Traffic in Britain drives on the left and overtakes on the right. Main roads are designated by a letter, followed by up to four numbers - an ‘M' indicates a motorway, ‘A' a major trunk road and ‘B' a minor road. 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 and motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum amount of alcohol allowed in the blood while driving is 0.08%.

The minimum age for driving is 17 years. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory. In addition to licences or permits, overseas visitors using their own car 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 (AA) (tel: 0800 887 766; www.theaa.com), the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) (tel: 0870 572 2722; www.rac.co.uk) and Green Flag (tel: 0845 246 1558; www.greenflag.co.uk).

Emergency breakdown services: AA (tel: 0800 887 766); RAC (tel: 0800 828 282); Green Flag (tel: 0800 051 0636).

Routes to the city: Glasgow is linked to Edinburgh by the M8 motorway (passing west to the airport and the Clyde Coast) and to England by the M74, which becomes the M6 further south, toward Manchester and Birmingham. From Birmingham, the M40 continues southeast to London. The Clyde Valley Tourist Route, a more scenic route that runs through the valley parallel to the M74, has distinctive brown and white signs to guide motorists.

Approximate driving times to Glasgow: From Edinburgh - 1 hour; Manchester - 3 hours 50 minutes; London - 7 hours.

Coach services: Coaches arrive at Buchanan bus station, Killermont Street (tel: (0141) 333 3708). Traveline (tel: 0871 200 2233; www.traveline.org.uk) provides information on all coach and public transport; you can make bookings with the individual operators.

Scottish Citylink (tel: 0870 550 5050; www.citylink.co.uk) offers regular coach services between Glasgow and Edinburgh (journey time - 70 minutes). Longer distance services from most major Scottish towns and cities (including Campbeltown, Fort William, Skye, Inverness and Aberdeen) are also available. National Express (tel: 0870 580 8080; www.nationalexpress.com) operates nationwide services from London, Manchester and other destinations.