotland driving rules,
- Road conditions, single track and more,
- Dangers to be aware of...
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Driving Rules in Scotland
Let's start with general rules about driving in Scotland you should be aware of:
Driving on the left in Scotland
- Driving is on the left-hand side in Scotland - most of the time it is easy. Just remember it when crossing people on a single lane road!
- There are many roundabouts, especially in the South. Don't worry, the curve is natural, and you won't go against the flow. Just drive towards the left. Give way to people from the right unless there are lights.
License to drive in Scotland
- If you have a valid license from your own county, you can drive in Scotland from up to 12 months since you last entered the UK. (any country US, Canada, Europe, Non-Europe...)
- The International Driving Permit is not required for Scotland.
- The law allows you to drive from 17 years old but most rental companies will have other requirements such as being 21 years old or 5 years of having a driving license... Check with each rental agency.
- You can use this official tool to check the requirements for your country to reassure you - License to drive in Scotland check tool
Speed Limits in Scotland - Driving laws
- Speed limits are indicated on circular signs with red border and a number
- Speed limits are in miles per hour
- National speed limits are 70mph on Motorways and Dual Carriageways for cars (60 for towing caravans) - 30mph in built-up areas (20mph around schools) - 60mph otherwise for cars (50mph for caravans)
Other Scotland Driving rules
- Driving age in Scotland is 17 years old - but rental car companies have other rules
- Alcohol limit - legal limit is 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood
- Use of cell phone - it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving
- Seatbelts are compulsory for driver and passengers
- All rules can be found on the Code and Road safety page
Toll roads in Scotland
- There are no toll roads or bridges in Scotland
Good to know
- Make sure you always have coins, as many carparks are not free
- Parking in Glasgow and Edinburgh is very expensive. Better to start or finish in one of those cities and not have a car while there
Is driving in Scotland hard? Video
Wondering how difficult driving in Scotland is?
Here is a short video to show you what it is like to drive in Scotland in various situations (cities, mountains, single-track...):
How to drive in Scotland - Difficulty
You can read a lot about people complaining about the difficulty of driving in Scotland. It is not as bad as they say, in my opinion.
It is just that people who find it quite easy, don't leave comments on the web about how easy they have found it...
The 2 main difficulties are:
- Driving on the left-hand side (if it is not the case in your home country) - personally I have never felt it hard. You just have to be focused when exiting a parking space
- The single lane roads that are very touristy - single lane roads in general are not that complex, there are crossing-places very frequently. The problems are the tourists that just keep going and then pile up at those crossing places blocking the whole thing. Always look ahead to see if there is enough space.
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Road Signs in Scotland
Scottish road signs - Speed
The Scotland Road signs are quite clear and easy to understand.
Limits and dangers are indicated on the road-side sign but also often indicated on the road itself.
Other traffic signs in Scotland
Road conditions - Is it safe to drive in Scotland
General information about the roads in Scotland
- Road status can be found on Traffic Scotland
- There are no toll roads in Scotland and no toll bridges.
- Road designations are: M for Motorway - A for Primary Road, B for Secondary Road
- Scotland has many single-track roads with passing places - see the next section for advice
Driving conditions - my opinion
Generally I thought driving in Scotland was easy. The only really difficult sections are around Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- In Glasgow there is a large road with many lanes and many exits, so take your time and focus
- In Edinburgh, the center is quite easy but all around there are those big roundabouts which are a bit crazy. Don't hesitate to do one more tour before exiting if unsafe
- Outside of the main cities the only strange thing I experienced was this double roundabout:
Dangers when driving in Scotland
There are 3 main dangers to be aware of when driving in Scotland:
- Driving on the left - if you are not used to it, be careful especially when exiting a parking
- Farm Animals - in the countryside, animals roam free. Sheep can jump in front of the vehicle, so stay vigilant.
- Wild animals - some area also have wild animals. I had deers twice on the road, but they are mostly out early or late
- Weather in another factor to consider - conditions can be good and all of a sudden it can start pouring rain. Adapt your driving to the weather conditions
- The Scenery - sometimes the road is so beautiful that you are distracted. Better to stop!
