Driving in the US

Driving in the US

Driving in the US is pretty straightforward (unless you’re in reverse ! ha ha) drivers are generally patient and polite, just need to remember a few differences

The biggest one is the Americans drive on the wrong side of the road, which is the right.

Driving Licences

You are OK driving in the US with a UK driving licence, remember to take this with you (both the paper and card versions, you probably won’t need the paper one but I always take mine just in case)   

Car Hire & Car Insurance

I always buy the Gold Package with Alamo car hire, it includes everything I need, check with your hire company as to what insurance you have included.  If you need extra insurance you can buy in the UK, there are companies specialising in this business, just Google car hire excess insurance.  I’ve found it cheaper than prices charged by car hire companies.  Ask if you need to carry insurance documents in the car.

A Road is a Road (right?)

Yes but in the US there are several different words you will come across.

• Freeway    Large road like UK motorways connecting major cities across states
• Interstate     Same as Freeway but may have tolls (odd numbers are North South even numbers are East/West)
• Turnpike    Toll road
• Expressway    Motorway
• Highway    State roads smaller than Freeway, may have tolls
• Route        Know in the UK as A roads

Words...not all mean the same

Crosswalk         (Pedestrian crossing)

Gas             (petrol...beware a US gallon is smaller than a UK gallon, it’s about 3/4’s of a UK gallon about 6 pints)

Grade             (hill)

Hood             (bonnet)

Intersection         (junction)

Median          (central reserve on a dual carriageway)

On /Offramp        (sliproad)

Parkway         (not for parking it’s a road)

Pavement         (the road)

Regular Gas         (unleaded)

Rest Area         (toilets or a rest area usually not like a motorway service area, no shops)

Restrooms         (toilet, bathroom)

Rotary            (roundabout...rare)

Semi            (articulated lorry)

Shoulder        (hard shoulder)

SUV            (sports utility...4 wheel drive...kind of)

Sedan            (saloon car)

Sidewalk         (pavement)

Station Wagon    (estate car)   

Trunk            (boot)

Stick Shift        (manual gearbox)

Undivided Highway    (single carriageway)

Van            (people carrier)

Yield             (give way)

   

Gas Stations

Gas stations are pre-pay, you can either use a credit card in the pump or pay cash or card at the kiosk.

Differences at intersections (junctions)

1.  Traffic Lights

The US system of traffic lights at intersections is different from the UK.

At most traffic lights you can turn right when lights are on red, treat as a Yield (give way) exception to this is when the sign says No Right Turn On Red...that means No Right Turn On Red.  

Traffic light sequence is Red-Green-Yellow-Red.  There is no Red/Amber

2.  2/3/4 way stop

A 2/3/4 way stop sign means you must stop at the intersection and yield to the car already there, each car takes it in turn to move.  These types of intersections are in neighbourhoods, main thing to remember is no one has the right of way. It’s a bit odd at first but very civilised.

Speed.

Beware of the speed limits on major roads, you don’t see the number of speed cameras you see in the UK, but I stick to the speed limits, many around me (especially on the Interstates and Freeways) don’t.  Speed on major roads varies alot from 55-65.

Roads through towns are 20-30 but check the signs.

Overtaking

In the US you can overtake or undertake, the system works well but watch both sides of the car.

Onramp (slip roads)

Some onramps are traffic light controlled during rush hour, you probably won’t see these but don’t be phased by them if you do come across one, they are there to slow down traffic entering major roads.

Switching lanes

I have found switching lanes is not like in the UK (indicate and someone gives way, you move)...it’s similar but don’t be surprised when you indicate and no one gives way.  You just have to find the gap and go for it...still indicate.

School Buses

You must stop, no matter which side of the road you are on, if a school bus has it’s red flashers on there will also be stop sign on the drivers side.  You will get some warning as the yellow hazard lights come on first.  You must leave plenty of room between you and the bus.  You cannot move until both the red and yellow flashers are off AND the stop sign has been retracted.

Emergency Vehicles

You must stop and pullover, no matter which side of the road you are on (single carriageways).  If busy and you have no room to pull over you still need to stop.

Alcohol

Don’t drink and drive

Carrying alcohol is allowed as long as it’s not opened, no open cans/bottles etc allowed in the car, even the trunk (boot).

Parking

If parking in the road you must park in the direction of traffic, or you will get a ticket.

Maps

I have US maps on my Tom Tom, but I still manage to take wrong turnings.

Plan your journey, there are lots of interactive maps online that will give you directions so use them.  Hire a sat nav if you can afford it.  Get a decent road map of the area, and have some to navigate.

Off/Onramp numbering

Junction numbers started off like they are in the UK, it was the sequence Junction 10 was the 10th junction, but there have been some changes.  You may now see offramps and on ramps with numbers in the hundreds, this indicates the miles.  Miles from where I don’t know, just be aware of the different ways of numbering, the numbers on maps and sat navs are as they are on the roads.

Road naming in towns and cities

When you come to an intersection (road junction) there will usually be a road name suspended in front of you over the intersection.  The road sign going left/right is not the road you are travelling on it’s the road you turn into if you were going left or right.  (just a small point but it confuses me)

Traffic Lights

Stop lights (red)

In the local area, some stop lights will flash a bright white strobe light along with the red light during the hours of darkness.  It’s there as extra warning the lights are on stop, and to give you an epileptic fit!

Flashing Traffic Lights.

Red            You may see this at night when the traffic is less busy, treat this as a stop sign, if turning left give way to on coming traffic

Amber            Proceed with caution

Pedestrians

When at an intersection, if there are pedestrians crossing they have the right of way even if the light is green.

As a rule of thumb remember

Pedestrians always have the right of way

There’s a lot there, but don’t let it phase you...I enjoy driving in the US...it’s good fun, after the first couple of days!!