7:20 On alcohol, most states (including FL) have "Open Container" laws, which prohibit containers of alcohol that are open or have had their seal broken (a partially consumed, but closed container is not allowed). So, if you just bought something and have not opened it, you can put it in the cabin to transport it. But if it is or has been opened, you can't have it in the cabin. Of course, the laws vary by state (for example in some states passengers can consume alcohol... and thus possess open containers while the car is in motion), but I don't know of any state where you can not be in possession of full, factory-sealed alcoholic beverages in the cabin of a motor vehicle while driving. 8:00 The flashing yellow thing only really applies if there is a single flashing yellow light... if you come to a set of traffic lights that are flashing yellow, that usually means that they are malfunctioning (in some places they flash yellow during certain hours) it technically has the same meaning of "Proceed with caution" but unlike with a fire station, you are going to want to pay a lot more attention as the dangers won't all have flashing lights and loud sirens. Passing on the right: A misconception is that passing on the right (and not keeping right) is legal in the US. It is in some states, however, MOST states have keep-right laws, and quite a few have laws against passing on the right. If you are NOT familiar with the state you are in, it is safest to keep right and pass only on the left.
One tip I would add is regarding a green traffic signal that causes so many accidents when overseas drivers come to the US, especially tourist areas like Orlando. Essentially many accidents occur when drivers take a green light as OK to turn left without giving way to the oncoming traffic. A green ARROW light gives right of way, a green light does not. It's the same in the UK when you think about it but is the most common cause of accidents by foreign drivers in the US apparently.
With an Automatic Transmission, you don't really need a Parking or Hand Brake. Putting your vehicle in Park is 99% of the time adequate. Using your Parking Brake is only necessary on very steep grades.
We are thinking of hiring a car for the 1st time. this video has put our mind at ease. we usually use buses, the free transfers and ubers. thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much I'm driving for the first time in may and even though driving an auto won't be an issue I had no idea that there might not be a gear stick or hand brake and it could be knobs or buttons. I've watched other videos on driving in Orlando and you're the only one that's mentioned that. I feel a lot more confident now thank you 😊
I know you’re talking about Florida but one very specific comment: turning right on red is still not allowed in New York City (unless a sign indicates it is specifically allowed).
Right turns on red are legal throughout the entire USA except where they are prohibited in a particular jurisdiction, like New York City - which is possibly the only place in the entire country - or at individual intersections, where there will be signs showing that.
That was spot on ..my daughter did all the driving last Oct and did a great job even though she was nervous, the “ drifting” was the only slight issue from the airport and I just said keep in lane and it soon became more comfortable. As usual you have kept it real so thank you
American here, generally the speed limit on interstates is 65-80 by law unless otherwise posted. When driving on interstates and multi lane roads in the us the left hand lanes are only for passing and making left hand turns by law unless otherwise posted. Also when driving in construction don’t cause an accident, they will ticket you and may throw you in jail
Actually blinking yellow lights means the power is out, maintenance, etc. You are suppose to slow down and if clear continue on. If its blinking red, you must stop like a stop sign before continuing. For fire stations you can see them near by and they have special lights clearly signed that are only used if there is an emergency.
I've been to Orlando many times but never hired a car. Booked for 3 weeks Sept 2021 and will definitely be driving this time. Thank you for this video, definitely puts my mind at ease :-) x
Great vlog you covered all the points. The only thing I would add is that sometimes the hand brake can be a foot pedal - it took me a while to find it on this trip
Thank you for this video. We fly to Florida next August and it will be my husbands first time driving there. You have put his mind at ease showing us how easy it is. 👍🏼👍🏼
If anybody is afraid of lane drifting, which I find to be an odd concept myself, get a vehicle with lane keeping assist. It uses cameras to detect lane lines. It fully activates when you center your vehicle in the lane, and if you start to drift towards or onto a lane line, it will automatically steer you back into your current lane. So you may ask, "Well how do you change lanes then?" Well, activating your turn signals/indicators, will temporarily deactivate the lane keeping feature. I have this feature on my 2016 F150 Lariat and I find it rather nice as it forces you to use your turn signal to change lanes, which is a nice legal thing that keeps you out of getting pulled over for not using your signal.
Sometimes there can be a fire station, but it will usually be marked like that. Flashing lights aren't very common except early in the morning when there's much less traffic and the city planners don't feel the need to have one car stopped at a red light for 2 minutes with no other cars in sight. You will also see flashing lights at school zones when the kids are being let in or out. Pay close attention to those as school zones give double or triple fines for speeders and the police watch it like a hawk.
My first time driving in the USA was in a giant suv for 6 hours to San Francisco from LA up and down those steep hills. It was so easy. Florida is the easiest, it’s all flat and big wide roads xx
A good tip to stop instinctively drifting lanes is to put a mark on the dashboard and keep it lined up with the left white lane marker on the road. That was the main issue I had when I first moved here because the majority of the car is on the opposite side than what you're used to. I personally used a Mickey Mouse sticker and as soon as it went left of the line I corrected. Obviously you have to change the marker if you adjust the seat or swap drivers but it does help.
I've driven in the US for many many years and found this really fascinating. I'm starting to plan a trip to the UK and driving is definitely one of my fears. It's nice to see things like this.
