Tips about Driving in the USA

When you are planning a trip in the USA, you will most likely need to rent a car. It is a large country with so much to see, that first of all, you don’t want to waste your visit staying just at one place and second, even if you do, walking is not always possible. When you visit another country, it is good to be informed on what the driving practices are and important things to know before you get behind the wheel. Here are some useful tips about driving in the USA to help you be prepared for this road adventure!

Tip about driving in the USA #1: Rental info.

When you visit the USA and plan to rent a car, they are a few things you should know. First, it is true that for most states the legal driving age is 16 years old. However, most rental companies, do not allow drivers under 21 to rent a car. Second, not every country’s drivers license are accepted in the USA, and certain rental companies do not accept foreign drivers licenses at all. So make sure you get your International Driver License before leaving for your trip. In most countries you can apply for them at the city or town hall, but you can also ask in any travel agency and they will know where you can get the international drivers license. Finally, you might want to check if your driver’s insurance covers you abroad, otherwise you will need to buy a special insurance through your insurance, or through the rental company. Even if you are a good driver, remember that driving in the USA can be quite different from driving at home, so it is better to be safe than sorry, and be insured. Most states require you to have car insurance anyways and you probably do not want to get in trouble for driving without proper insurance in a foreign country during your vacation, right? Also, when you reserve your car ask the rental what their policy is. Some might not accept foreign insurance, or might require you to show proof of insurance.

Tip about driving in the USA #2: Freeway vs Highway

Definition: A Highway is defined as the main large road that usually links cities to one another. The speed limit is 55 mph, and you can run into stop signs and lights. On the Freeway, on the other hand, you have no intersections nor stops. It’s a road, (or highway) for high-speed traffic – usually limited up to 75 mph. Freeway is a term mostly used on the West coast though, while on the East cost they talk about Interstate Highway. Freeways have more lanes, and you can also find  the car-pool lanes on them. Now, if you never driven in the USA before, this is something to be aware of. Car-pool lanes are reserved to cars who have 2 or more people in them. You can only enter or exit them when the yellow lines are interrupted. Any car entering or exiting the lane by crossing the double line can be fined, as well as when you are alone in the car.

Numbers: When you start driving and looking for directions, you will realize that highways and freeways have numbers. The numbering system is very thought through and can facilitate your driving experience in the USA. Freeways with even numbers go from east to west. The lower numbers are in the South and increase as you move toward the North. For example if you take the 8 E (8 East) you are taking the Interstate 8 driving toward east in south California. Odd numbers are for freeways going South to North and the numbers increase as you go from the West coast to the East Coast ( e.g : I-5 in California, I – 95 in Florida). On maps when you read 3 digits numbers indicating a road, it’s a highway. If it starts with an even number ( such as 405) it usually connects major freeways, when it start with an odd number ( as 705) it usually connect a city to a freeway.

Stops: When you are driving on the freeway, most exits take you to a city or town. If you are used to the freeway rest points and gas stations common in Europe, don’t wait for one. If you want to stop for gas, take a break or find a restaurant, watch for the signs that indicate what the next exit has to offer.

Tip about driving in the USA #3: In Town.

Street names: When you drive in the USA, it is also important to understand how the street system works. The streets are often alphabetically organized one way, and numbered the other crossing way. When you are looking for the street name , at a cross street, the sign with the name facing you, across the intersection, is the street name you will be crossing. When you look for address numbers, they are marked on the buildings or houses, and sometime, mostly in residential areas, you can also find them painted on the side of the sidewalk. If you ask for directions, most people will use the term block. For example they will tell you it’s about 2 block away, or turn right after the second block. Between the first intersection with the road you’re on, and the second one, you pass one block. So blocks are an area of buildings situated between streets in a city. Also keep in mind that in most downtown areas, you find a lot of one way streets. If the first street goes one way, the next one usually goes the other.

Parking: If you drive in the USA, you also need to know the rules about parking. Parking can be tricky. Familiarize yourself with the color codes painted on the side walks for parking zones: Red: don’t stop don’t park, not even the back of your car should be in the red; White: loading zone for passengers; Yellow: commercial loading zone; Blue: reserved for disabled persons; Green: short term parking. Don’t think you can get away with it, they will tow your car, and it will cost you a lot to get it back. Also, make sure you respect the time limit for your parking zone. Even if you “refill” your meter, you are not allowed to park in the same spot longer than indicated. They will mark your tires and write down your license plate, so rather look for another spot. Then once you are parked, make sure your tires are turned the right way. If you park on a hill facing down, your tires should be turn toward the side of the road, and if facing up hill, turn your front tires away from the curb. On a flat street, you should always make sure you parked all your wheels parallel to the curb. If you don’t follow those rules you can get a ticket. Also, make sure to read the signs on the street where you park. Street cleaning is organized on different days and times, and parking on one side of the street is forbidden on those days. You will receive a ticket or be towed if you do not respect this.

For some people, these rules seem over the top and may be a little harsh, but remember that you are in a foreign country and to stay out of trouble, you should follow those rules. Remember to not talk on the phone, fasten your seat belt and have the regulated car seats for your children! Have a safe drive.

