THE CAR EXPERTCar finance and buying advice

The fourth largest country in the world, the Unites States of America boasts an array of interesting and exciting roads on which to drive. Some routes are well-known while millions of others are tucked away and waiting to be found.

The Florida Keys, Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Oregon’s Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway of California, Daytona Beach or the ‘grandaddy of all off-road routes’ the Sierra Nevada Rubicon Trail: whether you are looking for coastlines, forests, highways or mountain ranges, the US has something for every driver.

There’s so much to choose from. The country is massive, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Atlantic on the other, while the Gulf of Mexico nestles away down south. The sheer scope of the land mass in between is breathtaking – and a treasure trove of wonderful places to visit for a holiday.

Don’t let anyone tell you that the US doesn’t have history. First dwellers can be traced back many centuries and with the European colonisation of the 15^th century, the English colonial settlement a hundred years later and the American Revolution following that, there is evidence of all this in the major cities’ architecture.

A huge and diverse range of people, nationalities and cultures makes the US an interesting place for music, entertainment and cuisine – food is varied and plentiful. It’s unlikely you will go hungry on a vacation or business trip in America.

Thousands of UK residents spend plenty of time in the States on business, not just in its major industrial centres such as New York, Chicago, Dallas and Seattle, but in hundreds of towns and cities right across the country.

Main industries include construction, energy, car manufacture, banking and the movie and music sectors of entertainment. Tourism is also a prime money-spinner for the nation and the local people are welcoming and friendly.

Love beaches, sun sea and sand? California is right there. Prefer skiing and snow sports? Head for Colorado, Utah or Pennsylvania. It can be searingly hot in the US and freezing cold. It just depends on where you are.

Flying in and hiring a vehicle is the only option for UK travellers wishing to hit the roads of the United States and you’ll find a wide selection of car rental companies, such as Sixt, Alamo and Enterprise, operating from the country’s major airports dotted across the nation.

In these rental offices you will find a big choice of saloons, 4x4s, people carriers, SUVs (sport utilities) as well as impressive muscle cars. Roads are big, wide and open so it’s easier getting used to driving in the US than in some European countries for example.

Driving in the USA is a different experience from doing so in the UK, mainly because the people there drive on the right side of the road. But there are lots of other differences too, in the way the British and the Americans use a car, which makes planning for a driving holiday or business trip vital to ensure your comfort and safety while there.

And because of its size, even though most of the rules of the road are generally the same across the entire country, each state will have its own take on the rules, and things can be slightly different as you cross state lines.

Here The Car Expert looks at the most important elements to consider when planning to drive in the USA, and we’ve included a handy checklist. As each journey is unique, always check that you have everything covered for your particular visit.

Basic rules

You must be between 16 and 18 years of age, depending on state, and hold a full driving licence to get behind the wheel in the US. Just the licence card will do, as the paper counterpart is no longer a requirement.

Some states will require you to have an International Driving Permit as well as your licence and this must be organised before you travel – you can’t get one while you’re there. Alaska, Virginia and Washington are among them, so check with the particular state department you’re visiting to be sure.

You will almost certainly be hiring a car in the States (as opposed to driving your own vehicle) and the minimum age for rental is 21 for most states, although there are a few exceptions such as Michigan, where the age restriction is from 18 years. Rental companies will provide you with the necessary paperwork to show you are insured to drive their vehicle. Always carry personal ID such as your passport at all times.

We don’t recommend any drinking of alcohol if you are going to drive, but you should be aware of the country’s limit. For car drivers it’s 0.8 g/l (0.8 milligrams) blood alcohol level. By comparison, that’s the same as for England and Wales.

US traffic police don’t carry out random breath tests and can only stop drivers if they have a reason for doing so, such as observing poor driving. One exception to this is the use of so-called ‘roadblocks’ which the police use for random breath tests, although these are quite rare.

If you are stopped by the police for any reason, don’t try to get out of your car. Wait inside until the traffic officer has approached and spoken to you.

