Getting used to driving in America

If you're planning on heading to America for your next big vacation, it's worth doing some research first. This is especially true if you want to opt for car hire. USA road trips are the stuff dreams are made of, but they won't be much fun if you haven't prepared for the driving ahead of time. There are so many differences between driving in the UK and driving in America that planning is crucial. Here, we'll look at some of the main differences; giving you a helping hand in your preparation.

Americans drive on the left-hand side

Where Britons stick to the right-hand side of the road, Americans drive on the left-hand side. This is more disconcerting than it sounds and can take some time to get used to. Unfortunately, this isn't something you can really prepare for (unless you have a private piece of land upon which you can mark out a practice route) but if you're at least aware of it ahead of time, then you won't get a shock when you turn up in New York, Las Vegas or wherever you are heading.

Most cars have automatic gears

In America; few cars have manual stick gearboxes. Instead, cars are usually equipped with automatic gears; something which some find easy, others not so much. It can be strange getting used to only moving the gears up and down, rather than up, down, left and right. You could try renting an automatic car in the UK prior to your trip, giving you a chance to get used to it - or, one of your friends or family members might have an automatic car they could insure you on for the day. Even getting in a half day or day's worth of practice could help you out.

The USA's roads are very spacious

This is something that could actually benefit you when driving in America for the first time. The roads are wide and spacious, giving you more room in which to relax. In Britain, most roads are fairly narrow; some nigh on impossible. This isn't true in the States, but it doesn't mean you can become complacent; it's simply something different to get used to.

Many terms are different

Many of the terms we're used to using in the UK are different in the US. For example, where we would say 'give way' in the UK, the Americans unusually say 'yield'. Our 'unleaded' petrol is 'regular' in America, whilst their 'highway' is our 'motorway'. What's more, American residents refer to roundabouts as a 'rotary', traffic lights as 'signals' and estate cars as 'station wagons'. You should also keep an eye out for the 'commuter lane', a special lane designed to house traffic going in different directions at different points throughout the day. If you get into trouble, look out for a 'cruiser' - the American term for a police patrol vehicle.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the driving differences between Britain and America, but it should give you a brief indication of just how different it is. Why not read up some more prior to your trip? You'll be glad you did when faced with your first American drive. 

Max Pricer is a keen traveller who frequently takes trips, both for business and pleasure. He now writes travel related blogs in his spare time as well as walking his dogs and looking after his baby daughter.