Hey all,

I've driven LHD cars before in Europe so the practical side of things should be fine.

But do any of you have any 'golden rules' to follow when driving in the US of A?

So far I've heard you can pass on either side legally, you can turn right at a red

traffic light if the way is clear and that flashing amber means treat the junction as

though it doesn't have lights and proceed when safe to do so.

They can be 'funny' about stop signs though can't they??

Do you always have to stop regardless of traffic conditions, field of vision etc?

Can any of you worldly types out there confirm the above and do you have

any other useful tips. We will be trying to avoid the freeways wherever possible btw.

Apparently I won't be in trouble until I have racked up 3 speeding tickets

After that the Wife says I've got to pay them myself... I'm only allowed 3...

Hey all,

I've driven LHD cars before in Europe so the practical side of things should be fine.

But do any of you have any 'golden rules' to follow when driving in the US of A?

So far I've heard you can pass on either side legally, you can turn right at a red

traffic light if the way is clear and that flashing amber means treat the junction as

though it doesn't have lights and proceed when safe to do so.

They can be 'funny' about stop signs though can't they??

Do you always have to stop regardless of traffic conditions, field of vision etc?

Can any of you worldly types out there confirm the above and do you have

any other useful tips. We will be trying to avoid the freeways wherever possible btw.

Apparently I won't be in trouble until I have racked up 3 speeding tickets

After that the Wife says I've got to pay them myself... I'm only allowed 3...

I found driving in THE US of A very easy, very easy to get lost though I just stayed in the right hand lane (slow) but its very easy to drop your guard and forget to look left :( , I did ! And nearly got T BONED by a massive MACK carrying logs on 2 flatbed trucks, I chucked it into reverse and got a right old ding dong of a slap off the missus and got screamed at by the kids :( other than that it was easy peasy

Keep an eye on your speed it seems to change at random and the signs are less than obvious.

Last day in Florida we'd got used to the driving and my speed was creeping up. Got one of the troopers up the arse of our hire car lights blazing until I pulled over then he raced off. I guess we were so obviously tourists he couldn't be bothered.

And keep some change in the car in case you end up on a toll road.

Edited 31 August, 201213 yr by Aspman

dont think you can turn right on reds in all states, might be worth checking that.

imo the freeways are easy to use, even the san diego to la to san fran was easy, as you can undertake, you dont get lane hogs, and everyone seems much more relaxed rather than the way our motorways work, just have to check your mirrors at all times, but you should be doing that anyway of course.

Oh and dont speed, not too much anyway, the freeway up to san fran i think i did at about 70ish with cruise on, you can do a bit more, but they fly drones overhead checking speed.... so excessive speed will equal a night in the cells!!!!!

enjoy and have fun its not bad at all just different!

Stick to the speed limits and most states they end with a '5' ie 25,35,45,55,65 and that is often the max speed.

You can turn right on a red (if safe to do so) unless there is a sign sayng No right turn on red.

In some states you have to use headlights if you have the wipers on.

STOP means STOP!

School buses, when they stop to let the kids on & off you must stop whether you are behind or approaching from the opposite direction.

It's worth checking on the rules for the states you intend to drive in.

Hire a car with a sat nav, it saves getting lost.

4 way junctions have some strange rules which I couldn't get my head around, although that may have been due to the site I was reading it on, priority depends on who gets there first as far as I understand.

If you get stopped by the police, stay in the car. Friend did the brit thing and jumped out to meet the cop only to get a gun pulled on him (cop was a bit twitchy till he heard the accent)!!

Speed limits make no sense, the seem to change randomly.

Different states (even different counties) can have different rules. Make sure you hire car insurance covers you across the states you will travelling.

Try the US embassy site for advice, or AA.

Like one or two other have said STOP at stop signs, even if no traffic around. Also right of way at stop signs goes in order of who got there first. So if you’re the 3rd person to come to a stop you are 3rd to leave. If in doubt just hang back and you will soon get a horn telling you to go lol.

Getting onto a freeway can be a little daunting at first as the traffic seems to ignore those coming onto it. Once on though relax, loads of room

There seems to be a lot more police around than over here, usually parked up somewhere waiting to pounce. If you look suspicious they will pull you no questions lol, so don’t panic if they happen to choose you :p

Brilliant advice so far

Really appreciate your help and advice.

If you get stopped by the police, stay in the car. Friend did the brit thing and jumped out to meet the cop only to get a gun pulled on him (cop was a bit twitchy till he heard the accent)!!

Bleeding hell, really? Glad I was told that little gem :yes:

V easy to drive, I did a 5 hr stint and it was fine, in uk, anymore than 1:30 i'll be complaining or moaning because of increased stress levels due to other drivers.....

The locals speed up to 10 mph above the limit indicated, so i followed traffic (as i would here). You'll see patrols dotted across the state/s @ every 10-20 miles which is reassuring.

