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John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints |
In the USA and Canada roads are generally excellent, signposting very clear, traffic levels very light, other drivers considerate and parking extremely easy and convenient.
Almost all rental cars in the USA and Canada are automatic. If you normally drive a manual car then don't be at all concerned about driving an automatic - you will get used to it extremely quickly. Remember that the car will move when in gear (forward or reverse) unless you keep your foot on the footbrake.
If you normally drive on the lefthand side of the road and sit on the righthand side of the car (as is the case in Britain, Australia, etc) then don't be at all concerned about switching to the opposite configuration - again you will get used to this extremely quickly. Just remember to drive on the right when starting off each time.
There are some important differences in driving regulations, road signs and signposting from some other countries, which the Driving section of the site explains in detail.
Distances in North America are huge, but because traffic levels are generally very low driving in the USA and Canada isn't the tiring and stressful experience that it is in the UK and most other European countries.
If you don't want to drive long distances, then you could try a fly/drive holiday based on southwestern Colorado or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Don't reject a fly/drive holiday on the grounds that the driver won't be able to see the scenery - that is most certainly not the case in the USA and Canada.
There's a lot more information on the Driving page.
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Most recently modified 26-Mar-01