Driving in Florida.

Before you set off in an unfamiliar rental car, make sure you check all the systems and know where everything is. Nearly all cars are automatic and have power steering.

Driving - Some Rules that will help you.

Driving is on the right hand side of the road in the USA. Be careful at intersections (junctions), as it's easy to find yourself on the wrong side of the road when turning left or right.
You are allowed to turn right on red providing that the car comes to a complete stop before starting to make the turn. Some inter sections forbid the right turn on red but this will be clearly signposted. In the absence of a sign you are safe to assume right turn on red is allowed.
If you see a school bus (big bright yellow buses) stopped with it's lights flashing you are required to stop immediately and wait for the school bus lights to stop flashing. This applies even if you are on the other side of the road.
Drinking and driving is not allowed under any circumstances and the limits for allowable blood alcohol levels are very low. Our best advice is not to have any alcohol if you are planning on driving. It is also against the law to carry any alcohol in a car - put all alcohol in the trunk (boot) so as to avoid any problems.
Should the police stop you, remain in the car and wait for the police officer to come to you. Under no circumstances get out of the car and try and approach the officer.
If you see another driver indicating for help, do not stop. Instead, drive to the next gas station or public area and call 911 and inform the police of the driver’s location.

Fuel / Gas

Fuel is very cheap in the USA. It is sold by the US Gallon, which is roughly 3.8 litres. All rental cars run on unleaded gas, unless otherwise stated. At many gas stations you will be required to swipe your credit card in the pump before filling your car up. Also it is quite common to have a lever on the pump, which you need to pull up before the gas will flow.

Parking

Before parking your car make sure it is in a designated area as, otherwise, you may be liable for the car being towed away. Do not park in front of a fire hydrant. You will find most of the cars are a lot larger than at home but to compensate for this the car parks have much bigger parking spaces.

Traffic Control Signals

Red

Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line or before moving into the crosswalk or intersection. At most intersections, after stopping, you may turn right on red if the way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO TURN ON RED" sign, which you must obey. Left turns on a red light from a one-way street into a one-way street are also allowed.

Yellow

Stop if you can. The light will soon be red.

Green

Go - but only if the intersection is clear. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection. If turning left, wait for gap in oncoming traffic to complete a turn.

Red Arrow

Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line or before moving into the crosswalk or intersection. After stopping, you may turn right on a red arrow at most intersections if the way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO TURN ON RED" sign, which you must obey. Left turns on a red light from a one-way street into a one-way street are also allowed.

Yellow Arrow

Stop if you can. The light will soon be red. The yellow arrow means the same as the yellow light, but applies only to movement in the direction of the arrow.

Green Arrow

A green arrow, pointing right or left, means you may make a turn in the direction of the arrow. If the red light is burning at the same time, you must be in the proper lane for such a turn and you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection.

Flashing Signals

A flashing red light means the same thing as a stop sign. It is used at dangerous intersections.
A flashing yellow light means you may move forward with caution. It is used at, or just before, dangerous intersections, or to alert you to a warning sign such as a school crossing or sharp curve.

A Few Tips on American Cars

Starting Depress and hold the brake pedal down while turning the key to the "start" position. Engage the starter for 3-4 seconds at a time until the engine starts.

Automatic Transmission

Your car will almost certainly have automatic gears unless you have ordered a specialist car. The gear lever ("gear-shift") will either be mounted by the steering wheel, or between the front seats (console-mount). Console mounted gearshifts include a "thumb button" required to be pressed to allow movement of the lever.

Using Your "Gear Shift"

Most cars normally have 6 gear positions: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), 1 (first gear), and 2 (second gear). The last two gears are designed for use when crossing difficult terrain or climbing steep hills. Drive is the normal driving position, and the gears will automatically adjust as the car changes speed.

Boot (Trunk) Release

If your car is equipped with an interior boot release it may be located on the floor, between the driver's seat and door. Pull the lever to activate the release. Some models have a release button located in the glove compartment, on the dashboard or the driver's door. Some larger grade cars have "automatic" boots that slowly close themselves when you push them shut. Please do not force them!

Hand Brake (Parking Brake) Release

Some cars have a foot operated parking brake located next to the brake pedal. Operate as follows: a release lever or pull-tab may be located on the lower left dash panel. Pull to release. If no release lever is found, press the parking brake pedal a second time to release.

