driving in the states
Jul 16th 2007, 3:58 pm
#1
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
driving in the states
Hi all previous thread's reply was brilliant 
Also as i am holidaying soon in the states i'm going to have to hire a car, any tips or advice would be valuable, like is the U.K licence valid to drive or hire a car, also as it will be first time ever in the state's is driving alot different than that in the u.k. I know that they drive on the right and steering on the left. Would i have to take some sort of driving lessons to get familiar with driving on the roads there!
Also as i am holidaying soon in the states i'm going to have to hire a car, any tips or advice would be valuable, like is the U.K licence valid to drive or hire a car, also as it will be first time ever in the state's is driving alot different than that in the u.k. I know that they drive on the right and steering on the left. Would i have to take some sort of driving lessons to get familiar with driving on the roads there!
Jul 16th 2007, 4:14 pm
#2
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: driving in the states
Driving here is a little different. It can get violent, usually because two drivers pull up to a light and get into an argument, each insisting that the other go first. Or some have a habit of stopping on the highway (in traffic!
) in order to let someone on ahead of them. Turn indicators are always used, sometimes backed up with hand gestures. You'll get the hang of it within a few days I'm sure!
) in order to let someone on ahead of them. Turn indicators are always used, sometimes backed up with hand gestures. You'll get the hang of it within a few days I'm sure!
Jul 16th 2007, 4:17 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: driving in the states
Driving here is a little different. It can get violent, usually because two drivers pull up to a light and get into an argument, each insisting that the other go first. Or some have a habit of stopping on the highway (in traffic!) in order to let someone on ahead of them. Turn indicators are always used, sometimes backed up with hand gestures. You'll get the hang of it within a few days I'm sure!
) in order to let someone on ahead of them. Turn indicators are always used, sometimes backed up with hand gestures. You'll get the hang of it within a few days I'm sure!
stop telling fibs.
Jul 16th 2007, 4:20 pm
#4
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: driving in the states
What?
Is it not like that in VA?
Is it not like that in VA?
Jul 16th 2007, 5:06 pm
#5
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: driving in the states
Use your UK license, you'll be fine....the roads are massive and you'd have to be a real shocker of a driver to have any issues driving here...but get good directions because sign posts are shite.
Jul 16th 2007, 5:15 pm
#6
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: driving in the states
In New England:
1. Old, cracked pavement, insane freeway entries and exits, bizarre one-way streets.
2. Crazy drivers. Not simply bad drivers, I’m talking batshit "I'm backing out of this tollbooth and you can't stop me" insane. Also, they have the patience of a teenager on his first date and the aggression of your average cage fighter.
3. Beautiful backroads marred by old guys in Buicks or tourists in RVs the size of a house going 32 MPH.
In Midwest:
1. Endless, straight-as-a-ruler roads. People go about 60 MPH despite the fact that you could conceivably go 200 before it gets dangerous.
2. Horrendous traffic volume in the Chicago area because the road system was designed for 1960s volume. This traffic consists entirely of soccer moms in Honda Odysseys, dear old Dads in BMW 3 series and backwards baseball-cap kids in EVOs or WRXs.
3. People are just too calm and too slow to react. You’ll wait five seconds after the light turns green for people to friggen MOVE IT! Four way stop? Nobody’s moving for the next era. You first! No, I insist, you first! Oh, no, no, no, you first! (repeat ad nauseum).
In California:
1. Mindboggling traffic volume, even at midnight on a Sunday. People drive to the end of their driveway. Walking is seen as a sure sign of insanity.
2. Traffic jams consisting entirely of 18 year old kids in 85 Honda Civics with $100,000 of entirely cosmetic “upgrades”.
3. Turn signals are a sign of weakness. Consideration for other drivers gets in the way of burger-munching time.
In Florida
1. Sort of like driving amongst zombies: most people seem to be at least 90 years old and consider 28MPH to be “lickety-split” type daring.
2. Traffic jams consisting entirely of Columbian “businessmen” millionaires in Ferraris on South Beach.
3. In darkest interior Florida, men with suspiciously small skulls and suspiciously big ears tailgate you in 1982 Ford F-350 “duellies” with a Confederate flag plastered to the grill.
