<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rb.sr:
The major problem is that we tend to drive TOO far to the left. (One's instinct is that the drivers coming in the other direction on the right are too close for comfort.)
When I returned my rental car in Ireland, the first think the agent checked was for scrapes on the left side of the car, mentioning that is where damage is most likely to occur.</font>
I've recently read that the instant check for left-side damage includes alloy wheels. If you have a choice, get the car with steel wheels & hubcaps - the damage costs may be lower.
I've driven a rental car in Britain several times in the past. I haven't had trouble with shifting a manual, but frequently will turn on the wipers trying to find the turn signal. My wife's job is to sit in the passenger seat and say "LEFT! LEFT!" (or "Keep to the LEFT, please," in a proper British accent) at intersections.