Driving in Florida

[florida-again]

I'm thinking of hiring a car in Florida. I'm very apprehsive though for many reasons. I'm nervous about driving on the other side of the road, driving an automatic (when I'm used to manual) and other dangerous drivers. Generally, driving in the UK, I'm not a nervous driver, but I'm really worried about driving in Florida for the first time.

If you have driven in Florida, what was it like, particularly the first time? Any advice you could give me?

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I found it very easy the first time I drove in Florida. It felt very natural - maybe because the steering wheel is on the left. Automatics are great to drive too - it's when you come home you get mixed up and forget you need to use a clutch!

There are loads of tips here about first time driving in Florida

http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

I think I've only ever driven up the wrong side of the road once - it was 7am, coming off the I-4 at junction for Universal, so luckily it was very quiet!!!

 

[Mr-D]

From memory when I first did it I had the same nightmares. You do soon get used to it, I think the visual picture of driving on the other side is far worse than the actual practicality of it, purely because it's alien to us. For the first couple of days I actually avoided crossing over the road if I could until I was sure I had got the hang of which way the traffic was going.

As for the automatic, easy for me now because I have one at home. Is it possible you could try a friends automatic on some spare ground somewhere ( if your'e anywhere near me Lancashire you can try mine) , or even hire one for a day to give you confidence. It really is very easy to get the hang of, all you have to do is remember to keep one of your feet tied to the seat so you don't try and use both pedals at the same time.


D

 

[sue&and]

After an apprehensive start my DH openly admitted he loved it and it was a joy. Wide roads and very easy to get used to.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Have driven in Florida many times, and whilst I do believe driving standards have declined over the years it is much easier than driving in the UK.
Automatic cars are easier to drive than manuals it is just a matter of experience and getting used to the slight differences.

I find the hardest thing is navigating and knowing where we are going, but then again I am hopeless at that anyway.
My wife however is very good so we are generally fine.

I am sure you will be okay, everyone takes a wrong turning now and again it's just the way it is.
There are so many advantages in hiring a car and certainly we would be lost without one, do not worry about it.
Make sure you get the car hire company to fully explain the controls of the vehicle and take your time at first, I am sure you will quickly become more confident.
Make sure you have someone who can take responsbility for the directions/looking after the maps etc, this way you can concentrate on your driving.

 

[alanjones]

If you can drive in the UK, you can deffinately drive in the states. Automatics are much easier to drive than a manual, and so long as you remember the basics such as keeping your foot on the brake when stopped at lights etc, you'll be fine with an Auto.

Driving on the 'other side' is no big deal. Its rare you'll be on a road that isn't a dual carriageway to be honest. At first it feels like you are sat way over to the left hand side of the car, but the lanes are so wide over there, just line your self up with the centre line closest to you and don't worry about the other side of the car. After a couple of days doing that, you'll feel comfortable about positioning in the lanes.

Driving standards are much better out there in my opinion. Everything is just that bit more relaxed. Other drivers always seem to 'let you in' if you want to change lanes, and because everyone has autos, no one seems to be in as much of a rush as they do on British roads.

If you are really that nervous about it, try to fly to Sanford rather than Orlando Intl. The roads by Sanford are a lot quieter, and you'll have the ever-quiet Expressway to use to get down to I-Drive. Coming out of Intl, which is what I had to do, is quite daunting as it is a maze of roads, but I had no trouble and quickly found the Beeline Expressway. Even though you may need to pay some tolls, it will be much easier if you stick to the Expressways coming out of either Airport. We actually got straight off the Expressway and on to Sand Lake Road, as it was a 'straighter drive' to our hotel (on th corner of Sand Lake and I-Drive), and even that road, depsite loads of traffic lights, was very easy to drive along and quite stress-free even for a first timer.

 

[arieliwish]

I drove on our first visit last year and it was fine - I was getting the hang of it by the end our our first day. I found the automatic car over there easier to drive than one over here, as you'r not trying to change gear with your left hand, so I got used to it quickly. I found the speeds slower and even managed the I4 once I'd got used to some lanes turning into slip roads.

I never used to drive anywhere but DH suffered a stroke 18 months ago so its all down to me now. Just remember the road names and where you want to be heading for and you'll be ok.

My family are used to the 'scenic' detours around hotel/supermarket car parks!!!

 

[Mr-D]

My family are used to the 'scenic' detours around hotel/supermarket car parks!!!

Thats all part of the fun

D

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I loved driving there so much that after my first visit, I set my heart on an Automatic....it was only the poor performance of the Auto models in this country compared to their manual counterparts that put me off. Fortunately, modern auto gearboxes now dont tend to be much different. My Mazda has the same performance figures as the manual version. Wouldnt go back to manual now, theres just no need to be chaning gear myself.

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Ditto - to everyone else...
My DH has driven all over the world and he loves driving in the US and Orlando is about the easiest place in America to drive.

The only time it gets a little confusing is when you do our equivalent of our right hand turn (their left hand turn) as you can sometimes end up on the wrong side of the road (top tip...follow another driver). Also it’s a little strange to be overtaken on both sides and the traffic lights are suspended really high on wires at cross-roads so keep an eye out for them but all-in-all it’s a doddle.

Last time we went to the US, I was a named driver (and as DH had, had a few drinks on the plane...I decided to drive) so when I picked the car up I asked the attendant at Dollar to help show me the car and he spent about 20min going through the controls and even sat in while I had a drive around the car park (virtually a free driving lesson).

So don't panic...There are no small villages, busy city centres, mini’s towing caravans or speed cameras (except the police) like here, the roads are huge and as the speed limit is lower than ours nothing seems that rushed, ok the freeway (Motorway) can seen busy at rush-hour.

Top tips: if you drive always have a supply of $1 & ¼’s for tolls and if you take the car to one of the parks put something distinctive in the windscreen (i.e. colourful sun visor – we have a Wallace & Grommet one) and write down where you parked as speaking from experience if you stay till closing, when your tired from a day at WDW it can be hard trying to remember where you parked and as most cars look the same, you can spend nearly an hour ( I know) trying to find it...lol...but it all adds to the memories...DH shouting at me...me shouting at DH, nearly in tears from exhaustion...the we find it and laugh all the way back to the hotel...and years later tell the world about it .

Enjoy
Jue

 

[musketeer]

I too had the same fears but i really didn't have to worry, it seems to be so much more relaxed out there the only thing that was a little worrying was trying to find out which road we should take as we weren't sure for the first couple of days but this soon passed as we got used to it, i'm hopeless at directions, good job my husband knew which direction to go.