US Driving

[pbestford]

Hi there,
Does anyone have any tips for a first timer?
This is the third time we've travelled to the US but only the first time we've hired a car.
I'll be driving from Sanford to the Kissimmee area, via a Publix and back again at the end of the holiday
Depending on what the drive down is like I may not be driving anywhere else
Any tips would be great. Also, does anyone know whether you can use your blue disabled badge? Someone on the Disabilities board said that they thought you had to pay a small fee somewhere in Orlando. Does anyone know any more?
Thanks.
Alison
9 days to go

 

[Rain]

It is easier than you think to drive in Orlando!!

I was scared to try for around 8 trips, I decided enough was enough of paying taxi fares all the time and hanging around for buses.

Ten minutes on the roads and I felt ok, even did I-4 without problems after perhaps 10 minutes driving .(went on by mistake)

Just take your time and accept you will get lost especially coming out of the parks.

I had my husband navigating and every time we turned a left corner he would say 'Over to the right' this just acted as a reminder to me.

The strange thing is being able to turn right if the road is clear on a red signal.

Lynda

 

[Olaf]

It's called a "right on red" Rain (that's a tongue twister ), and it's the cause of a lot of accidents. It works great when everyone is acting responsibly, but not so great when people don't stop and look first.

 

[SimonY]

There's lots of useful info. in the Brits Guide Book about driving.

Also try this link:

Orlando Maps Info - UK Drivers Guide

Has detailed instructions for junctions including photos. Also this site has some very detailed maps of the key tourist areas.

Can't answer about disabled badge I'm afraid.

 

[amf]

Hi.....my FIL has a EU disabled badge and is going to Orlando with us in 8 weeks time. I asked for advice elsewhere on this very subject and was advised by people who had been there and done it that their EU disabled badge was recognised everywhere in the Orlando area

I couldn't agree more with those who have said that driving in Florida is actually quite easy.

 

[pbestford]

Thanks to everyone for all the info.
I was beginning to get a little worried about the driving (thanks to my DH - LOL) but I'm getting excited now.
I found the Orlando map site yesterday and bookmarked it for when I can sit down and look at it properly
Alison

 

[BevS97]

my MIL used her blue badge in Orlando with no problems, she was also able to use it at the parks to get parking very close to the entrance which she needed as she can't walk far.

She rented a wheelchair in MK and told me they had wheelchairs you can borrow to get from the carpark to the rental place - I've no idea if you need to know this, but I thought I'd share

And I totally agree - the driving is easy. The getting lost can be frustrating, but you get your bearings quickly enough.

Bev

 

[thefoxes]

it's like " a walk in the park"

 

[Goofyish]

After driving round Leicester it is Andy

 

[thefoxes]

Originally posted by Goofyish
After driving round Leicester it is Andy

very true !

 

[Disneymoon04]

Found this site by accident and thought it may help someone out!

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

 

[AlisonB]

Great site with loads of useful info - thanks!!

 

[edie w]

Alison - it all depends on how confident a driver you are at home, I think.

I find Florida driving easy and very pleasant. The only thing that confuses me are car parks (but they confuse me at home, too) and doing three point turns. I just need that clutch pedal!

My DH says he's too scared. He can't reverse the Left/Right thing in his head (yes I know men are supposed to be better at the whole spatial awareness thing). However, at home he'd rather I drive everywhere anyway so maybe it's just a ploy....

Top tips:

Definitely do get your navigator to prompt you about keeping right on left hand turns. Even if you tell them not to!

Don't turn right on red unless you are double confident the way is clear. So what if the people behind hoot (they probably won't) - they can't see what you can see.

Remember if you miss your turning (you will), you can usually just take the next one and work round in a square.

BTW the drive from Sanford is lovely - not too much traffic and plenty of time to get oriented to driving on the right before you hit the Hwy 192 or I4.

Don't panic!

Have a great trip.