Clear the Road...... Seriously..... Im driving

[s.ollie]

Heading to the World for my next trip Oct/Nov, We just booked a rental car ( i say car but its a 7 seat-er beast) and my wonderful father insists that this year i shall be sharing the driving responsibility :hammerdon't ask me why), Ive been driving for quite a few years but.......

this will be my first driving experience in
1. AMERICA
2. on the opposite (right) side of the road
3. driving an automatic :lookaroun :lookaroun ??????????
4. driving anything BIG (i would class this as a tank ''dodge grand caravan'')

to say I'm slightly terrified is an understatement. with all the different directions ( eg we say turn right onto...... instead of head north/east etc.) and different road rule (turn right on red ) it's very confusing.

So has anyone got any helpful bits or bobs to keep me on the right track (road). Trust me it will also be assisting other road users with your help, maybe even you :ROFLOL:

Just like to add...... i am a good driver, here in Ireland, i promise

oh Ive just realised why he wants me to drive, so he can sample the many alcohol beverages on offer :brick:

 

[Mikester71]

:ROFLOL:If you are a good driver in Ireland, you should be a good driver in the U.S. too. :ROFLOL:I know you may be nervous the first time out, but I think the van may actually work out to your advantage. I have driven small cars and vans (tanks ) all of my life and I actually find minivans to be easier. You sit up higher and are able to see more of the road. I find it easier to see the other vehicles around you too.

Just drive the way you would back home, except stay on the right side of the road, and you will be just fine. And have a GREAT trip!!! :wave:

 

[Adventure]

Ok, I feel your pain. I've been to Ireland twice and never got the courage up to drive. My Dad and brother would do the driving.
Every day when we got on the road we had a little mantra of "keep to the left, keep to the left."
I think you might have a bit of an advantage. Those roads in Ireland seemed pretty narrow compared to ours.
If you are out and about parking I would try to find spaces that you can pull straight out of instead of having to back out. Those larger vehicles can be hard to navigate.
Have you driven automatic before? I would hope you would find it much easier than having to shift.
I think after you've driven to the parks for a day or two it should be fine.
Hope things go well for you!

 

[DecWDW]

Will you be using any sort of GPS device to help you with directions? I drive in America all the time, but I really get turned around in Orlando.

 

[wizards8507]

If you want an excuse to avoid driving, you might be in luck. It may or may not be VERY illegal for you to drive, especially if you're under 25 years old. Rental companies are extremely particular about allowing drivers besides the primary renter behind the wheel. Ask your dad if you can look at the rental contract and tell him you're just not comfortable violating the terms. :animwink:

 

[s.ollie]

If you want an excuse to avoid driving, you might be in luck. It may or may not be VERY illegal for you to drive, especially if you're under 25 years old. Rental companies are extremely particular about allowing drivers besides the primary renter behind the wheel. Ask your dad if you can look at the rental contract and tell him you're just not comfortable violating the terms. :animwink:

Ah if only lady luck was on my side..... i'm 26

 

[Dwarful]

Just remember that solid white line on the side is the shoulder and you cannot drive on the shoulder...even if it looks big enough to be its own lane. We lent our Buick to some friends from Jersey Channel Islands when they were visiting. We all had one day where no one was available to be their guides. So we gave them our car and directions and sent them on their way. When they got home they had a nice little tale about the nice police man who straightened them out...they were crusing down I-70 in St. Louis on the shoulder during rush hour. They had never seen such a large shoulder area before. And don't worry about the steering column and pedals being on the wrong side. I drove a postal truck for 10 years and rthey are all driven on the right side (or the wrong side here) and I had no problems switching from my mini-van to my LLV (and this was way back when I was 18).

 

[disney343]

everything is always opposit here in america just follow the signs.

 

[slappy magoo]

Will you be using any sort of GPS device to help you with directions? I drive in America all the time, but I really get turned around in Orlando.

If you can get your pop to spring the extra money for the GPS rental, you'll really be in much better shape.