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If you’ve got time up your sleeve, hitting the open road is a wonderful way to take in some of the USA’s most spectacular and diverse landscapes. Drivers here tend to respect the road rules and their fellow drivers, which should make your trip even more enjoyable. Most car rentals are automatic transmission.
Key rules, regulations and things to know Drive on the right overtake on the left. Make sure you park to the right, so that you’re not facing traffic.
Plan your route using road numbers and compass directions. In many cases, this is all you’ll see on signs, rather than street or town names. Watch out for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. They’re restricted to vehicles carrying a minimum number of passengers. Penalties for using them illegally can be high.
The driver who gets to a junction first has right of way, unless traffic lights or signs indicate otherwise. If two or more drivers arrive a junction at the same time, give way to the right.
You can overtake to the left or right on most multi-lane routes. This means your car can be overtaken from the left or right, too. Look out for stationery school buses with flashing lights. It’s illegal to overtake them. Give way to traffic joining expressways. It’s common practice in many states for drivers to join expressways without stopping. Know when your exits are coming up on expressways. Unlike many other countries, there are often no signs to warn you when you’re approaching an exit. Exit lanes on freeways and expressways can be on the left or right. If you want to travel straight through, you’ll need to stay in the middle lane(s).
You will find that most US hire cars are automatics - brushing up on the technique before you go may be useful. Smoking in cars: From 1st October 2015 drivers in England and Wales will be banned from smoking in cars carrying children under the age of 18. The law aims to protect young people under 18 from second-hand smoke. Similar bans are already in place in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Road rules can change by state. So make sure you check the laws in your destination(s) before you start your journey. See Article Below State Boundaries - According to Protectyourbubble individual state laws may differ - worth thinking about if you plan to cross a state line and some rental car insurance may not support crossing state lines - worth checking out this could impact your cover.
In some cases an out of state or international permit is sufficient; in others a local, temporary permit is required. Where applicable, it is worth checking with your car hire company or contacting a local tourist office representing your destination. Many
states' Departments of Motor
Vehicles now provide information
and/or application forms on
their internet websites. Following
are web links and addresses
for the appropriate departments
of some of the more popular
holiday destinations by clicking
on the image below
Part Source: insurance4carhire.com Information from holiday autos about the USA Brits can’t get enough of the USA. Wild West. Mickey Mouse. Hollywood. See it all. Just book car hire and a GPS. We’ve pick-up locations all over the country, so they’ll always be one handy. The roads in the US are in excellent condition and make for that perfect road trip, just remember you need to be 21 to book USA car hire. The police over there are pretty hot on car hire codes of conduct so make sure you've always got your driving documents at hand. For a low-cost rental, book car hire in USA today.
car hire in Florida - Theme parks, Disney and beaches. What more could you want? Arrange USA car hire and head out on a 100-mile road trip along the Florida Keys. Avoid Spring Break at all costs (unless you’re a student). Swap car hire for an airboat in the Everglades, or a seat on Space Mountain at Disney World. Both are only a short drive away from Orlando airport. car hire in Texas - Texas. Home to oil barons, cowboys and the longest running TV show in history and Houson International Airport . Explore it for yourself with USA car hire. Take a drive down memory lane and see the gun that shot JR. Southfork Ranch is only 25 minutes from Dallas airport in your car rental. In the mood for Tacos? Drive across the border and get a taste of the real stuff. Mexico is a 50-minute drive from Dallas. car hire in Arizona - Heading to Arizona? Don’t forget to arrange car hire, it’s a big state and a car is the best way to get around. Drive to the Grand Canyon. Swap your hire car for a raft and head down the Colorado River for a white water adventure. Get down and dirty in Monument Valley, it’s on the border with Utah. You’ll soon feel like you’re in a western movie – just in a car not on a horse.
Top driving tips - In the main in New York, even-numbered streets go east and odd-numbered streets go west. Parking in a lot will always be cheaper than parking at a meter.
When stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic, lock your doors. It’s not uncommon for someone to jump in the passenger side in Florida. Just because it’s a green light doesn’t mean it’s safe to go in Texas. Look out for signs when driving near Native American reservations. Many roads are off-limits to non-tribal members. At intersections you can make a right turn on a red light in California. Avoid driving down The Strip in Las Vegas on a Friday afternoon. You won’t get anywhere. Capital: Washington DC Telephone Country Code: +1
Further Information:
The USA — United States of America is in the continent of North America. It is bordered both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. It is made up of 50 states and 1 district; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming The Capital is Washington, DC Language Spoken: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7% Population: 298,444,215 Main Cities: New York — Los Angeles — Chicago — Boston — Miami -Pittsburgh — Orlando — Atlanta — Houston — Philadelphia — San Diego — Phoenix — San Antonio — Dallas- Detroit — San Jose — Indianapolis — San Francisco- Jacksonville Currency: The unit of currency in the USA is the $ US Dollar 100 cents - Currency Conversion Here Electricity: Electricity in United States of America / USA is 120 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. You will need special adaptors that can be purchased at most European airports for your portable applicances. In certain cases you might need a voltage convertor Telephones: Country Code 00 1 — you will need a Tri band mobile to work in the USA — Check with your mobile phone provider first Vehicles drive on the RIGHT Public Holidays In The USA: New Year's Day — 1st January Martin Luther King Day — Third Monday of January Lincoln's Birthday — 12-February in some northern states Washington's Birthday — 20th February Memorial Day — Last Monday in May Independence Day — 4th July Labour Day — 1st Monday in September Columbus Day — 2nd Monday in October Veteran's Day — 11th November Thanksgiving Day — Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day — 25th December Source jmlvillas.com
Further Information: USA.gov: Tour the US . Official Government website. Features tips for foreign drivers, links to individual state transport websites and general information about travelling in the USA Finally, Don’t forget your car hire excess insurance and buy it before you set off
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI) can cost as much as US $30 a day if you buy your cover from your rental company. Save money and protect yourself before you go with insurance4carrental car hire insurance or cdwsli.com - Daily car rental insurance See also: Collision Damage Waiver - CDW and Supplemental Liability Insurance – SLI
SEE ALSO: Getting more from your holiday - Travel tips for 2011 International Collision Damage Waiver (I.C.D.W) Enquiry Here - USA/Canada
Other Country Information Guides | ||||||||||||||
Home of the
2003 Women's Football World
Cup 
In towns and cities that have
hills like San Francisco you
must by law park with your
front wheels facing inwards
into the curb. 
Stick to the 
You
can turn right at red traffic
lights in most (not all!)
states, unless signs tell
you otherwise. But you’ll
need to come to a complete
stop and ensure the road is
clear before you do so.
Pedestrians at
marked crossings have right
of way. Driving over a pedestrian
crossing if people are already
on it or waiting to cross
is illegal.
Speeds and distances
on road signs
appear in miles. Not kilometres.
Speed limit minimums
and maximums vary across the
50 states. Highway speeds
can range from 55 miles per
hour to 75, while city driving
and neighborhood traffic can
dip to 25 miles per hour or
lower. Signs are posted in
most populated areas, but
you can always ask your car
rental agency or motor club
about specific questions.
Mobile Phones / Cell Phones:
Many states ban the use of
hand held mobile phones whilst
driving. Even in those states
people still use them! For
regulations on the use of
these click on the image below
from the
Governors Highway Safety Association
- GHSA
Parking
regulations are
varied across the states.
Parking lots can be metered,
carry a flat fee, or come
free to everyone. Streetside
parking is common, but hard
to come by in the more populated
cities. Parallel parking is
also common, but not nearly
as common as you might be
used to in other countries.
Check the posted signage for
limitations, which can include
zoning restrictions, scheduled
street-sweeping, snow emergency
routes, and reservations for
nearby places of business.
