Driving Tips — A British Guide to American Roads

Driving in America: A British Translation

Driving in the US is easier than you think — but there are important differences. The roads are wider, the cars are automatic, and the distances are enormous. Here's what you need to know.

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Right-Hand Driving

The biggest adjustment. You will drive on the right side of the road, sit on the left side of the car, and overtake on the left.

When You're Most Likely to Go Wrong

• Turning onto an empty road — your instinct is to pull into the left lane. Actively think: "stay right"
• Roundabouts (rare in the US, but they exist) — traffic flows anticlockwise
• Car parks — leaving a car park after being stationary often triggers a revert to left-hand instinct
• First thing in the morning — your muscle memory resets overnight. Be extra alert on your first drive each day

Tips

• Follow the car in front. In traffic, it's natural
• Put a small note on the dashboard: "KEEP RIGHT"
• Have your passenger call out "right!" when you turn onto quiet roads
• The indicator stalk is on the left (not the right). You will accidentally turn on the wipers for the first day. Everyone does

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Speed Limits

Speed limits in the US vary by state and road type. They are posted in miles per hour (same as the UK).

• Speed limits are strictly enforced. Police use radar, lidar, and unmarked cars. Small-town speed traps are common
• In most states, going 10+ mph over the limit guarantees a ticket. In some states (Virginia, for example), 20+ over can result in arrest
• Flow of traffic: On interstates, most traffic travels 5–10 mph above the posted limit. Matching traffic flow is generally safer than driving significantly slower

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Traffic Laws

Right Turn on Red

• At a red traffic light, you may turn right after coming to a complete stop — unless a sign says "No Turn on Red"
• Yield to pedestrians and traffic coming from the left
• This is the single most useful American driving rule. Use it

Four-Way Stops

• At intersections with stop signs on all four corners, the first car to arrive goes first
• If two arrive simultaneously, the car on the right goes first
• If facing each other, left-turning traffic yields to straight-through traffic
• These are extremely common in residential areas. Come to a complete stop (rolling stops get tickets)

School Buses

• When a school bus stops and extends its red stop sign, you MUST stop. This applies in both directions on undivided roads
• Do not pass a stopped school bus. Fines are severe ($200–1,000) and cameras are increasingly common

Pedestrian Right of Way

• Pedestrians in crosswalks always have right of way
• In many states, you must stop for pedestrians waiting at an uncontrolled crosswalk (no traffic light)

Mobile Phones

• Handheld phone use while driving is illegal in most states
• Use a dashboard mount for navigation

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Fuel (Gasoline)

Grades

Your hire car almost certainly takes Regular (87). Check the fuel cap sticker.

How to Fill Up

1. Pull up to a pump. Note the pump number
2. Pay at the pump with a card — most pumps accept cards directly. Some require a US ZIP code for card payments; if your UK card is rejected, go inside and tell the cashier the pump number and a dollar amount (e.g., "pump 4, $60 please")
3. Select "Regular"
4. Insert nozzle, squeeze handle. The pump stops automatically when full
5. The price displayed is per US gallon (3.785 litres)

Costs

• US petrol is roughly one-third the price of UK fuel
• Average: $3.00–4.00/gallon (varies by state). California is most expensive (~$5.00+)
• In remote areas (Big Bend, Navajo Nation, Big Sur), prices can be 30–50% higher

Fuel-Up Rule

In rural and western states: never let the tank drop below half. The next station might be 100+ miles away.

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Road Types

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Parking

Types

• Metered street parking: Increasingly paid via apps (ParkMobile, ParkWhiz). Feed the meter or you will be ticketed
• Car parks (parking lots/garages): Flat rate ($10–40/day in cities) or hourly
• Free parking: Common in suburban areas and small towns. Always check signs
• Valet parking: Common at hotels and restaurants. Tip $2–5 when your car is returned

Rules

• Never park in front of a fire hydrant ($100+ ticket)
• Handicap spaces (blue markings) — heavy fines without a valid permit
• Red curb = no stopping. White curb = loading only. Green curb = time-limited
• In San Francisco and other hilly cities: curb your wheels when parking on a hill (turn wheels toward the curb when facing downhill, away when facing uphill). It's the law

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Tolls

• Electronic tolling is increasingly common. Many toll plazas have no cash option — your car is photographed and billed
• Your hire car should have a transponder (E-ZPass in the Northeast, SunPass in Florida, TxTag in Texas). Confirm with the rental company
• Some bridges and tunnels charge significant tolls ($10–20, especially in New York/New Jersey and the Bay Area)
• In the West and South, toll roads are less common

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Emergencies

• Emergency number: 911 (equivalent to 999)
• Roadside assistance: most hire cars include basic cover. Check your rental documents for the number
• If pulled over by police: stay in the car, turn off the engine, keep hands on the wheel, and wait for the officer to approach. Do not get out of the car. This is important
• If your car breaks down on an interstate: pull onto the hard shoulder (right side), turn on hazard lights, and call roadside assistance. Stay in the car if possible

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Quick Reference Card

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