Today’s article is intended to talk about the rules and regulations for Malaysian driver if they are planning to drive in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Below is a list of 14 things they are expected to follow:

1) Drive on the left side of the road.

Malaysian drivers should have no problem at all with this. Malaysia, being a former colony of England, and ruled by the British until 1957, adopts the British form of driving. Therefore, drive like you usually do in Malaysia.

2) Roundabout, giving way to traffic from the right.

At roundabouts, give way to traffic coming from the right.

At traffic junctions, the right has the “right of way”, so they say. I assume there will be no problem at all here.

3) No drinking of alcoholic drinks allowed.

As in Malaysia, drivers are not allowed to consume alcohol drinks and drive. Malaysians are fully aware of the consequences of drinking and driving.

Again, no problem with regard to this requirement. It’s after all, a continuation of what Malaysians have been doing all along.

4) Speed limits required.

When driving in the U.K., there are certain speed limits one has to observe. In Malaysia, speed limits followed are:

i) School vicinity – 30km/h.

ii) Town limit – 50 km/h.

iii) Between towns – 60 km/h.

iv) Highways/ expressways – 90 km/h.

Keeping to roughly the same speed, as you normally do in Malaysia should keep you well within the laws of the United Kingdom.

5) Reporting all accidents within 24 hours.

Like they do in Malaysia, drivers have to lodge a police report within 24 hours of an accident. Failing to do so is an offense in the U.K. As they say, “Do like the Romans do when you’re in Rome”. Adopt the maxim and you should have no problem at all.

6) Overtaking in the right hand side.

Remember, as drivers, overtake only on the right. Do not overtake on the left because it is dangerous. Overtaking on the left, in case you are not aware is permitted only in extreme and necessary cases.

And only when the traffic in front of you is attempting to turn to the right. Only then can a driver overtake on the left.

7) No usage of mobile phones allowed.

While driving in the U.K., absolutely no usage of hand phones are allowed. You are advised to use hands free equipment. It’s supposed to be safer.

Malaysian, I gather will have no problem at all with this ruling. We, in fact have been practicing this all this while.

8) The permissible age of driving is 17 years for small vehicles and 21 years for large vehicles.

This I’m sure is not a problem as far as Malaysian drivers are concerned. For years, Malaysians have been drummed into their ears that no one is permitted to drive unless they are of age.

9) Time limit for driving in the U.K.

The period allowed for a Malaysian driver who wish to drive in the U.K., according to the Department of Vehicles Licensing Authorities (D.V.L.A.) of Swansea is 12 months.

After expiry of this period, Malaysian drivers should get a British provisional license out, follow all pertinent regulations and eventually secure a full British driving license.

10) Conversion to full British license.

Being a resident of the U.K., a Malaysian with a driving license cannot convert his license into a British one. Why is this so, you might be tempted to ask?

Well, the story goes like this.

Malaysia it seems has a high rate of accidents. The 3rd highest in the world behind China and India. The British authorities, it appears are rather reluctant to accept Malaysian licenses for conversion.

But as I understand, certain designated countries like Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan, even Hong Kong can easily convert their domestic licenses into full British licenses.

Just too bad for Malaysians. Well, as they say, “you can’t win them all, can you?” Anyway, as a Malaysian, you are entitled to attempt getting a full British licenses on your own although it is not an easy task.

11) Inform the authorities if you’re suffering from any chronic illness or diseases.

As a driver, if you are suffering from any chronic illness or disease, the onus is on you as a responsible driver to inform the authorities about it.

12) 3rd party insurance policy.

As in Malaysia, a driver has to be covered by at least 3rd party insurance. That’s the law in the United Kingdom. So, should you intend to rent a car, see to it that you get the necessary required motor insurance unless you fancy being behind bars.

13) Maximum age limit for drivers is 70 years old.

If you are 70 years and below, you will have no problem at all driving in the U.K. After this age, special permission are required from the British driving license board.

In Malaysia, the Road Transport Department appears a bit laxed on this requirement. In Malaysia, you can continue to drive as long as you are still fit and capable.

But in England, remember, it is different altogether. So, the moment you reach the golden age of 70, the best advice you can be given by me is stop driving and take the underground train.

14) Bringing in foreign vehicles into U.K.

In case you are unaware, foreign vehicles, say from France or Germany can be brought into U.K. for a period of 6 months or 12 months. However, there are certain rules and regulations which you must abide with. Amongst them are:

i) All taxes (including excise duty) must be paid in its country of origin.

ii) Registered vehicles in the U.K. should display the vehicle excise license.

iii) All vehicles over 3 years old should be submitted to the Road Transport Authority for an examination or test.

I have done an extensive article for all your driving requirements in the U.K. Especially, for my fellow Malaysians who intend to drive in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible in any article to touch upon every aspect you may face in a foreign country. For that, I do apologies.

However, if you should face any problems not covered by this article, you are advised to contact the D.V.L.A. at Swansea, England, for their assistance.

Happy and safe driving to all drivers, especially Malaysian origins in the United Kingdom!

Basically, there are 3 types of visitors who land up in the United Kingdom (U.K.). They are:

i) Those who come to U.K. on social visit staying on for a short period of time only.

ii) Students who arrive in the U.K. to attend some courses in universities or colleges.

iii) Those who visit U.K. for a longer period of time, say a year or so.

All 3 categories of Malaysian drivers at times require to drive in the U.K.

This is because transport will be a major problem for them. To be able to drive oneself around, will not only be cheaper and less hassle is involved, it is more convenient in the long run.

