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1st time driving in florida, any advice?

corby
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380 posts
18 reviews
16 helpful votes
1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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we wil be going to florida at christmas and this will be my first driving over there, of course i kinow they drive on the opposite side of the road, we booked our holiday through Virgin Holidays and they use Alamo for car hire, i've been told as i paid for Virgin's fully inclusive insurance package i wont need to pay any deposits or charges once we pick the car up, but will they still want credit card details from me in case any damage is done to the car? and what about the road tolls? speed limit? ect...

UK
Destination Expert
for Florida
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52,114 posts
20 reviews
18 helpful votes
1. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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a CC swipe is usually required.

My tips are, familiarlise yourself with the roads and routes you will most likely be using incl printing out directions from Google maps. Ie from the airport to you accomodation, from your accomodation to any themem parks, shopping centers and beaches you may want to visit. Location of any restaurants you have planned on visiting etc.

For toll roads, keep to the far right lane and have change if you can (ie buy something like a coke at the airport before you pick up your car).

Northern Ireland...
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2. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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Hi there my girlfriend and I have been to Florida 5 times , were heading off again on the 1st oct buy a sat nav in walmart that's my advice nothing to costly mine cost 60 dollars it saves so much trouble we bought ours when we got lost driving to hotel on arrival

3. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?

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UK
Destination Expert
for Florida
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52,114 posts
20 reviews
18 helpful votes
5. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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despite floridamadman's enthusiasm I don't think you or he needs at sat nav. If he had gotten directions from the airport to his hotel as I advised you, he wouldn't have gotten lost ;-)

I would certainly buy one rather than rent one, but I think given they give out the wrong directions so many times I am not sure they are worth it.

Greater Manchester...
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3,291 posts
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6. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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I agree you dont need a sat nav. Best advise I can give is if you miss a left turn dont try and pull in as they wont let you in ,just carry on straight ahead and turn at the next opportunity , the roads are prety straight everywhere with the occaisional right turn generally. Going left is a bit more difficult but lots of the roads have these turning points in the road ahead if you miss the turn.

As amanx says sat nav's can send you in the wrong directions, and into the wrong lanes at toll roads etc if you dont know what you are doing.

Edited: 13 years ago
Newcastle, United...
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443 posts
9 reviews
6 helpful votes
7. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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Have you tried this site? Give it a go, it has loads of helpful advice

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

Berkshire, United...
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29,457 posts
56 reviews
71 helpful votes
8. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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Hi,

We have been to the USA over 40 times and always hire a car. It took us quite a few trips before we finally got to grips with the road signs etc. My advise would be to either have someone who is a very good navigator or get a Sat Nav. We have just booked our car for next month with Virgin and Sat Nav was "free"!! Road signs can be very confusing and we have had our moments I can tell you!!! In fact the only time we row on holiday is when we are trying to get somewhere in the car!!!

Be aware that on the Freeways your exit can be on either side of the road and you do not always get a lot of warning as to when the exit is coming up. There are no roundabouts and if you take the wrong exit off a Freeway, unlike here, you can not get back onto the other side of the road as there are no flyovers at exits. As well as overtaking, you can undertake,so you will have cars coming at your from either side. I think it is a great idea and you get used to it pretty quickly. You can turn right on a red light (if nothing in coming) as long as it doesn't say you can't.

If you have a Platinum Insurance Package with Virgin you do not need to buy ANYTHING else at the Alamo desk no matter what they say to you. They WILL try and get you to upgrade the car telling you it is not large enough etc. Stick to your guns and don't fall for it. Also, if they say you have no Roadside Assistance, that is rubbish, as it comes with the Virgin package. We have always been asked for a credit card at the hire car desk.

Hope you have a great time.

Edited: 13 years ago
Kelso, United...
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22,416 posts
69 reviews
47 helpful votes
9. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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Any advice?

Yes get a sat nav - take no notice of the techno dinosaurs on here.

We bought one in Walmart a few years back and take it with us every time we go, you don't NEED one but who wants to read maps, a holiday is supposed to be fun and map reading isn't my idea of fun.

It's your first time driving in the US so you can do without added pressure.

Unless of course you just intend to visit the parks, then you don't need one as they are all well signposted.

Also - use your mirrors all the time, if in doubt keep to the right, pre pay for fuel and look out for traffic cops they are everywhere,stick to the speed limit.

We love driving in the US if you are renting a car make sure you do some exploring, the roads are great.

UK
Destination Expert
for Florida
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52,114 posts
20 reviews
18 helpful votes
10. Re: 1st time driving in florida, any advice?
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I'm not a technodinosaur, but I still say they can be useless sometimes and dangerours other times. I have seen them (been in the car at the time) give out the wrong directions- thanks goodness I knew better. And it can take some 30 mins to work out how to use it- by then I am at my hotel and you aren't ;-0

But if you want one, it might be better to map yourself from the airport, then pick one up at Walmart. Or download US maps to yours from home.

I save my cash for the real techno stuff like new Ipods, Ipads, Laptops etc.

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