Hi all,

We will be arriving in Lanza in 30 days, and is our third visit. Am ashamed to say we have never ventured further than PC and that was by bus!
We have decided to hire a car but hubby says he doesn't want to drive abroad..so it is down to little ol' me.
I am nervous about driving on busy roads, turning at a junction and the roundabouts....sounds daft but I keep thinking what if I suddenley start heading into the oncoming traffic!

I need some pointers if anyone can give me some please....this is something we have to do because 3 times in Lanza without exploring would be a crime!

Thanks

Colleen

Good Morning

If I was you I would wait 2/3 days till you settle in. Then go to the car rental offices in Los Pocillos. Its alot quieter out there. There is a big car park there and I would spin arouind there for awhile then out around the roads.
Once you get used to the car and driving on the other side you'll be fine.

Enjoy

Good Morning

Thanks for the reply and the advice...I will definately go to Los Pocillos....CT where we are staying was rather busy on the roads whilst we were there last time and I don't think I could let myself loose on them roads until a few hours practice.

Thanks again

Colleen

Sorry when you said PC, I thought you meant Puerto Del Carmen (PDC).
I would not be to familiar with Costa Tegusie and it is not close to Los Pocillos.
Someone else might be able to help with the area your staying in

It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. The fact you're sitting on the opposite side of the car helps. The roads in Lanza are fairly quiet and if you just take your time at junctions you'll be fine. Roundabouts are easy, just stay in the outside lane no matter what and take your time.

If you're in any doubt at all just give way.

And take your time.

I would get a car a car straight from the airport - the longer you procrastinate the less likely you are to do it.

Driving in Lanza is a joy - not only are you likely to get a car that is less than a year old, the roads are mainly new and very little traffic compared to the UK.

Driving on the right is fine - remember that the car is setup to drive on the right too so doesn't feel overly unnatural. Only difficulty I used to have was feeling for the gear stick and grabbing the door handle on the wrong side!

Have a few practise laps in the airport car park to get everything adjusted then off you go.
Get booking on auto reisen now!

I was the same when we went out this year, but paid a little extra (about 30 euros) and hired an automatic car for two weeks. Stopped me trying to change gear on the wrong side and opening the door by mistake (true story, my friend back in 1988!). But for a nervous driver it was worth the money, as all I had to do was point, accelerate and break!

Everyone above are right, driving is very easy in Lanzarote, and coming from me that must say something, as I have never driven a left hand drive before, by the middle of our holiday it was second nature, and I was only tooted once, too slow in reversing out of a parking spot! Joining the motorways/main roads is easy to as there is not a great deal of traffic (this was late July, early August). Even in PDC the traffic was not excessive.

Only advice would be careful on the round abouts as some have other entries onto the round about that are close to your entry onto them, and you really need to have to look deep to your left.

Have a great time.

My little 'trick' is to always think 'PP'-Passenger Pavement. Then you'll always be on the correct side of the road! Works in the UK too!-

Thanks all for the replies....

Focker I did mean Puerto del Carmen lol..sorry for the confusion.

I am still feeling nervous but the advice has been great...specially the PP tip!

Not sure about automatics...have never drove one before...I would miss my clutch and gears too much...in saying that tho I also worry I will go for the gear stick and open the door!

4 weeks tomorrow till we arrive...first day will defo not be driving as I will be landing about 1pm, hit hotel for 2pm...weather permitting will be holiday clothes on and off to go explore CT again (never tire of the place) then a cheeky stop off for a glass of something cold and alcoholic...I will let you all know how I got on...if I live to tell the tale that is!

Kindest Regards

Colleen

You won't open the door - you may scrabble around a bit with your left hand, but only for the first few minutes. Driving here is generally OK, and if you practice in a quiet arera first, you'll be fine. My wife had the same worries when we moved out, but soon got the hang of it. Thousands of people do it every year when they drive outside UKfor the first time.

I got a job in Lanza driving coach´s.
Stick with the old white line at the side of you and you´ll not go wrong.
Just take your time, and enjoy, only problem while concentrating on driving you miss the fantastic landscapes of Lanza.

Seems like a good place to ask this... as far as driving in Lanzarote, are there any major differences in the laws? For example, anything that might be common practice in the UK but is frowned upon in Lanzarote, or even illegal?

Going round roundabouts in a clockwise direction is a no no! Seriously, there aren't any more stringent laws, but Spaniards rarely use the inside lane on a roundabout, so don't assume someone is turning off at the next road. Be careful too about pedestrian crossings. These are often difficult to see because cars park right up to, and even on, them, so pedestrians appear from between parked cars expecting you to stop. Also, be careful for fellow Brits on foot looking the wrong way when crossing roads, or, when driving looking the wrong way coming out of a side turn.

Have driven in Lanza each time we go over and are over again on 5th April. You definitely will see more of the island by driving, there are some fantastic sights. As others have said, it's not difficult and driving on the right in a left hand drive car is no problem. Much easier than taking a right hand drive car over to the continent. It gets pretty natural after a few KMs. Again, NEVER get into the inner lane on roundabouts. Also, don't cross single white lines, as the Policia Local or Guardia Civil might hit you with on the spot fines. Don't speed for same reason. Also, don't wear any footwear without back straps on i.e. flip flops are a no no as these are considered unsafe for driving and again the police can have you for it. Roundabouts are plentiful and make for easier driving. Just don't get distracted by the wonderful Manrique wind sculptures on some of them. Something which I've seen a few of locals do is when slowing, at say a pedestrian crossing, they indicate once or twice toward the drivers side (left) before braking which warns the drivers behind that you intend to do something. It's also handy when slowing for reversing into a parking space. Apart from that don't worry and enjoy the rest of the island.