- Idiots... well they are everywhere. We were on a road where you can drive at 70mph, one lane in each direction and we had to stop because someone had decided to do a U turn and was no good at it!
Managing Fuel in Scotland
- Most petrol station provide unleaded petrol and diesel
- Price is by the liter
- In remote areas, especially in the North of Scotland, there are not many petrol stations. Think ahead and fill up your tank
Road through Glen Coe
Driving in Scotland Tips - Single Track Roads
Road through Glen Etive
The main thing to be aware about driving in Scotland is how to drive on single track roads.
- Take your time, often the scenery is beautiful so no need to speed
- Always look ahead for cars and stop in passing places that are to your left to allow traffic coming ahead. Or stop on the road next to a passing place that is on the right so that the other car can drive in it
- Also look ahead for passing places, you can see signs most of the time
- NEVER NEVER Tailgate. We go stuck once, because 4 cars were driving very close to each other. The passing places do not fit 4 cars!!! and then you are stuck because the width of the road does not allow crossing
- Do not park in passing places, you will block everyone!
- Give way to traffic coming uphill
Renting a car in Scotland
I have not rented a car in Scotland because we came by ferry from France with our French car.
However:
- There is nothing special about renting a car in Scotland - no specific insurance or rules
- All major international rental companies are available as well as smaller ones.
- As I said before, better to start renting after leaving Edinburgh or give back the car before visiting Edinburgh. No need to have a car in Edinburgh and pay high parking costs.
- You can compare prices on rentalcars.com
Plan your itinerary - best drives in Scotland
Be careful, it is really easy to plan too much driving on your Scotland itinerary.
Check out my list of the most scenic drives in Scotland.
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I’m travelling to Scotland 18 – 27th August stating in Glasgow and finishing in Edinburgh. I am looking for some family history along the way. Can you please give me information about the roads, accommodation, pubs of interest, places of interest along the way and anything I should be aware of or avoid whilst there.
Dear Vicki
You can find all my recommandations in my 80 articles about Scotland here : https://www.zigzagonearth.com/travel-scotland-guide/
I wish you wonderful travels
I will be there for tourist in April. Can you please tell me how to fill gas and pay bill at gas station? (In my country, gas station’s staff take care of us.)
Thank you so much.
You lift the nozzle you want, you wait until the price show 0 and then you place into your tank and pump. Then you pay inside.
Some gas stations may ask to pay first. It would be displayed.
Some might have a credit card pay at the pump system (especially at night).
Make sure you know which one you need for your car, although most rental companies now display it inside the tank’s door.
Thank you so much for your reply.
Beeza
Thank you for a good overview of driving in Scotland. We are Americans, never been in the UK, and fortunately will only be driving in Edinburgh and some of that countryside.
I’m glad it helped.
Have a great trip!
What is the best way to navigate the roadways in Scotland? I understand my cell phone probably will not have cell service in the countryside, so my cellphone GPS may be useless. I was going to buy a GPS before leaving the US, but the Scotland maps were another $100, too much!! So, my question, how best to get around Scotland without getting lost?
I do love using a GPS, I pre-enter all my stops by numbering them at home before leaving, and I just have to click on the next one once traveling.
You can always purchase a map on arrival.
But if you plan on staying on the main touristic roads, that should not be too difficult to just follow the signs.
You might consider purchasing the mini chip for Northern Europe. Got one for my Garmin and it was a lifesaver. Helped us on all the roads, even with poor signage.
I would like to reserve my parking space in Edinburgh. The parking is a couple blocks from the hotel. I attempted to reserve a spot & the parking is asking for license / tag number. Is this normal?
It is frequent for ferrys and parking to need the car plate number for booking.
Ask your hotel if they have another suggestion.
Have a great trip!
Your information re the age of a driver in Scotland is wrong. You can start driving lessons at the age of 17, so it is perfectly possible to pass your test at that age too. Please amend to “The law allows you to drive from 17 years old…”. I live in Scotland so I know what I’m talking about.
Corrected. Thanks
Why cant the sign for Aberdeen coming from the black isles to inverness not be put a couple of hundred yards from the aberdeen turnoff,instead of right at the turnoff?its amazing how many people miss the sign.its also dangerous.its a stupid idea.