Cruise Control

Many cars are fitted with cruise control and the controls are usually on a lever attached to the steering column. To set the speed that you wish to "cruise" at, turn the cruise control button "ON". Once the desired speed is reached, press the "SET" button. To disengage simply tap the brake pedal or turn the cruise control button "OFF".

Documentation

Don't forget to bring your driving licence and carry it, along with your rental documents in the car at all times.

FAQ’s

I've heard you can turn right when the traffic lights are red - is this true?

You can turn right at the red light as long the road is clear, there isn't a sign that says you can't, and you have come to a complete stop before turning. Try not to be in the right lane at traffic lights if you intend to go straight ahead, as you'll probably get hooted.

How do I make a left turn at a junction?

Never make a left turn at a junction without first giving way to all oncoming traffic. Some intersections have a green arrow signal. Only a green arrow gives you the right of way - a normal green light does not.
What do the street name signs that hang over the road mean?
They indicate the name of the road that you are crossing, not the one on which you are travelling.
What happens at a "4 way stop"?
A "4 way stop" is a junction where no particular direction has priority. All drivers should come to a stop and the driver who got there first has the right of way.
What do those flashing yellow lights that hang over the road mean?
They are usually at a road junction and they mean proceed with caution. If they flash red, it means stop and treat it like a "4 way stop".
What's that lane in the middle of the road with the arrows going left and right?
Many roads without a central reservation have a lane in the middle that allows a driver to enter if they intend to turn left across the other carriageway. Check that the lane is clear and enter the lane using your indicator. Do not use this lane to overtake other vehicles.

Can you overtake on the left and right of other cars?

On most multi lane routes you can overtake on the left and the right. When you want to change lanes, INDICATE and you will find that the vehicle behind will let you in.

What do I do if I am involved in an accident?

Your Rental Agreement states that if you are involved in a road accident, you must remain at the scene and call the Police. If you fail to do this, or are found liable for the accident, your car rental company will cancel your Rental Agreement and are not obliged to supply you with a replacement vehicle.

What’s the deal with the School buses?

Be careful! You are not allowed to overtake a yellow school bus from either direction on a two-way street when it is stationary with flashing red lights

Sensible Precautions When Driving

Seat Belts

All passengers should wear seat belts at all times. Florida law requires seat belts for all front seat passengers, regardless of age. Children up to the age of four are required to be in a safety car seat. Children aged four and five must be in a safety seat or wear a seat belt. California law requires seat belts for all rear passengers as well.

Headlights

Turn on your headlights at dusk, in fog, or in rain (mandatory in Florida). Be especially careful while driving during or after rainfall. Slippery road conditions can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Drink Driving

U.S. Drink Driving laws are stricter than the U.K. best plan is get someone else to drive if you intend having a drink. Please note that a Drink Driving offence would invalidate your car insurance and mean that the rental company may take your car away.

On Your Journey

Try to travel on main roads through well-lit areas if possible. If you need to stop in the hours of darkness it is wise to find a well-lit area to do so. If you find yourself in an area that makes you feel “uncomfortable,” keep your doors and windows locked.

Security

Always lock your vehicle. Lock valuables in the trunk, glove box or luggage compartment so they are out of sight. Secure your valuables: Jewellery, cash, cameras and travel documents in your hotel safe. Only take necessary valuables when travelling.

Toll roads

Keep some cash handy – you may stumble across a toll road, sometimes by accident!
Have a supply of coins and small notes handy. Some of the toll booths are "coin counters" - just throw the right money in the basket. (there will always be attended Booths as well where you can get change.)

Troubleshooting Your American Car

There is liquid dripping from underneath the engine of my car!

If the liquid is clear then it is simply condensation from the air conditioning unit of your car.
The key will not turn in the ignition!
Most cars are equipped with a steering wheel lock mechanism and the key will not turn in the ignition unless the wheel is free. To take the wheel out of the lock position, turn the wheel from right to left while simultaneously turning the ignition key.

My car will not start!

Make sure the gear lever is in the P for PARK position. The car will only start if the gear lever is in this position.

My gear lever won't go into the D for DRIVE position!

Make sure the brake pedal is depressed before shifting from PARK to DRIVE.

My key won't come out of the ignition!

Make sure the gear lever is in the PARK position and the steering wheel is locked. Some cars have a key release button next to the ignition.

The doors keep locking us in after we pull away!

This is an added safety feature on many cars and is perfectly normal. You can normally open all the locks by using the "power locks" lever in the driver's door if fitted to your vehicle.