Driving Tips
Most American cars are Automatic and easy to drive but if you have never driven a vehicle of this type before it may be a good idea to test drive one before you travel. The last thing you need at the hire car depot is a car you are not familiar with.
You will need a full British driving licence - an international licence is not needed. You must have your original with you and if you have a "new style" photocard, both parts are required.
Driving Safety Tips
Remember to drive on the RIGHT.
Always carry a good road map.
Lock your doors.
Do not respond to strangers telling you that "your trunk is open" or "on fire"
If you have a bump or another vehicle tries to stop you (except a police car) or see someone who indicates he/she needs help, do not stop, drive to the nearest, well-lighted area such as a petrol station before you get out of the car and dial the police 911.
Park in well lit areas. Remember the parking lot name/number.
Never take short cuts unless you are familiar with the area.
Use road numbers to plan your route.
Check the Mile Marker signs (MM) to help find your way. Some roads have (MM) and hotels, attractions etc are listed as being at or near MM (number). i.e. MM 95.
When you leave a Freeway or Interstate Highway make sure it's at the exit you require as unlike in the UK where there is usually a round-about to enable you to get back on at the same junction, many exits are exit only and you may have to travel some way to find your way back on.
You may turn right on a RED light (if clear, of course), unless otherwise stated.
All cars use unleaded fuel. (some petrol stations require you to pay before pumping, so check the pump signs). To use the pumps, you must remove the nozzle and flip the lever. Check the pump as some US unleaded pumps are colored BLUE and some diesel pumps are GREEN.
Remember to disengage your parking brake before driving.
You must use headlights during rain (don't forget to turn them off).
Never make a left turn at a junction without first giving way. At some intersections a GREEN arrow gives you right of way.
Slower traffic should keep right.
All traffic must stop and not overtake a yellow school bus from either direction on a two way street when it is stationary with flashing RED lights/stop signs.
Street signs name the street they run parallel with (not the street you are on). At a junction, the sign you see in front of you is the street you are crossing.
Place all valuables in the boot out of sight.
When driving in Miami the signs to and from the Airport and other tourist routes have a PICTURE of the SUN on them. (Sunshine Routes) USE these routes.
Avoid a ticket and subsequent fines by:
Carrying your drivers license and rental agreement in your car.
Parking off the curb.
Parking in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
Parking clear of fire hydrants and tow away zones.
Keeping strictly to the speed limits.
Wearing your seat belt and keeping small children in car seats.
Other tips
There is liquid dripping from underneath the car !!! If the liquid is clear then it is simply condensation from the air conditioning unit.
My car will not start !!! Make sure the gear lever is in the P for PARK position. The car will only start in P.
My gear lever won't go into D for DRIVE !!! Make sure you depress the brake pedal before shifting from PARK to DRIVE.
I've locked my keys in the boot (trunk) !!! This is your responsibility. Find the number of a locksmith in yellow pages and they will normally come and sort it out. If you call the hire company they will recommend a locksmith for you.
My key won't come out of the ignition !!! Make sure the gear lever is in the PARK position and the steering wheel is locked. Some cars have a release button next to the ignition
The doors keep locking us in after we pull away !!! This is an added safety feature on many cars and is perfectly normal.
What do those flashing YELLOW lights that hang over the road mean!!! They are usually at a road junction and they mean proceed with caution. If they flash RED it means STOP and treat it like a "4 way stop".
When the traffic lights are red, why do people behind blow their horn !!! Avoid the right hand lane if you are going straight ahead, the driver behind may want to turn right on RED.
What do I do at a "4 way stop"!!! A 4 way stop is a junction where no particular direction has priority. All drivers should come to a stop and the driver who got there first has the right of way.
How do I release the parking brake!!! Some cars have a foot operated parking brake located next to the brake pedal. Operate as follows: a release lever or pull tab may be located on the lower left dash panel. Pull to release. If no release lever is found, press the parking brake pedal a second time to release.
Road Signs/Traffic Lights
US road signs are very similar to those in the UK and in many cases exactly the same. Many signs are suspended on cables above the road, so keep a look out.
A very common sign indicates "right of way". It is a RED and WHITE triangle displaying "YIELD" and you must give priority to the traffic on the road you are joining when you see this sign.
Speed limit signs are usually Black on WHITE and are very clear. Each City, Town or Village can decide it's own speed limit so watch out for these as it is not unusual for a speed limit to be as low as 15mph. On major thru routes (Freeways etc) you will see TWO signs. One for the MAXIMUM speed limit and one for the MINIMUM speed you may travel at. Speed limits are strictly enforced.
Very important signs are the DIRECTIONAL signs on all major routes and road junctions. These are usually GREEN and give details of routes by route NUMBER not name. Plan your journey by the route number and you will be OK.
A very useful sign is the MILE MARKER (MM). In tourist areas there are signs on the side of the road marking the mile number. Places of interest, hotels etc will be listed as being at or just past MM (number). i.e. To find Dolphins Plus Key Largo- follow the road south into Key Largo and just after MM 100 turn left at the traffic lights.
Warning signs (narrow bridge, cross roads etc) are BLACK on YELLOW.
Information signs (keep left etc) are BLACK on WHITE.
Many roads without a central reservation have a lane in the middle that allows a driver to enter if they intend to turn left across the other carriageway. Check the lane is clear and enter using your indicator. DO NOT use this lane to overtake other vehicles.
Traffic lights are normally hanging on cables above the road and differ from the UK in that there is no RED & AMBER together before they change to GREEN. US lights change straight from RED to GREEN.
Flashing YELLOW lights at a junction means proceed with caution. Flashing RED means STOP and treat it as a "4 way stop".
Copyright 2002-2003 Site by D.Goddard