1. Old, cracked pavement, insane freeway entries and exits, bizarre one-way streets.
2. Crazy drivers. Not simply bad drivers, I’m talking batshit "I'm backing out of this tollbooth and you can't stop me" insane. Also, they have the patience of a teenager on his first date and the aggression of your average cage fighter.
3. Beautiful backroads marred by old guys in Buicks or tourists in RVs the size of a house going 32 MPH.
In Midwest:
1. Endless, straight-as-a-ruler roads. People go about 60 MPH despite the fact that you could conceivably go 200 before it gets dangerous.
2. Horrendous traffic volume in the Chicago area because the road system was designed for 1960s volume. This traffic consists entirely of soccer moms in Honda Odysseys, dear old Dads in BMW 3 series and backwards baseball-cap kids in EVOs or WRXs.
3. People are just too calm and too slow to react. You’ll wait five seconds after the light turns green for people to friggen MOVE IT! Four way stop? Nobody’s moving for the next era. You first! No, I insist, you first! Oh, no, no, no, you first! (repeat ad nauseum).
In California:
1. Mindboggling traffic volume, even at midnight on a Sunday. People drive to the end of their driveway. Walking is seen as a sure sign of insanity.
2. Traffic jams consisting entirely of 18 year old kids in 85 Honda Civics with $100,000 of entirely cosmetic “upgrades”.
3. Turn signals are a sign of weakness. Consideration for other drivers gets in the way of burger-munching time.
In Florida
1. Sort of like driving amongst zombies: most people seem to be at least 90 years old and consider 28MPH to be “lickety-split” type daring.
2. Traffic jams consisting entirely of Columbian “businessmen” millionaires in Ferraris on South Beach.
3. In darkest interior Florida, men with suspiciously small skulls and suspiciously big ears tailgate you in 1982 Ford F-350 “duellies” with a Confederate flag plastered to the grill.
Jul 16th 2007, 5:24 pm
#7
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: driving in the states
Left side - right side doesn't really phase you, with the exception of turns at an intersection. You're familiar with looking right, left, right to see oncoming cars, but here you need to switch it up as the cars coming from the left will probably be the ones to hit you.
It's really not a big deal, until you do a somewhat odd turn, say one where you start the turn, then have to stop for a second light, and then go again and you're habit is to look one way (while the car that slams into you is coming from the other).
But generally you'll have fun.
If you are going to rent a car, get out of the cities and really explore. The roads are wide and in some parts away from the cities, pretty empty. There is a legendary road trip out Route 66 from Chicago to California that many Americans have taken. It bypasses the big Interstates and goes through more small towns, good and bad.
http://www.historic66.com/
It's really not a big deal, until you do a somewhat odd turn, say one where you start the turn, then have to stop for a second light, and then go again and you're habit is to look one way (while the car that slams into you is coming from the other).
But generally you'll have fun.
If you are going to rent a car, get out of the cities and really explore. The roads are wide and in some parts away from the cities, pretty empty. There is a legendary road trip out Route 66 from Chicago to California that many Americans have taken. It bypasses the big Interstates and goes through more small towns, good and bad.
http://www.historic66.com/
Jul 16th 2007, 5:39 pm
#8
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: driving in the states
I expect its 2 weeks in Orlando ....
My tip ... do not make any hand gestures at other drivers
in Florida
My tip ... do not make any hand gestures at other drivers
in Florida
Jul 16th 2007, 6:08 pm
#9
Just Joined
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
Re: driving in the states
Nice tips guys, but as i am renting a car does the hire company do a introductory lesson for international drivers just to get the feel of the car and the roads, or is there such a way as to take say a couple of lessons so that i get comfortable.
Jul 16th 2007, 6:12 pm
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: driving in the states
I dont think they even do them over here,there test is about 10 minutes long, you'll be in your own class mate.
Last edited by britvic; Jul 16th 2007 at 6:15 pm.
Jul 16th 2007, 6:22 pm
#12
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: driving in the states
Ha ... you get a set of key ..and told what bay number the car is parked in the car park... where are you going ..???
Jul 16th 2007, 6:23 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
just keep your eye on the other F**ker's
Jul 16th 2007, 6:31 pm
#14
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Re: driving in the states
By the way i'll more than likely go stay in Seattle what is Seattle like any members living there??
britvic wat u mean bro when you say the F****rs??
britvic wat u mean bro when you say the F****rs??
Jul 16th 2007, 6:34 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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