Guide
for driving in the USA
some
of this information supplied from companies we work with -
jmlvillas.com, insurance4carhire.com,
Holiday
Autos,
Essential
Travel
and Economy
Car Hire and other
acknowledged sources. It is presented on this site without responsibilty
of jml Property Services / insurance4carrental.com and should not be relied on
for accuracy.
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Driving
in the USA 
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.
In towns
and cities that have hills like San Francisco you must by law park with your front
wheels facing inwards into the curb. See
also Parking regulations
Stick to the speed limit.
Not only is it safer to do so, but it’s not unusual for Highway Patrol to hide
in bushes to catch speeding motorists unawares.
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.
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.
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.
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
Don't
risk using a mobile phone as you can receive a heavy fine in most countries and
more important cause a serious accident.
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: disabled
spaces (unless you’re authorised to do so), in front of red or yellow kerbs,
on a white line at a bus stop or within 10 feet either side of a fire hydrant.
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 
Missouri have them on both the front and rear.
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.
Drink and Driving:
Penalties for driving over the limit are harsh, so it’s best to avoid alcohol
completely if you’re driving. Limit is 0.08 More
information Here
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).
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
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 the
Republic of Ireland, Australia,
Canada
and New
Zealand
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
Winter Tyre Requirement: These are not compulsory, however
recommended for mountain driving or snowy conditions.
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. 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
City Rental Cars: Many cities now have rental cars
that you can hire by the hour and collect and drop off at locations around the
city.(City car share)Ideal for residents who do not need to own a car, but require
one for the weekly shoppoing or a visit to the country or sea.
AAA
(the American Automobile Association, Inc.) is a federation of affiliated automobile
clubs. Click on the image above on the left to enter the site
Part
Source: insurance4carhire.com
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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 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 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.
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.
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.
Watch your speed. The police are eager to catch offenders.
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.
Book
car hire in the USA -
here
Capital:
Washington DC
Telephone
Country Code:
+1
Further
Information:
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FACT FILE USA —
United States of America
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
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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
Driving
laws vary depending on the municipality you are visiting. Review the traffic laws
of each for your personal safety as well as that of other drivers.
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