Urgent help needed re car hire please

[1andrea]

My partner has discovered his photocard has expired and now he can't drive.

Its my absolute worst nightmare to drive on the other side of the road but if theres no other option I might have to. The though fills me with so much dread im close to tears.

The licence is getting posted in the morning but it will be second class and the DVLA wont offer any other option for delivery so as we leave Friday at 6am delivery Thursday is looking unlikely.

If I want to add to the car hire insurance it will cost $15 per day.

If I cancel up to 48 hrs in advance there is no penalty.

So my question is are there any car hire companies that dont charge extra for additonal drivers as if his licence does arrive on time he will be driving.

Thank you all xx

 

[scoobydooby2016]

Last time I booked Alamo the second driver was free so you could try that and cancel your current car hire and rebook with them if the offer hasn't changed. I feel for you. I have been refusing to drive in Orlando for 18 years.......

 

[Elise79]

You'll be fine - I didn't want to drive then one day DH made me and now I do 95% of the driving and love it!

As you are sitting on the other side it feels natural after a few minutes being on the other side of the road.

The roads are wider than here too and well signed.

Remember to stop at Stop signs and that you can turn right on red as long as you have stopped first, it's clear and there is no sign saying you can't.

 

[1andrea]

I've been to Florida over 10 times and when I'm in the passenger seat I often do one of those near silent gasps thinkibg we're driving the wrong way when we're not. I also get my left and rights mixed up so I know I will be rubbish at it and very nervous :0(

 

[Woodview]

You will be fine........ Relax

TIP... Turn OFF Radio or CD . ( This is a distraction at any time .... till you are confident )

Tip ..... Keep your distance ........ Hard to do as Florida Drivers seem to think Space is to be Filled

Tip ........ Ask passenger to Stop talking at Critical / busy parts of the road.

Tip......... If you Miss Turn off Exit .... Do Not Panic .... take next one & back onto road going the other way .

Tip........ Be Confident of the Instructions Given by Passenger next to you

As Elsie 79 points out STOP Means STOP ( Not inching forward )

YOU can Turn RIGHT when traffic Lights are RED (Notice Will BE POSTED otherwise )

LAST Point CENTRAL TRAFFIC LIGHTS really ARE in the Middle of the Junction .

 

[Elise79]

I've been to Florida over 10 times and when I'm in the passenger seat I often do one of those near silent gasps thinkibg we're driving the wrong way when we're not. I also get my left and rights mixed up so I know I will be rubbish at it and very nervous :0(

Don't get nervous.

In the US there are very few roads that are two way without a divided highway so the chances of ending up on the wrong side is low. Most roads have multiple lanes and a central median which actually makes it a lot easier.

Not knowing your left and right won't be a problem - just follow the signs.

On leaving the airport head out the south exit as the 417 is a lot quieter than the 528 and I4.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

The first time I drove in the States I was dreading it but within 20 minutes I was fine.
I assume that you have a sat nav so download US maps for it or use your phone, it will make driving on unfamiliar roads so much easier.
The last time we hired a car there was an option to pay a little bit more & we got three extra drivers & free tank of fuel, I can't remember who we used but it was one of the companies that are based in the Dolphin.
I have my fingers crossed that the photo card license arrives in time.

 

[dixonsontour]

Any luck with the licence?

I've never driven in US - over 25 trips.

If you pay for gold which includes fuel usually has free additional drivers

 

[1andrea]

Thank you for all the reassuring messages.

The licence was posted second class Wednesday morning. I'm waiting anxiously for the Postan now to see if its here. It's OH 40th Birthday today so hopefully God will send him a present! xx

 

[1andrea]

We did cancel our car hire and rebook via net flights with Alamo which inc three additional drivers and a full tank of fuel for an extra £4 something per day which was okay :0) xx

But that means now I am driving if the Licence doesnt arrive.....

 

[chmurf]

Mind the MOVE OVER LAW

foreign guests like us tend to not know about that one, and they're cracking down on this


Whenever there is a police, utility or emergency vehicle, with lights flashing, parked on the side of the road (or on the median) you MUST leave at least one lane of traffic free between that vehicle (or median) and your own
If it's not possible you MUST slow down to 20mph below posted speed limit when you pass the flashing lights car.

