Tips From Ladies Who Has Driven In Florida

[angel659]

Hiya

I am about to book a car for 3 days for our upcoming trip. My husband has lost his paper part of his drivers licence I am not sure if they overlook that in Florida. If not I will be the one who will have to drive out there.

I feel that I am a pretty confident driver it doesnt bother where I go as long as there are clear instructions or directions where I am going. The problem with Florida its a whole new set of road rules. I am so paranoid about driving on the wrong side of the road etc..

Any tips or experiences please advise.

Thanks
Michelle

 

[Lisa1976]

Hiya

I was extremely worried about the thought of driving in Orlando, but its very very easy, the cars are all automatic which makes driving heaven, the only worrying part is the turning but once you go out a couple of times you will be fine. We had a drive around our hotel car park and very near areas just to get the hang of it, then we drove down to Clearwater from International Drive for a 3 night break so its very easy, plus their roads are very straight forward, not loads of stupid little round abouts and turnings like here in the UK.

When we booked with Airline Network with Dollar, they only wanted to see our card part, never asked to see the paper bit but we always take this in case, I would try to get your husband on with just the card, if they ask to see the paper bit so you forgot to bring it, see what they say.

Hope that helps.

Lisa

 

[Amyrlin]

I agree with lisa, it is very easy to drive over there, also I have never been asked for the paper part of my licence.

 

[angel659]

Hi

I am going to give it a go. We are booking the car with both of us so if he cant drive it at least I know I can. We will be picking it up from WDW Swan so hopefully driving around Disney property first will ease me in to it Lol.

Thanks for your help

 

[kristieuk]

You will be fine! It's so easy driving an automatic, and after a few minutes, you'll feel as though you have always driven on the right. My hardest thing is when I first come home and don't concentrate, it can take me a second or two to remember which side of the road I am supposed to be on, particularly where there are no central white lines!

 

[ely3857]

Both DF & I took both parts of our dl's but dollar only looked at the cards.

I have driven in Orlando twice and have found it very easy. The road signs or very quickly followed by a junction but if you keep a look out and drive steadily you will have no problems.



Jodie

 

[arieliwish]

Just got back (are you sick of me saying that yet??!!) and I do all the driving. The rental company will give you directions and a small but quite good map, however the map I used most this year was in a welcome booklet in our room at the CBR - if you're staying on site you should get one. It was white with the roads in red and was so easy to follow to get around WDW. Then I used the Dollar one for IDrive and the 192. I'm not keen on the I4 and tend to use the 535 and 536 to travel east and north, to Premium outlets, IDrive, Universal, etc. IDrive also gets a bit hectic, and last year we found using Universal Boulevard so much easier (Behind Pointe Orlando, just after the convention centre).

The problem I have coming home is creeping over the white line on the left on the M62, and also slowing down at junctions and traffic lights while still in 5th gear!!! At least this year I didn't tear up the M62 in 2nd gear wondering why the car was making a funny noise!

There's a section in the Brits Guide and on the kissimee-192 site explaining more about driving over there.

Good luck!

 

[jdybnsn]

You will be fine - like alot of things in life - it's the thought of doing it , rather than when you actually get behind the wheel !

I am not the worlds most confident driver, and I managed it. The biggest problem I found, was when I got back to this country.... trying to remember which side of the road I should be on when turning into another road