subject: Car Rental And Travel Guide For The Usa [print this page] Driving in the USA is easy and comfortable; most rental cars have air conditioning for when the weather gets hot! Driving is, of course, on the right hand side of the road, the roads are, for the most part modern and well maintained. They are usually well marked and signposted, with plenty of stopping places for you to stretch your legs, get something to eat and drink, buy a souvenir, or even stay the night! All without having to get off the main highways.
Turnpikes, Interstates, expressways, and Toll roads are controlled access highways that are roughly equivalent to UK Motorways, German Autobahns, and French Autoroutes.
In most US states there is a system of 'Right Filter' lights at many traffic light intersections - this means that even if the light is red, you can turn right (after making sure that there is no traffic coming, of course!). This keeps vehicles moving so that queues don't get so long. Remember, though, some intersections do not have this 'right filter' so always check before you turn. The restriction will be indicated with a 'no turn on red' sign next to the light signal.
One thing to be aware of in the States is that speed limits are strictly enforced! The speed limit for each road is well posted with a combination of law enforcement officers and speed cameras to make sure it is adhered to. There are yellow signs to mark where the camera zones are so that drivers are fairly warned and reminded to check their speed.
Most driving licenses are accepted in the States as long as they are not in 'character', that is, as long as they are printed in English or have English translations. You must have held a full driving license for at least a year and be twenty-one or over. In most states there are a surcharge payable for drivers who are over twenty-one and under twenty-five, so always read carefully the Options Available on your car rental quote.
In the US people normally eat earlier than in Europe, before eight-thirty pm mostly so the restaurant chains typically close around ten to ten-thirty pm. Most are very family-oriented and children of all ages are welcome. Tipping is part and parcel of the American lifestyle; you would be expected to tip approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the total bill to your server. This is not the case in cafeterias where you serve yourself. The same percentage is also usual for cab (taxi) drivers. Hotel porters are usually tipped around one dollar per bag carried. You should also tip the doorman in relation to any service he performs. The cleaning crew is not usually tipped unless your stay is several days or more. Desk clerks are not usually tipped, either.
At the airports, Skycaps (Porters) would expect one dollar per bag as would the Curbside Check-In staff. These people are generally paid very low basic wages, which they make up out of tips, hence the helpfulness!
by: Terry Mickelson
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