Failure to do so will result in a heavy fine


Also, when you come upon a School Bus with its lights flashing, and extended stop sign you MUST STOP in either direction (unless the road is divided by a median and you're on the other side of the median)
you can't pass a stopped school bus (lights flashing) in either direction. You must stop, period.


get up to speed with specific driving rules. And you'll be fine


Look at it on the bright side, after all, from the perspective of the american driver, you're already driving on the wrong side of the road

 

[Guyton dis lover]

Good Information. You will be ok. Driving is Driving no matter where you are. On an interstate Highway you must drive no slower than 40 MPH. If a Police car has a car pulled on the side of the road you must pull into the left lane unless you are on a two lane road and then as said before you need to slow down. Watch for speed traps. just about every town and city has its own jurisdiction and allot of these local police can and will write you a ticket. Just watch your signs and your speed. Just because everybody is speeding does not mean you need to move as fast as the car will go. In the U.S. we have selective enforcement. They will and do pull one car to get the others to slow down. GPS is very helpful. Most smartphones ( Mobile Phones) have this app and if not you can rent a GPS with your car at a small extra cost. Some may have them installed. Recently while at Disney world I helped a couple from the U.K. gas up their car before they returned it. Most of the time you will have to prepay ,if you do not have a U.S. credit card. The Gas pumps will take credit cards. They explained that in the U.K. you just pulled up to the pump and started. Not so in the U.S. They were driving a small compact car and the lady ask if I thought 50 dollars would fill the car. I told her that gas (petrol) is much cheaper in the U.S. than in the U.K. Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Wakey]

Driving in States easier than UK. I have driven 30 odd thousand miles in States with no problems whatsoever.
Tips I'd give.
Get a sat navigation or download maps to a free phone app. That will instantly remove stress.
If the light is red and you are turning right, it is give way and you can (and will be expected to) turn right when safe. Rarely there is a sign saying no right turn on red.
If it's your first time in an automatic use your RIGHT foot only. Leave your left firmly planted in the floor. It's dead easy when you have used one for 5 mins.
When you see a road name on the wires across the top of the road, that is the road running across the one you are on, not the one you are on.
At a crossroads with no traffic lights each car takes it in turns to make their manoeuvre. Hardly any roundabouts (or rotaries) and this is in smaller roads only.
Driving in the States is generally a delight compares to here so don't worry. I've driven around 20 States.

 

[SpencerOrg]

I drove last August for the first time and after my first drive from the Airport to our accommodation at 1am local time (6 hour delayed Virgin flight) I really enjoyed it. My wife was the second driver and in the end I did all the driving as I enjoyed it so much.

I have to admit I was very worried in the few days leading up to the trip but by the time we went and I settled behind the wheel it felt very natural. I did spend some time reading the Florida Drivers Handbook http://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-handbook.aspx which was very useful. There was only one time I came across a junction and had no idea what the lights meant but after the car behind me beeped at me I got the idea it was ok to go!

I've written a longer blog post here about ithttp://disneytraveltipsandhints.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/driving.html

I didn't come across any intimidating drivers or people who were angry with the very obvious tourist driving. We did have a Sat-nav but to be honest that was a waste of money as it always wanted us to go down i4 even when there was a better (for us route).

Good luck, enjoy it and have a great holiday.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

Buy a Road Map. I do not live in Fla. We have GPS and we still use the map. Allot of toll roads in and around Orlando. That will move you around the traffic.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I drove last August for the first time and after my first drive from the Airport to our accommodation at 1am local time (6 hour delayed Virgin flight) I really enjoyed it. My wife was the second driver and in the end I did all the driving as I enjoyed it so much.

I have to admit I was very worried in the few days leading up to the trip but by the time we went and I settled behind the wheel it felt very natural. I did spend some time reading the Florida Drivers Handbook http://www.stateofflorida.com/drivers-handbook.aspx which was very useful. There was only one time I came across a junction and had no idea what the lights meant but after the car behind me beeped at me I got the idea it was ok to go!

I've written a longer blog post here about ithttp://disneytraveltipsandhints.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/driving.html

I didn't come across any intimidating drivers or people who were angry with the very obvious tourist driving. We did have a Sat-nav but to be honest that was a waste of money as it always wanted us to go down i4 even when there was a better (for us route).

Good luck, enjoy it and have a great holiday.

I read your Blog and found it was great Information. Your warning on blinding thunderstorms was very good. I am so use to them i did not even think about saying anything in my post about them. Thunderstorms in the South east U.S. can at times become blinding. If you are not use to driving in a storm pull to the right an put on your 4 way emergency flashers until the storm moves away from your area. No big deal. As far as sun Pass. They are great.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

One other thing I would use Disney Transport. Water ,Bus, Monorail, every chance I got. When your at the park and want to park HOP you can use The Disney transport system at no charge. We drive in from Georgia and park our vehicle. We use The Disney Transport system as much as you can. Even if you are not staying on property you can use the transport system. Now if you are in a hurry drive. As far as freedom you can go to Walmart and buy all those Disney T shirts for the folks back home cheap. have a good Time.