Main roads are designated by a letter, followed by up to four numbers: ‘M’ (motorway), ‘A’ (major trunk road) and ‘B’ (minor trunk road). Traffic drives on the left and drivers must be over 18 years old. The speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Seat belts are compulsory for drivers, front-seat passengers and rear-seat passengers (if fitted). Motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory.

Overseas visitors bringing their own cars should bring registration documents and check with their insurance company as to whether a Green Card is needed. Breakdown service and general motoring information is available from the Automobile Association (tel: (0870) 550 0600; website: www.theaa.co.uk ), the Royal Automobile Club (tel: (0870) 572 2722; website: www.rac.co.uk ) and Green Flag (tel: (0800) 001 371; website: www.greenflag.co.uk ).

Emergency breakdown services (toll free):
AA (0800) 887 766
Green Flag (0800) 400 600
RAC (0800) 828 282

Routes to the city:  The M25 encircles London. The M1, M11, M20, M26, M3, M4 and M40 radiate from the capital to the rest of Britain. Manchester is linked to Birmingham by the M6, while the M40 connects Birmingham and London. Motorists and their cars can travel by Eurotunnel train ( website: www.eurotunnel.co.uk ) through the Channel Tunnel from Nord Pas-de-Calais, France to Folkstone (M20 to London), southern England (tel: (0870) 535 3535).

Driving times to London: from Dover (near Folkstone) – 1 hour 45 minutes; Birmingham – 2 hours 15 minutes; and Manchester – 3 hours 45 minutes.

Coach services:  National and international services use Victoria coach station (a few minutes’ walk from Victoria train station) at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 (tel: (020) 7730 3466). Facilities include bureaux de change, ATMs, travel and hotel agencies, information desks and left-luggage office. National Express (tel: (0870) 580 8080; website: www.gobycoach.com ) runs services throughout the UK. Eurolines (tel: (020) 7730 8235) has departures to over 300 continental destinations.