How many countries have you driven in?

kaishang · 10-29-2011, 04:08 PM

When you go somewhere, do you like to drive? I think driving is the best way to get around... so for me:

UK

Europe; 7 or so western European countries

Australia: really low speed limits

New Zealand: pretty, some long bridges in countryside are single track with turnouts for passing built into the bridge

US: easy driving but filtering on a motorcycle is illegal except California, which seems nuts

Cambodia: roads used to be really busted up, now a lot better

Laos: also a big improvement in roads. Rented a 4wd but only bogged it once. Don't drive at night due to cows on road

Vietnam: initial chaotic appearance of traffic, but it's actually very orderly and predictable and easy to drive in. Lived there 3 years and only had to bribe policeman once.

Hong Kong: sort of developed Asia meets UK

China: depends where you drive. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou no problem. Provincial cities can make you want to get out of the car with a baseball bat. Lot of fatal accidents.

Taiwan: don't drive in Taipei, parking is BAD. Countryside really pretty. One of the few countries where you actually need an international driving permit; IDP

Indonesia: can get bad traffic in Jakarta; countryside is nice open roads

Brunei: really need a car to visit national parks etc even though it is a small place

Malaysia: used to live in KL and self banned myself from driving on Wed, Thurs and Friday due to bad traffic.

Philippines: Manila is one of the few places where I just won't drive. First driving experience there was a busted up jeep with minimal brakes and an accelerator which got stuck in the full throttle position

Chile: rental cars are expensive but good way to get around Patagonia

Think that's it but will add a few more Euro countries next year.

zltm089 · 10-29-2011, 05:04 PM

UK- wonderful speed cameras....
Mauritius- you should be safe in a hummer...

AlanQS · 10-29-2011, 06:45 PM

The 4 U.K. countries, Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.
France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Portugal, Crete, Cyprus, er, that's it for Europe.

United States (Florida)
South Africa
Swaziland - right along the Mozambique border - lots of machine gun towers - lovely!
Malaysia (Only Penang)
Bangkok, Thailand - only a couple of times.

dxb335d · 10-30-2011, 02:06 AM

Only driven abroad when I have gone on 'Ring trips. So France, Belgium, Holland & Germany.

Also driven a quad bike on the road in Greece and rolled it pretty bad.

I did drive a hire car in Spain in 06 but only briefly.

Route 16 · 10-30-2011, 02:59 AM

Japan, Philippines, US.

rich1068 · 10-30-2011, 05:05 AM

Proper driving only in France (love the motorways) and Italy. Italy was interesting for the usual reasons but also because I was using a satnav that had Europe split over two SD cards. As soon as we crossed the border from France to Italy the screen just went blank. Excellent.

Holiday driving in Antigua a few times where the obviously relaxed Caribbean approach to everything extended to what side of the road the locals drove on. It seemed to me that everyone driving a European or Japanese import thought it best to drive on the left. Everyone driving an American import seemed to have a different point of view.

ZURICH · 10-30-2011, 05:42 AM

OK, here we go.
UK great but conjested
Sweden, Norway Finland great roads, no trafic except cities.
Denmark, Germany nice and fast, lookout for Big trucks pulling out.
France, excelent "A" roads, keep off the expensive tolls.
Switzerland, Fantastic roads all over, NO TOLLS but pay 42 Swiss Francs for unlimited driving for a year.
Portugal, Spain, Italy, poor road quality homicidal drivers and touch parking.
Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, good roads but sooo boring.
Western Australia, great roads but use a 4x4 for safety reasons.
Venezuela, definately a 4x4, roads crap but OMG the scenery and fuel is the cheapest on the planet about 3-5 cents a litre so about 20 cents a gallon, a must go place.
Central America, 4X4 a must bad roads more honicidal drivers, survival of the biggest.
USA, East coast, good quality, big roads small roads very diverse in quality.
Canada, West coast great roads polite drivers.
Middle East in general, great roads when they have them otherwise tracks, watch out for IED's and Bimmer Donkeys, only one speed "fast"
Russia, good roads in general,Take a local with you at all times and have US Dollars handy.
South Africa, great roads in built up areas and major highways, WTF everywhere else do not stop for anything or anyone if you crash, go to nearest police station, carjacking is a registered occupation.

