Driving in the US

[theArchitect]

Hi guys,

Not photo related, but...

I am travelling to the US (CA, NV, AZ) in a couple of months & will be hiring a car. Not having driven in the US before, is there anything I need to know?

In the UK we have a printed highway code that lists relevant traffic laws & best practice, is there anything similar for the US?

Thanks

[candidrachel]

Drive on the right I don't think they have roundabouts over there by what I remember.

[Jim Bryant]

What out for those drivers in CA You gonna have the experience of a lifetime,

[junglebear]

Just don't do what the Top Gear guys did, and you should be fine

[tonyniev]

get traffic rules from DMV.gov sites...most important to know is the stop requirement when a school bus is picking up children. In an undivided road , all traffic must stop when the bus stop lights are blinking, we also have the "move over" rule- on the highway when a traffic car is ticketing on the shoulder or there is a stalled car, and you can safely change lanes then you have to move out of the outer most lane into the inner lane...most people drive faster than speed limits, +10 miles is common, but school sign speed limits 15mph and small town speed limits must be followed, some towns like Hurricane UT on the way to Zion is a speed tra, if they say 35 mph stay within 35.

Enjoy...

[candidrachel]

@ junglebear - that Top Gear programme was hilarious! Its still my favourite and still makes me pmsl!

[Rolling Stone]

Avoid rush hour in Phoenix and Las Vegas if you're heading that way. On that same note, avoid Southern Ca. anytime, if you can. You will spend half a day in traffic. Honestly, you will!

[RichardTaylor]

As a visitor to the USA, from a country where we drive on the left (Australia), we have found driving to be a generally positive experience.
They have a beaut' freeway system and some really intelligent traffic rules (like u turns at traffic lights). We think American drivers are generally good and courteous (Although we havn't driven in Boston).

Driving in the country road driving is dead easy - no problems at all. As TonyNiev says they do tend to exceed the speed limit (the only people who don't are probably tourists), except when road works signs are up ( we noticed a lot of policing where there were road works).

Driving in cities and even in small towns can be a challenge however you will find GPS will be of major assistance (I have driven in Los Angeles alone, with a GPS for a navigator)., Parking is a lot cheaper and easier than in the UK!
As always, in another country, navigation may be your biggest problem.

Example: Woodstock - a village in Vermont.


A couple of tips:
We never rent a car on the day we fly in (it is a 13 hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles) and try to pick up the rental car on a sunday morning as it does give you a little time to get used to things before hitting peak hour traffic in a big city.

@candidrachel
They do have roundabouts (in the east at least) although not to the same extent as the UK.

We have driven in the west (CA, NV, UT, AZ, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming) and in New England (NY, VT, MA, CT, RI, Maine & New Hampshire)

Hope this helps, Richard

[PowerPix]

We do have a free booklet with traffic laws and regulations in it. You can pick one up at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). I'd ask the rental company to direct you to the nearest location.

Here are some tips:
Driving in the United States

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

[Twinpanther]

Some things I found around the web:

• An International Driving Permit (IDP) translates information contained on your driver's license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid government-issued license--it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce both your IDP and your official driver's license. The United States does NOT issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document before traveling to the U.S.
  
• Recognize that US drivers' abilities and skills are as diverse as its culture. Do not assume that other drivers will act the same. People often drive while using cell phones, read maps, eat, drink or groom themselves while driving and are often not aware of other vehicles. Learn defensive driving techniques. Abrupt lane changes are not uncommon in areas popular with tourists and visitors.
  
• Watch those one-way roads. Also in many downtown metropolitan areas, be careful of one-way roads. Look to see what direction the parked cars are facing before you turn.
  
• Americans have a strong respect for lanes. Not respecting lanes is a good way to get into an accident and provoke the ire of the police and other drivers. This doesn't mean they will stay in one lane, however. Often (especially in metropolitan areas) they will abruptly change lanes, but straddling lanes is taboo.

Here is a PDF of the California Driver Handbook. I'm guessing each state's DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or AAA (American Automobile Assiciation) should have info that would be useful for you as well.

This is a link to the International Relations AAA. Has information on IDP and IADP as well.

Hope some of this helps. Enjoy your visit!!!

Paul