Driving Rules in the US

Stop signs are international… but before you get behind the wheel in the land of big cars and large roads, you should know all about driving rules in the US? Even though some traffic rules are the same as in other countries, here is a list of must-know rules you should be aware of before getting behind a wheel in the US.

Turning on a red light
In the United States, people are always in a hurry, so instead of wasting people’s time they got the great idea to not let people wait at the light when they don’t need to! So here is what you need to know: If you are turning right at a stop light, you can actually turn even tough the light is red. The red light in that case is like a stop sign. But be careful, you must make sure no one is coming from your left side nor in front of you turning left (for them), and of course don’t forget people crossing – they have the right of way!! Also you need to make sure it no sign forbids you to turn on red. The same is true for turning left from a one-way street into a one-way street.

Stop Signs in the US
If you come from Europe you are used to traffic circles…. well, they are not very common here in the US! So what are the traffic rules, when 3 or 4 roads cross? It is really simple. The first car that arrives goes first! You will ask then, ok what if we arrive at the same time? Then the car to your right has priority. You will be impressed how well educated American drivers are! But when you approach an intersection, remember to look for cars coming from the left as well!

Passing  on the Left Lane on the Freeway
Unfortunately for foreigners, not every state has the same rules when it comes to passing other cars on the freeway. Certain states allow you to pass cars on either side – left or right- to your convenience ( such as California). Other forbid passing on the right. As to the left lane, certain states do not allow slower traffic on the let lane and reserve it for passing. The  State “Keep Right” Laws link gives you a full description of which state allows what.

Emergency Vehicles
If you hear sirens and see light flashing, do you know what you should do? The traffic rule in the US is to yield to the right and let them pass, where ever you are. Traffic must stop to let them pass. Just stay out of their way. Every one will get back on the road and keep going once they are passed.

Phones
When you are stuck in traffic or on your way somewhere, it often seems the best time to make a call. Well not really. Most states have banned cell phone use in the car, unless a hands free system is used. But of course here again, they are not making it easy for you drivers, and kept it a federal law, so not all states have the same rules. Cell Phone Driving Laws gives you in detail per state the rules and regulation concerning this topic. Oh! By the way, this include text messaging as well!

School Buses

You probably know the famous yellow school buses from American movies. These school buses have special rights on the streets to ensure the safety of the children on board. When a school bus stops, it will flash red lights and extend a small stop sign! This means, you have to stop behind the bus and cannot pass. The same is true for oncoming traffic, unless the road is divided.

Okay, now you are all set to hit the road with your rental car in the US. Open you eyes for red lights non turning sign, don’t be in a hurry at the stop sign, and keep you ears open for sirens. And if you can wait for that so important phone calls remember someone might be passing that same car you’re passing from the right!
Have a safe drive.

PS: Certain countries offer you the possibility to get an international driver license. It might help you rent a car more easily and help you with insurance. Check with your town hall or Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to get gas in the US?

That might sounds like a silly question to any American driver, however, not ever country proceed the same way as to how to get gas into your car.

Pay first!
While you might be used to just park your car next to the gas pumps, open your gas tank and pour the gas until the pump reaches the amount you want to pay, and then sit in line to pay… the way Americans do it is a little different…They pay first!

You will tell me, but how do they know how much to pay? As a foreigner myself, this is what I thought too. So you can read the car manual and figure out how many gallons you car holds and then do some math to calculate how much it would cost you for x gallons. Or you can try to put in a minimum and see how long it will last and figure it out over time… prices keep changing anyways! And don’t worry if you pay too much, you can always go back to the cashier and get your change back. One fact to keep in mind as well is that most gas stations do not impose a certain direction of entering as the tank can be on either side of the vehicle. However, on most gas stations, the hose is long enough to reach the tank, even if your car faces the wrong way.

So step by step to get gas at a gas station in the US:
Park and turn off your car. Go to the cashier or the automatic credit card payment machine directly on the gas pump. You might be asked to pay an extra charge for paying with credit card over cash and most gas stations do not accept foreign credits cards at the pay machine of the gas pump. The easiest way is to go inside and pay the cashier either in cash or with your credit card. Once you are back to your car select the fuel your car needs (rental cars usually have a sticker on the tank cap, which one to use) by pressing the button with the gas selected. At some gas stations, you will have to lift the holder of the nozzle to start the pump. Then you can pump gas by holding the trigger until the pump stops automatically. If it ends up costing you less than you prepaid, go get your change, get in your car and leave.

Be aware!
New Jersey and Oregon on the other hand have banned self serving gas stations. For safety reasons, laws had been passed to assure that only trained persons could handle such a flammable liquid. Economic reasons are also mentioned; those states kept the gas pumpers to save jobs. And finally welfare reasons are suggested:  disable and elderly person needs the assistance. In those states, just park your car and wait to be served! However, a small tip is appropriate, as most of the time, they will also clean your windows and check your oil.

Now you are ready to get gas at an American gas station! Have a safe drive and enjoy your trip!

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Driving rules in the US