Speed limits

Speed limits are shown in miles per hour (mph) as they are in the UK. For guidance, here are the most likely speed limits you’ll see, but these can vary from state to state so keep a close eye on road signs. For urban built-up areas it’s 30mph, driving near a school it can drop to 10mph, two-lane highways are usually 60mph and for motorways (freeways or expressways) it’s 70mph.

Speed camera detection devices are legal and accepted in many states, and you can make use of satnav-based speed camera alerts. Detectors are usually prohibited near airbases or other military establishments, so check local signage. And don’t use a mobile phone while driving unless it is ‘hands-free’. In some states using a phone while driving is banned entirely.

What to carry in the car

You must have a warning triangle in the car in case you break down: if you’re hiring, the rental firm should have organised this. Hi-viz jackets are not compulsory, but if there is one in the car it’s a good idea to put it on. The same goes for other equipment which would normally be expected in European countries such as fire extinguisher and first aid kit. They’re not required by law, but certainly worth carrying with you if you can.

Seatbelts

Seatbelt rules are similar to the UK in most states: if your car has them, they must be worn. It’s the driver’s responsibility to make sure everyone is buckled up. Across most of the country the recommendation is for children under 13 years of age to be placed in the rear seats of the car. Infants up to eight years old or 65 pounds in weight must be restrained in an appropriate child seat.

Driving

If you’re new to driving in the US, it’s best to stay on the right wherever possible. The US is the land of the big vehicles and it’s not unusual to be vying for space on a freeway with an assortment of huge SUVs, people carriers and pick-up trucks. It’s not the time to be driving a tiny city car runaround.

Be prepared to be ‘undertaken’ or passed on your inside too – this is perfectly acceptable on American freeways and, as long as you keep a close eye on your side mirrors and general surroundings, it works well in keeping traffic moving freely. US drivers are not known for using turn indicators when changing lanes, so watch for signs that a fellow motorist is about to do that manoeuvre.

You will usually give way to vehicles using the ‘main’ road as you approach a junction. Some junctions will have a flashing light instead of a ‘Stop’ sign. In this case, give way to the car coming from your left.

There are thousands of crossroads (four-ways) in the US, and these have a rule all of their own. The person who arrives first gets to go first. Then it’s the next person and so on. American drivers instinctively know how to do this and will wait for you but try to get used to this method so that you can move off quickly and safely.

Roundabouts are not as common as in the UK but where you do see them, give way to traffic coming from your left. Always give way to emergency vehicles as soon as you can.

Your car will probably have driving lights on at all times, but headlights should be switched on half an hour before sunset and for half an hour after sunrise.

Rules for towing vary greatly between states so consult the local authority’s rules before hitching up a caravan or trailer. Many require you to be able to see 200 feet behind you using your side mirrors.

Traffic signs

Traffic lights are red for stop and green for go, along with amber which shows when the lights are about go back to red – so you must be prepared to stop. You are allowed to turn right at a red light as long as there are no other cars approaching the junction. There will be road signs prohibiting this, where applicable.

We share the same language as the Americans, so all their signs are in English. But that’s where the similarity stops. US signs are quite different from UK ones. As well as the almost universal hexagonal ‘Stop’ sign there is also ‘Yield’ (give way) and ‘All way’ (all cars must stop at a four-way crossroads).

‘Go on slow’ means proceed slowly and carefully, while ‘Wait on stop’ means you must stop at a junction. Speed limit signs are usually white with black lettering and contain information showing different speeds for varying types of vehicles such as trucks, along with minimum speeds.

As well as the ‘No entry’ sign (often with the words ‘Do not enter’) there is also the ‘Wrong way’ sign, which should be treated as a severe warning. Parking restriction signs are white with red lettering while instruction signs, such as ‘Turn left’ are yellow with black arrows or symbols. The same goes for intersection instructions and advanced warnings such as ‘Traffic lights ahead’.

Where in the UK, drivers are used to the ‘Cattle’ warning, be prepared for many more animal signs in the US, including ‘Elk’, ‘Bear’, ‘Moose’, ‘Wild horse’, ‘Ram’ and even ‘Donkey’. Roadwork signs are orange while freeway direction signs are usually green with white lettering, with distances shown in miles.

