What is it like driving in the States?

Question

Is it easier or harder than in the UK? Just wondering as considering car hire when I go to the States.

Answer 1

It took some getting used to....especially the traffic lights ~ you can turn right on a red light as long as there is nothing coming in the opposite direction. There are no roundabouts. My hubbie had never driven abroad before but he ended up doing over 1000 miles in 2 weeks. Everything is well signposted too. It has to be a lot worse for Americans on our roads.

Answer 2

Almost all of these answers are great....we drive on the opposite side of the road than the UK, in larger towns there is obviously much more traffic and people who will just about be on your back bumper. But also know this info as well: The lane on the right (if you are in two or more lanes in each direction is for the slower traffic, you must pull over to the right if an emergency vehicle is coming and you are not on a divided or 4+ lane (2 or more lanes going in opposite directions), if a school bus is stopped in front of you and they have their stop sign out you are not allowed to continue until the sign is closed by the bus driver, and all of our roads have posted speed limits in MPH, NOT KmH. Your dash board/driver's panel will have both but the more dominant speedometer will be in MPH.

Persons who have already acquired an International Drivers License may drive immediately upon arrival in the U.S. But only do so after you have learned the appropriate signals, signs and local driving laws and practices. Don't ever drive without a valid driver's license! You will get into serious trouble. Please be sure that your International Driver's License is printed in English. If your license is printed in a foreign language the police may consider it invalid and you may be fined just as if you had been driving with no license at all. If stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation or mechanical malfunction, you will be required to produce your drivers license, automobile registration, and the proof of auto insurance. (Note that you cannot purchase your own auto insurance with an international driver's license, you must have a valid state license.) So it's important that you be covered by the insurance policy on the car...if you are borrowing someone else's car. You must always have all three items while operating a motor vehicle will result in a fine, court appearance, loss of license, or other restrictions depending on the severity of the violation.

So in a nut shell, it is probably better to take a taxi or bus just because it is much simpler than doing all of the above.

I hope you enjoy your visit!

Answer 3

There's no real answer for that. The United States has extrememly different climates and land structures so anywhere you go it will be easier or more difficult depending. Some areas they prebuilt so roads are straight and grid like. Others in areas such as New Englad are curvy and hilly.

Also if you're in a rural area it won't be as bad as rush hour traffic in and around cities.

Answer 4

Well for starters, we drive on the CORRECT side of the road. Driving in America is hours upon hours of endless interstate bliss punctuated by miles and miles of sheer driving terror (like Atlanta or Washington DC). Imagine yourself in an F1 race eight lanes wide going almost full throttle, mere feet behind the car in front of you, all the while trying to read exit signs as they wisk past at 90 mph (this would be the Atlanta metro-interstate loop). The flip side is once you get past the big metro cities you could drive for three hundred miles without stopping if your fuel holds out. The interstate roads also wind through some of the most breathtaking countryside you will ever see with plenty of fuel stations along the way and an excellent sign/information system in place. If you like cars and driving and lots and lots of room, you will love our highways. Come on over!

Answer 5

It depends on where you are going. In larger cities such as New York or Los Angeles I would highly recommend that you not drive and rely on taxis and public transportation. In less crowed areas driving is not so bad. I have been to London and with the exception of a few American cities, it's pretty comparable in some places and easier in others.

Answer 6

I drove from Boston to Canada it was fantastic, bearing in mind it is a straight road. I hired a car but make shore you take out extra insurance because the Americans will sue you for any thing that they could think of.

Answer 7

Mostly the same, but there are some things that can confuse a Brit. For example, Single flashing amber lights. Single flashing red lights. Giving way at crossroads. Turn right on red and all those bloody U turns.
But mostly it's the same.

Answer 8

The drivers here can be much more unruly and inconsiderate than in U.K. Stay in slower lanes. Drunk drivers don't get their driver's licenses taken away from them as quickly here. There are A LOT of drunk drivers here, especially after 5:00 P.M. But, truck drivers are safer here, in my opinion. The U.S. allows MUCH heavier loads on trucks. Remember that they cannot slow down as quickly here. Lock your vehicle everywhere you go, even for a moment. Keep valuables locked out of sight in the trunk.

Answer 9

Different, but they give you a quick run through when you pick up your car & its mostly fairly obvious (never overtake a parked school bus, etc). Look at it this way: thousands of other idiots manage it with no trouble, so why shouldn't you hire a car when you get there ?

Answer 10

I lived for extended periods in both countries. After you get used to driving opposite from what your used to, you will find that the US has better roads, but no roundabouts and much more traffic. Otherwise, its better driving in the US