Eastern Europe, go if you must.

marlie · 10-30-2011, 08:51 AM

Uk
America
Sri lanka - Crazy
France
Germany
Dubai

LexS · 10-30-2011, 12:37 PM

UK - Government and safety freaks slowly sucking the fun out of our B roads
France - Nice but tedious
Spain - Not one person seems to give a monkeys about concentrating on the road
Belgium - Yawn
Germany - Whoever lays their roads must be an avid car enthusiast

Rich1068

I've only passengered in Antigua but I fully understand everything you've said about that place. You can do what you want and no-one is remotely bothered, bloody dangerous but maybe the UK should relax a little.

chris_s1 · 10-30-2011, 01:48 PM

As per many people here, I've driven in most of western europe and 20+ different US states and Canada.

Did 3 weeks driving around Costa Rica - now that was interesting.......In the wet season as well. Treacherous, scary, unsafe, but probably the most enjoyable time ever

RCUK · 10-30-2011, 05:02 PM

England
Southern Ireland
France
Belgium
Germany
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
US
Thailand
Mauritius

Having been to mauritius a few times - echo the sentiment above. Just drive and assume everyone is a bloody idiot on the road - and youll be safe!!

magic77 · 10-31-2011, 03:06 AM

Not bad nearly have lost track

UK and NI
Southern Ireland
France
Belgium
Holland
Switzerland
Germany
Lichtenstein
Luxembourg
Poland
USA