There are many toll roads in the US, often referred to as ‘turnpikes’. As well as charges for using the roads, you might also have to pay to enter a city. Many of these tolls are paid for using traffic cameras with the charge sent to the owner’s account. Some toll roads have pay booths which take cash as well as cards. The fee varies according to destination and distance travelled.

Fuel availability

With so many cars in use throughout the USA it’s no surprise that there are millions of fuel stations. The primary fuel used is petrol (gasoline) but diesel is also available.  Fuel stations are usually self-service: you often pay first at the pump or pay office (cash or card) and then fill up until the desired value has been reached.

Parking

Parking is fairly straightforward in an array of available car parks. You take a ticket as you enter the car park and pay on exit using a ticket machine. Depending on where you are there may well be on-street parking, some of which is free especially if you are away from a major town or city centre.

Look for the colour of the kerb – red means no parking, blue is for disabled parking only, white is for loading and unloading and green indicates free parking but probably for a designated time. Read roadside signs carefully. Where charges are applicable these could well be via a parking meter which will take cash and often cards.

Don’t park within five metres of a fire hydrant, on or near a junction (intersection), in a tunnel, on a bridge, within three metres of a railway track, in a disabled bay (unless you are entitled to), on a pavement (sidewalk), in front of a driveway, or facing the wrong way up a street.

Emergency number

If your car breaks down or you have some other emergency, dial the appropriate services using the number 911.

Checklist

In geographical terms, Turkey is surrounded by all sorts of civilisations and cultures. With Bulgaria, Greece and the rest of Europe to its west, Georgia and Russia to the north east and Syria, Iraq and Lebanon down south, the Republic of Turkiye, as it’s officially known, is on the border of two mighty continents, and has the lifestyle, scenery and history to reflect both.

With most of the country officially located in West Asia a small part, East Thrace, sits in south east Europe. Its coastline is made up of three mighty seas – the Aegean, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Major city Istanbul is Europe’s largest metropolis and a major financial and business centre, and yet other parts of the country are mountainous, with vast lakeland areas and a barren wilderness.

It can be warm and sunny on the beaches in the summer and desperately cold in the north east of the country in the winter with sub-zero temperatures and snow almost guaranteed every year.

And it’s this wide diversity that makes Turkey such an attraction to many visitors. Lots go for the warm climate and sunny coasts but there are plenty of others who wish to take to the roads in all temperatures and explore this beautiful country.

Capital Ankara (which is smaller than Istanbul) has an abundance of history in the way of ancient architecture including Roman theatres and baths, and impressive Ottoman-era mosques dating back to the 16^th century. There are also music halls, modern theatres and shopping malls to tempt holidaymakers.

Istanbul is considered to be Turkey’s true centre of business and culture. Around a fifth of all Turkish people live there, but it attracts tourists too with its mix of history, leisure, museums (there are more than 50) and cuisine – the latter influenced by European kitchens as well as the more familiar Middle Eastern dishes such as the kebab.

From a business point of view, manufacturing takes centre stage with agricultural vehicles, cars and textiles high up the production line. Banking and oil refinery also feature.

It’s unlikely (though not impossible) that you would drive to Turkey so for most visitors, flying in and hiring a vehicle is the best option. You’ll find a wide selection of car rental companies, such as Sixt, Avis, Enterprise and Europcar, operating from the country’s main airports of Istanbul Ataturk (the largest), Sahbiha Gokcen and Antalya.

Driving in Turkey is a completely different experience from doing so in the UK, not just because the people there drive on the right side of the road. Turkish people are welcoming and friendly but that often gets forgotten as soon as they get behind the wheel of a car.

The country’s accident rate is by no means the best in the world. Compare its 6.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants with Norway’s 2.0, the UK’s 2.9, Denmark’s 3.4, Spain and Germany’s 3.7, and France’s 5.0.

It makes planning a driving holiday or using a car on business, even more crucial and a good understanding of what you can and can’t do behind the wheel is vitally important for everyone’s safety and well-being.