Don’t park in the following
places: 
Number Plates: In some
states Louisiana for example
do not have registration plates
on the front. Others like
Texas, California and where
this Enterprise rental car
came from 
Seat belts must
be worn by the driver and
all passengers at all times.
And if you’re travelling with
a baby or young child, make
sure they’re travelling in
an approved car or booster
seat.
The USA is famous for its
interstate highways so be
prepared for long, straight
drives across open country,
interrupted by areas of dense
urban traffic. Six- and eight-lane
highways can be nerveracking
for drivers not accustomed
to so much traffic, so again,
take it slow and stick to
the slower lanes on the right.
Interstate highways that run
north-south have odd numbers,
while east-west highways carry
even numbers. Remember that
some parts of the country
are desert or mountain wildernesses
and can be dangerous if you
and your vehicle are not prepared
for the prevailing conditions.
It is a good
idea to ask ahead about toll
roads, these are often called
"turnpikes." Most issue tickets
at your point of entry and
assess the toll at your point
of exit, with the amount determined
by your length of travel.
Credit and debit cards are
accepted at some toll booths,
but not all.
Road Signs:
In the USA the road signs
are very similar to those
in 
Disabled parking
permits: If
you visit the local Department
of Motoring Vehicles when
you arrive and produce your
blue badge they will provide
you with a temporary badge
for your visit. According
to the US Embassy, London
UK website - Requirements
for disabled permits for visiting
motorists vary from state
to state. 
car hire in New York
- The
Big Apple – Bloomingdales.
Statue of Liberty. Madison
Square Gardens. Broadway.
All are only a hop across
the Atlantic. Book cheap car
hire and let your money do
the talking at designer shopping
outlet, Woodbury Commons.
It's only an hour's drive
in the car. Only a day’s drive
away is Niagara Falls. Bet
you thought it was in Canada.
Well half of it is. 
car hire in Massachusetts
- Home
of Cheers, the Boston Tea
Party and the Red Sox. Car
hire and a GPS will give you
the freedom to explore the
state at your own pace. Boston
is the place to be. It’s young,
it’s trendy and has history
coming out its ears. Ever
been up close and personal
with a 40-ton whale? No? Book
car hire and head to Cape
Cod, swap your hire car for
a boat and set the camera
to video mode.
car hire in Tennessee
- There’s
only one reason to go to Tennessee
- music. American car hire
is readily available across
the state, just book and you’re
ready to explore the home
of Country. It’s not a palace
but you’ll still need to pay
to visit the home of The King.
Graceland is only three miles
from Memphis airport so make
the most of cheap car rental.
Take the short drive to Nashville
and take your seat for some
classic Country at the Grand
Ole Opry.
car hire in California
- Los
Angeles, San Francisco and
San Diego make up the state
of California. It’s well worth
finding a good deal on USA
car hire and exploring all
three. Get up close with the
stars in Hollywood, take the
car down Rodeo Drive then
head to Malibu for some quality
beach time. Swap your hire
car for a prison cell. Take
a tour of Alcatraz and get
locked in solitary confinement.
Don’t worry, they let you
out again.
car hire in Nevada
- There’s
never a dull moment in Nevada.
Make sure you see and do it
all. Car hire in the USA is
ideal for that classic road
trip. You can’t escape Las
Vegas – and why would you.
With your car rental drive
down The Strip and see it
in all its glory. Not one
for bright lights? Nevada
is also a great base to swap
the hire car for a set of
skis. Lake Tahoe is about
an hour’s drive from the airport.
Watch your speed. The police
are eager to catch offenders.
Driving
in
Austria
Driving
in
Belgium
Driving
in
Bulgaria
Driving
in
Canada
Driving
in
Cyprus
Driving
in
The
Czech
Republic
Driving
in
Denmark
Driving
in
England
Driving
in
Finland
Driving
in
France
and
Corscia
Driving
in
Germany
Driving
in
Greece
and
the
Greek
Islands
Driving
in
Holland
Driving
in
Hungary
Driving
in
Iceland
Driving
in
Ireland