just of the few USA being weirdest huge open roads and 55 speed limits

10-29-2011, 04:08 PM	#1
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	How many countries have you driven in? When you go somewhere, do you like to drive? I think driving is the best way to get around... so for me: UK Europe; 7 or so western European countries Australia: really low speed limits New Zealand: pretty, some long bridges in countryside are single track with turnouts for passing built into the bridge US: easy driving but filtering on a motorcycle is illegal except California, which seems nuts Cambodia: roads used to be really busted up, now a lot better Laos: also a big improvement in roads. Rented a 4wd but only bogged it once. Don't drive at night due to cows on road Vietnam: initial chaotic appearance of traffic, but it's actually very orderly and predictable and easy to drive in. Lived there 3 years and only had to bribe policeman once. Hong Kong: sort of developed Asia meets UK China: depends where you drive. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou no problem. Provincial cities can make you want to get out of the car with a baseball bat. Lot of fatal accidents. Taiwan: don't drive in Taipei, parking is BAD. Countryside really pretty. One of the few countries where you actually need an international driving permit; IDP Indonesia: can get bad traffic in Jakarta; countryside is nice open roads Brunei: really need a car to visit national parks etc even though it is a small place Malaysia: used to live in KL and self banned myself from driving on Wed, Thurs and Friday due to bad traffic. Philippines: Manila is one of the few places where I just won't drive. First driving experience there was a busted up jeep with minimal brakes and an accelerator which got stuck in the full throttle position Chile: rental cars are expensive but good way to get around Patagonia Think that's it but will add a few more Euro countries next year.
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10-29-2011, 05:04 PM	#2
zltm089 Banned 243 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	UK- wonderful speed cameras.... Mauritius- you should be safe in a hummer...
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10-29-2011, 06:45 PM	#3
AlanQS Colonel 240 Rep 2,810 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	The 4 U.K. countries, Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland. France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Portugal, Crete, Cyprus, er, that's it for Europe. United States (Florida) South Africa Swaziland - right along the Mozambique border - lots of machine gun towers - lovely! Malaysia (Only Penang) Bangkok, Thailand - only a couple of times.
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10-30-2011, 02:06 AM	#4
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 948 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Only driven abroad when I have gone on 'Ring trips. So France, Belgium, Holland & Germany. Also driven a quad bike on the road in Greece and rolled it pretty bad. I did drive a hire car in Spain in 06 but only briefly. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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10-30-2011, 02:59 AM	#5
Route 16 I got lei'd 844 Rep 7,593 Posts Drives: '10 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Dark Side of the Moon iTrader: (62)	Japan, Philippines, US.
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10-30-2011, 05:05 AM	#6
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Proper driving only in France (love the motorways) and Italy. Italy was interesting for the usual reasons but also because I was using a satnav that had Europe split over two SD cards. As soon as we crossed the border from France to Italy the screen just went blank. Excellent. Holiday driving in Antigua a few times where the obviously relaxed Caribbean approach to everything extended to what side of the road the locals drove on. It seemed to me that everyone driving a European or Japanese import thought it best to drive on the left. Everyone driving an American import seemed to have a different point of view.
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10-30-2011, 05:42 AM	#7
ZURICH Major 41 Rep 1,153 Posts Drives: E91 320d Touring M Sport Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wettingen iTrader: (0)	OK, here we go. UK great but conjested Sweden, Norway Finland great roads, no trafic except cities. Denmark, Germany nice and fast, lookout for Big trucks pulling out. France, excelent "A" roads, keep off the expensive tolls. Switzerland, Fantastic roads all over, NO TOLLS but pay 42 Swiss Francs for unlimited driving for a year. Portugal, Spain, Italy, poor road quality homicidal drivers and touch parking. Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, good roads but sooo boring. Western Australia, great roads but use a 4x4 for safety reasons. Venezuela, definately a 4x4, roads crap but OMG the scenery and fuel is the cheapest on the planet about 3-5 cents a litre so about 20 cents a gallon, a must go place. Central America, 4X4 a must bad roads more honicidal drivers, survival of the biggest. USA, East coast, good quality, big roads small roads very diverse in quality. Canada, West coast great roads polite drivers. Middle East in general, great roads when they have them otherwise tracks, watch out for IED's and Bimmer Donkeys, only one speed "fast" Russia, good roads in general,Take a local with you at all times and have US Dollars handy. South Africa, great roads in built up areas and major highways, WTF everywhere else do not stop for anything or anyone if you crash, go to nearest police station, carjacking is a registered occupation. Eastern Europe, go if you must. __________________ M Sport Package, (PDC), front / rear, Cruise control Mystic Blue Metallic, Beige Dakota leather, Alarm, Automatic transmission, Panoramic glass roof, Heated Seats, Lumbar etc etc "I don't Fuck around but when I do, I dont fuck around"
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10-30-2011, 08:51 AM	#8
marlie Captain 338 Rep 807 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Uk America Sri lanka - Crazy France Germany Dubai __________________
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10-30-2011, 12:37 PM	#9
LexS Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 203 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	UK - Government and safety freaks slowly sucking the fun out of our B roads France - Nice but tedious Spain - Not one person seems to give a monkeys about concentrating on the road Belgium - Yawn Germany - Whoever lays their roads must be an avid car enthusiast Rich1068 I've only passengered in Antigua but I fully understand everything you've said about that place. You can do what you want and no-one is remotely bothered, bloody dangerous but maybe the UK should relax a little. __________________
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10-30-2011, 01:48 PM	#10
chris_s1 Major 36 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 E92 335d [8.66]	As per many people here, I've driven in most of western europe and 20+ different US states and Canada. Did 3 weeks driving around Costa Rica - now that was interesting.......In the wet season as well. Treacherous, scary, unsafe, but probably the most enjoyable time ever
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10-30-2011, 05:02 PM	#11
RCUK Lieutenant Colonel 100 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 911 Turbo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orpington, Kent iTrader: (4)	England Southern Ireland France Belgium Germany Australia New Zealand Canada US Thailand Mauritius Having been to mauritius a few times - echo the sentiment above. Just drive and assume everyone is a bloody idiot on the road - and youll be safe!! __________________ Been there, done that, driven the 'Ring
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10-31-2011, 03:06 AM	#12
magic77 Brigadier General 258 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	Not bad nearly have lost track UK and NI Southern Ireland France Belgium Holland Switzerland Germany Lichtenstein Luxembourg Poland USA just of the few USA being weirdest huge open roads and 55 speed limits __________________ F30 335i M Sport - now departed
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