Here The Car Expert looks at the most important elements to consider when planning to drive in Turkey, and we’ve included a handy checklist. As each journey is unique, always check that you have everything covered for your particular visit.

Basic rules

You must be 18 years or more and hold a full driving licence to get behind the wheel in Turkey. Just the licence card will do, as the paper counterpart is no longer a requirement. International Driving Permits are recognised but are not a necessity.

You’ll need to prove that you have car insurance if you take your own vehicle to Turkey so always have your certificate with you. You should also carry with you documents that show the identity of the vehicle, such as a V5C ‘logbook’. And always have your passport or other form of ID.

If it’s registered in the UK, your vehicle’s ‘home country’ must be shown on it by way of the ‘UK’ sticker on the rear. Displaying only the UK marking on the number plate is not sufficient. The ‘GB’ badge is no longer recognised as identification, and the same goes for country signs such as the English, Scottish or Welsh flags.

To hire a car in Turkey you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving permit for at least a year – some companies might ask for two years. A credit card is likely to be required so don’t turn up with a handful of cash. And if you are planning to leave the country on a particular excursion, check with the hire company first. Many won’t allow it.

We don’t recommend any drinking of alcohol if you are going to drive, but you should be aware of the country’s limit. For car drivers it’s 0.5 g/l (0.5 milligrams) blood alcohol level. If you are driving any other type of vehicle, or are towing a caravan or trailer, the limit is zero (0 g/l).

For comparison, it’s 0.8 g/l (0.8 milligrams) in England and Wales.

Traffic police will ask you to take a brteath test if they suspect you are over the permitted limit. Penalties for a positive alcohol test are severe and range from a fine, severity dependant on the amount over the limit you are, or even licence confiscation. Just refusing to take a breath test can bring a 2,900 Turkish lira (Tl) fine (£65).

Speed limits

Speed limits are shown in kilometres (km/h) rather than miles (mph). In built-up areas the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph). Outside of towns the limit is 90 km/h (56 mph) while motorway limits are set at 120 km/h (75 mph) top speed. Always keep an eye on local signage as it’s not always easy to know if you are in a built-up area or not.

Speed camera detection devices are illegal when driving in Turkey and that includes those built into navigation units, so ensure this feature is switched off. And don’t use a mobile phone while driving unless it is ‘hands-free’.

What to carry in the car

You must have in your car two warning triangles in case you break down, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Two warning triangles? Yes – if you’re stranded on an urban road one should be placed 30 metres behind the car and the other 30 metres in front of it. If you have to stop on a motorway, place both triangles 100 metres behind your car.

The authorities expect you to have headlamp converters for your headlights (or have manually adjusted lamps) so you don’t dazzle on-coming drivers. And consider carrying some spare bulbs with you.

Specialist suppliers, such as motoring organisations, sell ‘European driving kits’ for £25-£30, which contain everything you are likely to need for a Continental road trip, and it’s well worth investing in one.

Seatbelts

Seatbelt rules are the same as in the UK: if your car has them, they must be worn. It’s the driver’s responsibility to make sure everyone is buckled up.

Children must be fastened in too – any child under 3 years of age must be in a suitable child seat otherwise they are not permitted to travel. Babies can be carried in a rear facing chair on the front seat as long as the car’s airbag is switched off.

Youngsters under 150 cm in height and 36 kg in weight must travel in the rear, in suitable car seats while those over 150 cm can use a regular seat belt but only on the back bench.

Driving

Keep to the right-hand lane as much as possible but if you are overtaking you must do so on the left. There will at times be road signs forbidding overtaking – do not ignore these. Also, do not overtake when approaching junctions, level crossings, on bridges or in tunnels. And don’t try to pass a vehicle that is, at the same time, overtaking someone else.

Turkish roads are mainly in good condition but, outside of built-up areas and driving into more remote areas the road surfaces can be poorly maintained. Additionally, local drivers are known to speed and attempt some risky moves so, if you are thinking of overtaking someone, make a full assessment of surroundings before doing anything.

There are many mountainous roads and, if you are driving uphill, you have the right of way – others should pull over to let you pass and you would be expected to do the same for them.