Keep dollar, quarters and cents for tolls.

Find a cup holder (and beverage)! it gets v thirsty driving on open straight roads.

People tend to undertake more often over there so really check your mirrors before changing lanes.

I found it a little confusing looping clockwise rather than anti clockwise on slip roads, so you'll need to take your time exiting/entering highways.

A/B roads equivalent are 35mph MAX not like UK NSL (60/70 mph) . They don't often have solid white lines on the sides etc though, so suppose its more dangerous.

When you get to junctions and you need to give way, you need to stop, then go. you cannot do a rolling stop. They will pull you over for that.

They have this order system - whoever arrived there first goes, but you must stop first before you go. Simplez....... Until you actually try it lol

Edited 31 August, 201213 yr by JLneonhug

We hired the latest tom tom here off Ebay to take with us.

Homer simpsons voice and preloaded with all the sites (Disneyworld ,etc.)

Much cheaper than hiring locally in the USA.

The big trucks are not limited to 56 mph.

If it's 65/75mph on the freeway that's what they'll do.

Drive below the speed limit at your peril.....

don't get lost in downtown Orlando - very scary!!"

Most states have a driver guide online. Below is a link to the WSDOL driver guide.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/docs/driverguide-en.pdf

Four way stop: take a look at page 41.

Roundabout (rotary/traffic circle): Confuse many Americans. They expect you drive at no more than about 20mph.

Right turn on red: Take a look at page 54.

Left turn on red: Take a look at page 54. Be aware that many Americans don't understand this.

Cops: STAY IN THE CAR if you get pulled over unless you want to get shot or at least annoy the cop. Call the cop Sir/Maam or Officer. Be polite.

School buses, when they stop to let the kids on & off you must stop whether you are behind or approaching from the opposite direction.

From DIL-who's a native of California- get acquanted with ALL the school bus regs - especially the ones on flashing lights. Mate of mine( who has spent a lot of time over there) advised if lights flashing to stop

You can use HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes on the freeway around cities. They can save you some time in rush hours if you have more than 1 or 2 persons in the car.

This threads great as I'll be over there for three weeks next year, good to find out what's what

don't get lost in downtown Orlando - very scary!!"

+1

Also if hit and you're in a tourist area, but lost or the area is rough /at night drive somewhere busy and well lit, even call the police.

Lots of staged accident muggings these days.

Most things already said.

Stop means full stop.

4 way stop, first one there is the first one to go (after a full stop)

Highways, keep your lane and go with the flow.

Speeding is often checked by radar or even a sherrif with two cones and a stopwatch.

If you have any alcohol in the car, take care that it is locked! (with a key, not just put in the glove compartment with the lid closed) in the glove compartment or in the trunk.

Very strict on these rules.

Dont drive barefoot or with flip flops.

Turning right on red isnt allowed in all states.

If a cop stops you, stay in the car with the hands on the top of the dash. Show your hands, the cops can be pretty nervous (see above)

If you are a RAC member, you can always stop by a AAA (american automobile association) and ask for tips and maps. They can even work out a trip for you and

will give you the maps to it. Also have books and booklets for the different states and hotel guides.

Ref alcohol. Most states you can't carry it in the passenger area. Must be in the boot.

Keep your ID ...passport and drivers licience in the car with you, dont argue with state troopers no matter how dumb their questions!!..They have no sense of humour at all and will have no qualms about dragging you out of the car and asking questions later!!...If you breakdown get out of the car and get as far away as possible as the verge means feck all over there!! In built up areas the off ramp you want can be on either side of the road! I'll think of more as the day goes on

kit

You normally pay for your fuel before filling up,

Always keep ID and driving docs with you.

Their freeways work better than our motorways as you can pass on either side - always check your mirrors!!

Speeding fines are doubled if you exceed the limit during roadworks

Flashing red means "stop" and then proceed when safe to do so

Flashing amber means "give way" and then proceed when safe to do so.

and never pass a yellow school bus in either direction that is letting children off.

and never pass a yellow school bus in either direction that is letting children off.

That would be a sensible rule here too if they'd agree to clearly mark school buses.

A few things that I noticed when driving in the States.

• On a freeway it is possible for the off ramp to be on either side of the road. Not like in England when it is always on the left on a motorway.
  
• For fuel you go in the station put money on the pump, fill up and then go back in to collect any change you may be due.
  
• I hired a SAT NAV while I was there for a week, I think it cost around $12 a day. I also looked to see how much the cheapest SAT NAV was after I'd hired one. I could have brought one for the cost of hiring one for the week. DOH!
  

All I can think of currently, have fun!

I installed TomTom US and Canada on my iPhone, combined with the tomtom holder it worked fine.

But you can always buy a cheap navigation system in one of the bigger electronic stores. Cheaper

than the hired one

Don't decorate the car with Slogans! You will get shot and beat up by hillbillies!

Have a great time