soundtrane Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hello, I am making firm plans to visit the USA for the second time - first to NAB and then a free-flowing time to go to many places and meet many people. I can get an International Driving License from India - which is valid in most countries including the USA. It is just a thought in my head - if i could rent a car and do some long, long drives across the beautiful country. One thing - i am NOT used to driving on the right side of the road, and cars that have their driver seat on the left side. Should i need to take a driving lesson or two out there before venturing to rent a car and drive out? Is this actually possible - to get a driving lesson for this specific purpose, apart from understanding road signs etc (which I am sure i can do by myself). I seek some advice in this matter from all the experts out here. Of course, it would be great if there were two of us instead of me alone. I will get to that only after i figure out a way with what i have written above... -vin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 You'll be fine, all us lefties have to go a bit careful to start with but the brain soon adjusts, apart from the twitching that is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 You should have no troubles, we drive just fine in countries that drive on the wrong side of the road Plus, if you drive a car in India and survive, you should be OK in North America Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Watch the other cars and follow them. Haha If you need a lawyer when you will drive in the wrong side; give a call to Jeff Hahaha Definitely I want to be a passenger on this car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I wouldn't worry about it, I find it pretty easy to drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, in fact it takes me longer to get used to driving on the right side when I get home than it did to get used to driving on the wrong side when I'm away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I went to the UK and made the adjustment in a couple of minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 The tougher part will be figuring out which rules of the road to follow and which ones to ignore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarcanon Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Driving in the US will be much easier than in any other country I've driven in. Switching sides just requires a little more focus. Actually, the roundabouts common in the U.K. gave me more trouble than the side-of-the-road issue. The difficulty comes when you need to make instantaneous decisions where you rely more on instinct than on your conscious mind. This used to pose a problem for me when driving in rural U.K. where the 'B' roads are frequently single lane and often tightly closed in on both sides by hedges or walls I.e., no shoulder). When I see an oncoming car just round the bend I automatically pull to the right until I remember where I am. This always elicits a bemused expression from the other driver. I am tempted to make up a quick sign I can flash that says, "Sorry, I'm an American". You'll also be quite pleased to see how much less petrol prices are here than the rest of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze Frias Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Plus, if you drive a car in India and survive, you should be OK in North America This. Like others have mentioned, you should be fine. It should only take you a short bit to get adjusted. I'll be at NAB this year. Looking forward to meeting you in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 The biggest issue is that the car is on the other side, so when you're on the rare small road in the US, or passing a cyclist, be very careful to allow a little more room. I would advise renting a smaller car. They'll most likely be automatic anyway, but it'd be a good idea to at least take that bit out of the equation. The roads are bigger and wider than most countries, and people more or less drive within the lanes. People will pass you on either side, but that's common just about everywhere except here in the UK. The other thing you need to worry about is when you are turning left or right onto an unoccupied road, it's easy to turn onto the wrong side. Same for looking the wrong way before turning. The biggest mistake I made here in the UK is that since you allowed to park facing the wrong way, I pulled out of the parking space onto the right side of the road and stayed there until I saw a car coming the other way. Yikes!! Just concentrate, and you'll be fine. A lesson won't really do you any good. Have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solid Goldberger Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 You'll be fine--though I think you'd have a much easier time starting your driving by renting in Las Vegas than in LA, SF, or NY (if those were places you were considering visiting). It also would likely be the cheapest. I would search on Kayak.com for your rental. The good thing about rental cars in this country (not sure if its the same everywhere), is most companies let you book without having to pay up front, so if you find a better deal or change your plans you can cancel without any penalty. Don't give them a credit card up front unless its a REALLY good deal. Also, I disagree with Robert, rent the biggest convertible you can find. Gas is cheap and this is fuckin' America Frankly, I'm incredibly jealous of your travelling across this country with a fresh set of eyes. e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I am so thankful to you all for your advice and encouragement in general... I WILL attempt to rent a car and drive SOMEWHERE... Madame Jan? Fancy a ride to Vegas from New Jersey? I will most probably do this closer to the West, since i am going to be in Vegas and then in NM... Maybe an NM to Los Angeles or San Francisco trip... Oh, this is all so exciting, i'm hardly able to sleep! Thank you once again, my friends... DO hope to meet each one of you out there sometime somewhere... BE WELL! -vin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Are you sure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I did Chicago to Vegas in a Winnebago once, that was fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I have driven in many cities around the world, and quite a lot of driving in those countries that drive on the "wrong" side of the road. If the majority of your driving experience has been in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc., the main thing to be aware of is to NOT rely on your instincts --- you will have to consciously think about which side of the road you are on, which way you need to look and so forth. Other than that, driving is driving and you'll have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryF Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 In New Zealand, I found it helpful to talk to myself constantly, more so than usual that is: Larry, you are pulling out of a driveway, look right first. Larry, you are coming to a left turn, stay on the left side side after the turn. Larry, you are coming up to a right turn, cross over and stay on the left side of the road. Larry, you are coming up to a two lane traffic circle, say your prayers. Best, Larry F Lectro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codyman Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hey, at least you'll be learning in Las Vegas / Nevada. As soon as you get out of Vegas proper, there is NOTHING for miles and miles so you'll be able to adjust rather quickly. Just be thankful you don't have to learn in New York City how to adjust to driving. Then again, NYC is probably closest thing we have to automotive craziness like India as everyone there on the road is like a maniac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Don't drive tired...... Your brain will in many cases do what it always does.... in this case steer you to the wrong side of the road.... You DO NOT want to be on your bodies AUTO PILOT... Stay rested Don't drink Don't be distracted Basically stay away from Las vegas ...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Rose Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 If you're in Vegas and have a car... take a drive through Red Rock Canyon. (That's what kept me relatively sane through many an NAB show.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 "Then again, NYC is probably closest thing we have to automotive craziness like India as everyone there on the road is like a maniac" > New Jersey, specifically Route 1 between Edison and Princeton is more insane than midtown Manhattan. I've not experienced/seen nor heard about nearly as many road-rage incidents in Manhattan, though Manhattan is more congested. BTW, I've traveled by car in India too.. China was worse IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigF Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 save the money on the classes go for the exotic on the race track splurge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 ... if you drive a car in India and survive, you should be OK in North America +1! (and easy on the horn in USA; seems its use is not understood the same way as it is in India) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungo Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 For me I can say that I adjusted quickly when driving in Ireland and NZ though I must admit that I'm afraid of left hand cities like London or Tokyo. But driving in the US is just great in my experience. I love it. First rule: No hurry - compared to here and the autobahn. You will soon learn what the button "cruise control" is for. Once when I was in the US a few years ago the rental company didn't have enough full size cars. So we got a Lincoln Town Car. Best driving ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted February 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Are you sure? Of course. to be done in two/three days with night halts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lezynski Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Uhhhhhh..... Vin, i do apologize if you already know this, but that's 2500 miles, not kilometers. 4000 Kilometers. I've done X America several times and I usually allow 5 days each way. There are things to see on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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