You will usually give way to vehicles using the ‘main’ road unless signs state otherwise and always yield to cars already on a roundabout. At crossroads that have no controls or road markings, give priority to vehicles on your right. Always give way to emergency vehicles as soon as you can.

If you hesitate at traffic lights after they have gone green, or stop to let another car out in front of you, you are likely to be hooted by everyone. However, you should use your horn sparingly. In some towns it is forbidden after 10pm until the morning. Outside of town areas, you can use the horn if it’s for a safety reason or to avoid an accident.

It can get extremely cold in Turkey and although there is no regulation, you should consider using appropriate winter tyres (with the snowflake symbol). Rental companies should have those covered but it’s worth checking. Where it gets very cold, such as towards the east, it’s advisable to use snow chains. But only do this when the road is actually covered in snow or ice, and never use studded tyres – they are banned.

If you are taking a trailer or caravan through Turkey ensure you and the rig do not exceed 18.75 metres long, 4 metres high and 2.55 metres wide. Make sure you can see clearly behind you with the use of two wide rear-view mirrors.

Traffic signs

Traffic lights are red, amber and green and follow a similar pattern to the UK, but a yellow flashing arrow means you can proceed in its direction with caution. The fine for jumping a red light is 951 Tl (£21).

Most road signs have pictures, similar to those in the UK. ‘Road narrows’, ‘low flying aircraft’ and ‘slippery road surface’ for example, are all the same but there are some notable extra signs including ‘roadworks ahead’ set in a yellow background, a bright green ‘motorway begins’ sign and a round sign showing a car, a motorcycle and a person driving an animal-drawn cart, with a red line through it, prohibiting all of these vehicles.

Signs are written in Turkish including, unusually the hexagonal ‘Stop’ sign which does not use the English word as most countries do. Instead look for ‘DUR’. That includes a warning of ‘DUR’ showing two children crossing the road. ‘Tek Yon’ means one way street while a ‘D’ signifies a bus stop. You might need ‘Kacis Rampasi’ which means ‘escape lane’.

Like most countries, warning signs are generally triangles with a red border, regulatory signs are round with a red outline, mandatory instruction signs are circles with a blue background, while information signs are square and generally blue.

Most directional signs will be written in Turkish and are blue for city names and white for villages, while motorway (Otoyol) signage is green. Heritage and interest signs are brown. Distances are shown in kilometres.

There are some toll roads in Turkey and these are paid for using a sensor or window sticker which charges the toll to an account. Cash is no longer accepted to pay for road usage. If you don’t have a sensor the car’s number plate is taken and a charge sent to the registered keeper. It’s not a fine, but you must pay it within 15 days to avoid further action.

Cars with non-Turkish licence plates must have a sensor or sticker to enter the toll road. Almost all rental cars come with the sticker.

Fuel availability

Diesel (motorin) and unleaded (kursunsuz benzin) fuels are widely available. AdBlue is also easy to find. Fuel stations are usually self-service although there will be staff around to help.

Payment is normally taken in advance with a credit card in busy areas, but if you are out in the sticks, garages might insist on cash, so make sure you have some if you are going on a road trip.

Parking

Read roadside signs carefully when parking as restrictions can change depending on the time of day. In residential areas you will only be allowed to stop in designated areas, but these are widely available and well sign posted. If you do find an on-street space it will likely be controlled by a meter.

Check carefully before you leave your vehicle to make sure you are not causing an obstruction. You must not park in front of any private property entrance, on or near a pedestrian crossing, facing the wrong way on the left side of the road, on or near junctions or bends, on a bridge or in a tunnel or anywhere where it might cause others an obstruction.

Park on the road at night and you should leave your side lights on. This does not apply in you are in a well-lit urban area where visibility is good.

Badly parked cars could attract a fine of 450 Tl (£10). The car could alternatively be towed away in which case you’ll pay a fine and a recovery charge.

Emergency number

In Turkey, as with most of Europe, you can dial 112 and make contact with emergency services such as fire, ambulance or police, 24 hours a day. Operators will speak English, French other European languages.

Checklist