As a reminder, Malaysians who wish to drive in the U.K. should ensure their licenses are:

i) Valid, meaning not expired.

ii) Have their licenses translated into English. As our Malaysian licenses are normally in Bahasa Malaysia, a translated license would assist the British authorities and the police tremendously.

iii) See to it that you are covered with a minimum 3rd party insurance.

As mentioned earlier on, those going over to the United Kingdom as students or on social visits can continue using their Malaysian driving licenses.

However, those categories of people, assuming that a person has been posted in the U.K. to work will obviously be there for a longer period of time. In this case, a Malaysian would therefore ideally be advised to obtain an International Driving License (I.D.L.) issued normally by the Road Transport Department in Kuala Lumpur.

In normal circumstances, a Malaysian driver arriving in the U.K. can drive with his Malaysian license without much problems. The police and transport authorities will pose no problems.

According to the Department of Vehicle Licensing Authorities (D.V.L.A.) Swansea, United Kingdom advised a foreign visitor can drive for a period of 12 months.

Malaysians who stay in U.K. longer than the stipulated period of time mentioned above are advised to then attempt to secure a full British license. Obviously, to do this, one has first to attempt getting a provisional or learner’s license.

How Do You Go About Instructing A New Driver With No Experience Whatsoever How To Drive?

To teach a young 17 year old student with no experience whatsoever how to drive is indeed a very formidable task to perform. It is like, expecting the driving instructor to do what David Copperfield does, make the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur disappear.

When I think about the above, which I have to do, it sometimes makes me wonder in amazement, how for over forty years, I was able to carry out this duty to my students.

Today, I will attempt to lay out the best manner to impart this knowledge to someone who wishes to take up driving. Before we continue further, remember that since 1st January 1970, the law stipulates, instructing someone who does not know how to drive is against the law and therefore illegal. You can easily be arrested by the police and the J.P.J. authorities.

Who then has the authority to teach new students in the art of driving?

The answer to this is the driving school or institutes instructor, and no one else.

The instructor, you should remember possesses the certificate to teach. This certificate, in the driving school arena is known as the S.M.2 certificate.

In spite of knowing the above, you may still wish, to say, teach your son or daughter how to drive. Well then, here goes regarding how best to impart the art of driving to your children.

The methods I would suggest to you are:

1) The 10 and 2 position to hold the steering.

Explain to the new driver, the hands are to be placed ideally at 10 and 2 position. The steering, advise the student, should be held firmly and not gripped too tightly.

Remember, in times of emergency, an instructor will have to swerve the steering to avoid collision. A student gripping on to the steering tightly, will prevent the instructor from reacting fast enough when dangerous situations occur.

Therefore, a good instructor should test the steering grip of the student by pushing the steering left to right, ensuring that it can rotate fairly easily.

You will be surprised how a 5 foot girl, when in fear, will hold on to the steering. And believe me, her strength is way much stronger for an adult instructor to handle.

2) Explain how to switch on the ignition key.

Many do not know how to switch on or start an engine. Therefore, the first thing a new student has to be taught is how to start a vehicle. Explain to the student, one has to turn the ignition switch 3 times to the right before a car can start.

Practice this 2 or 3 times. Do it a few times till you are satisfied that your student can actually start a car.

Why is this important?

Because if the car should stall suddenly, you as an instructor will not be able to re-start the car for her. With traffic following behind, the student is the only person who can solve the problem of a car stalling. She has to be able to re-start the engine herself.

You cannot help her as the ignition switch is too far and out of your reach. Hopefully, you get the idea of how vitally important you have to teach your new student how to start a car.

3) Explaining how to manipulate the signals or indicators.

Next, the necessity to explain how to manipulate the signals or the indicators. Show the new student that pushing the indicator left of downwards to the right, indicates the intention to go towards the right direction.

4) Adjusting the driver’s seat.

A new driver should be taught how to adjust the seating position. Show the new driver, using the left hand, that there’s a lever under the driver’s seat which controls the seat forward or backwards. The incline adjuster is located beside the right hip of the driver.

5) How to adjust the handbrake.

Adjusting the handbrake is important. Inform the new driver to install the handbrake, one has to pull up the lever. It’s the releasing of the handbrake that poses some difficulty.

To release the brake, firstly pull up the brakes half an inch, press the release button and leave the handbrake down.

6) The gears of a manual car.

To drive a manual car, one has to learn up where the gears are located. In most cars, there’s a diagram of the gear positions imprinted on the gear knob.

Teach the student the positions of gear 1 to 5 plus the free gear. Also inform the new student, that when wishing to engage any of the gears, you should step on the clutch.

As this is the first lesson, do not bother about the reverse gear. Leave the learning of this difficult gear for another lesson.

7) The horns.

Teach or show a new student where the horn is located. Some are in the centre of the steering stalk, while others are located at the side of the steering wheel.

8) The clutch, the brakes and finally the accelerator.

Explain the various important mechanism of the clutch, the brakes and the accelerator. Explain to the new driver which leg he or she has to use. If necessary, make a new driver learn by heart the positions of the gears.

Not knowing the exact position of each gear will cause difficulty when learning how to drive.

There are other items of a manual car to be learnt. But what I’ve demonstrated to you this far will be sufficient for you to drive a car. Other things and aspects of a car will be demonstrated to you at a later stage.

Hopefully, with the advice I have given will be able to assist you to teach someone you have or care for how to drive.

Woodworking 4 Home review – Reviewing John Metz’s Woodworking4Home guide.