When motorists living abroad are working in the United Kingdom (UK), there are many differences from what they experience at home. They are allowed to drive with a valid license from home for 12 months, but must be insured. In most cases, international insurance covers auto accidents whether the vehicle owner is driving or no one is in the vehicle. Depending on what part of the UK someone is driving in, the experience can be drastically different from what they are accustomed to back home, especially for Americans. Here are 8 tips for expatriates in the UK which should help to make driving autos a little less stressful and a lot safer.

1. Drive on the left-hand side of the road. For those new to driving in Europe, paying attention to which side of the road they are traveling on and which side of the auto they enter is important to staying safe.

2. The common practice of right turn on red after stop at a traffic light in the U.S. does not translate in the UK. Wait for the signal to turn green before turning left or right.

3. When using a global positioning service (GPS) for directions, some digital directions are inaccurate. Instructions to travel down narrow lanes with dead ends or false turns sometimes leads motorists into trouble.

4. The usage of scooters on UK roadways has increased over the past few years. With better fuel efficiency and an easier time finding a place to park, motorists in the UK may be surprised by quick maneuvers on the smaller vehicles.

5. Rural roads with narrow lanes are frequently lined with bushes. This leaves little opportunity to pull off to the side at the last moment. Drivers should be watchful for oncoming vehicles.

6. UK expat auto insurance with flexible deductible options allows motorists to choose what type of motor insurance plan they have. Since auto insurance is required in Great Britain, it's important to choose a company that provides expat insurance.

7. Watch the signals. Drivers need to learn and understand the signals, as well as speed and road hazard signs before attempting to drive.

8. Busy city streets have a distinctly different atmosphere than rural roads, which may have more animals than cars on the roadway at any given time.

9. Traffic on the right has the right-of-way. Yield, or give way, when being passed by a vehicle on the right. Passing on the left is not allowed. When traveling on narrow roadways with steep hills, downhill traffic gives way to oncoming traffic traveling uphill.