Driving in London can feel intimidating at first, but your journey to becoming a confident driver starts with understanding the city’s roads and rules. At GoProDrive Driving School, we believe a strong foundation makes the rest of your learning straightforward and safer. This lesson covers the essentials you must know before taking on busy streets, narrow lanes, and complex junctions.
Left-hand Driving & Roundabouts
The single most important rule to remember is that the UK drives on the left-hand side of the road. If you are used to right-hand driving, this requires deliberate practice — especially when changing lanes or turning into unfamiliar streets. Roundabouts are very common in London and operate clockwise; you must give way to traffic approaching from your right. At GoProDrive we include multiple roundabout exercises so students build confidence before heading into heavier traffic.
Speed Awareness
Speed limits in London tend to be lower than on many other roads. Central and residential areas commonly use 20–30 mph limits, and speed cameras are widespread. Fines are issued automatically, so it’s essential to watch for speed signs and maintain smooth, controlled speeds. Our lessons teach you how to match speed to road conditions — not just the limit — which helps you drive defensively and avoid penalties.
Road Signs & Special Zones
London has many specialised signs and markings: bus lanes, cycle lanes, congestion charge zones, and ULEZ areas. Ignoring restrictions can be costly, so part of this lesson focuses on sign recognition and how to interpret timings and pavement markings. Before you take a car onto busy streets, GoProDrive ensures you can identify common signs at a glance.
Sharing the Road
London roads are shared with cyclists, buses, taxis, delivery vehicles and pedestrians — all operating at different speeds and with different priorities. Maintain regular mirror checks, leave space for cyclists, and always anticipate sudden stops near bus stops and pedestrian crossings. Safe driving is about awareness: observing, predicting, and responding early.
By the end of Lesson 1, you will have a clear understanding of London’s basic rules and feel ready for practical driving sessions. To book a lesson or see our full course, visit GoProDrive booking or contact us by email.