Traffic lanes in the US are a minimal of 12 ft wide. I think they're only 9 ft wide in Europe. And vehicles in the US are also wider. As you can see there's a bit of a half seat width between the driver and the passenger, while in Europe, you're sitting right next to one another. But if you really want a big vehicle driving experience, drive a wide body Ford Raptor pickup or Ram Rebel pickup. They're something like 4 or 6 inches wider than your regular truck of that model. Because the Raptor is actually a Baja rated off road racing truck. Rides EXTREMELY smoothly because its suspension has a lot of travel. It takes common road bumps like they're not even there.
Roads are much bigger in the USA because much of the country has been developed since automobiles came into use - unlike the UK, where there are quantities of tiny, winding roads that have existed for hundreds of years, if not a thousand or more. They were adequate as footpaths, then for horses and carts, but not so much for cars - but they can't be widened in many cases because there are aged buildings that are directly next to them.
Also when making a right turn on red you still need to come to a full stop behind the line before proceeding (like a stop sign) otherwise a cop will get ya for that, especially with an out of state plate that rental companies use
Very good informative vlog,just a little FYI..If you have a police car behind you and you approach a stop sign,they may be looking for you to do a rolling stop.ie you stop,roll back a little before going forward.My friend got a ticket for not doing that..
This is a fantastic vlog! Ive been to WDW 12 times but never drove, this trip doing few days at Anna Maria Island and driving for a first so really helpful vlog...thank you so much fellas xo
FYI...you actually CAN turn left on red after Stop in some places in America [depending on the State] as long as you're on a one way street and turning onto a one way street. The common denominator being, either turn requires that you not cross into the path of oncoming traffic. Don't worry though...even most Americans don't know this.
I’ve not been to Florida for quite a few years now but have rented cars when I’ve been to Vegas as it’s cheaper than getting taxis. I love driving in the US. I think it’s less stressful than UK as they tend to have more lanes, even on non interstate roads
Thank you for your informative video. Me and my family go to Florida in September and I was dreading the driving over there but you make it look so easy. Still bit nervous but I will get the hang of it. Thanks
That Expedition you had there should have had Blind Spot Indicators on the side mirrors. My 2016 F150 Lariat has sensors galore. And they've kept me out of many accidents.
Thanks guys for that vlog, even though we have been hiring a car in the usa for over thirty years of visits we usually hire a sat nav. We are not very good with technology and would not have realised we could connect our phone to the car and use google maps or how to do it if you had not shown that on the vlog.
Whilst it’s a couple of years old, this is a great video! Thanks guys! I drove whilst in LA in 2019 but going to Orlando in August and wanted to re familiarise myself with it. I need to remind myself: If I can drive in downtown LA, I can drive in Florida!
rewatching this back guys as thinking on my next trip going to hire a car and villa rather than hotel with transfers.Think it will open the holiday up more.Great guide.i shall prob watch again before i go as a little nervous being first time lol 🙂
You were both brave whilst driving on holiday especially getting to know all the busy park road's....think if it was me everyone would be honking their car horn at me! x
But in most states, it's only the case if you're turning from a one-way street. A few states allow it from two-way streets (AK, ID, MI, OR & WA) and several don't allow left turns on red at all (CT, ME, MO, NH, NJ, NC, and most of SD).
Americans don't use the hand break much. It's only really needed when parking on steep roads. I'm mystified why Brits always talk about hand breaks in similar videos.
OMG - you guys know more about driving in America than many Americans... I saw where you drove in LA .... I live in Vegas and I still won't do that .... another super vlog....
they don't know why but for some reason if yer used to driving on the left (u.k., australia, japan, etc.) it's easier to adapt to driving on the left than the other way around and noone is sure why that is. plus here in the states vast majority of cars are automatics so i think that at least as far as this country foreigners might have an advantage than when yankees go to other countries (plus roads in the uk are often unsuited for automobiles). i did a little driving in the u.k. it's do-able but definitely takes some getting used to no doubt whereas people from the uk seem to drive over here pretty easily so those might be the reasons why.
roads in Europe are pretty much the same as the UK including the pot holes, but they drive on the right as well, it's more difficult when not driving an automatic but you don't get hire cars that often in the EU that are automatic, what makes the USA so easy is you don't have many roundabouts and your lanes are twice the size of the UK
@@TheLodgeGuys do you think traffic circles/roundabouts are safer or more hazardous than four way stops? i've heard mixed opinions. also do you agree if u drive on the left side (like in england) of the road it's easier to adapt to driving on the right side (like in u.s.)? i've heard it's true and no one knoews why. either way automatic is always easier no doubt.
Great informative video guys! I first drove in Orlando 3 years ago on first visit. Not only was it my (and my son’s) first time in America, but I had never driven abroad, never on the right and never driven an automatic. Oh and also I’d not driven at ALL for 3 years previous after a car accident. I found it incredibly easy after the first hour or two. If I can do it, basically anyone can!
I see y'all call them "Hire Cars." We call them Rental Cars. Or just Rentals. To us, a "Hire Car" sounds more like a Taxi, Uber, or Lyft, because you are hiring an actual driver to take you somewhere, whereas a Rental is a car you have to drive yourself.
7:20 On alcohol, most states (including FL) have "Open Container" laws, which prohibit containers of alcohol that are open or have had their seal broken (a partially consumed, but closed container is not allowed). So, if you just bought something and have not opened it, you can put it in the cabin to transport it. But if it is or has been opened, you can't have it in the cabin. Of course, the laws vary by state (for example in some states passengers can consume alcohol... and thus possess open containers while the car is in motion), but I don't know of any state where you can not be in possession of full, factory-sealed alcoholic beverages in the cabin of a motor vehicle while driving.
8:00 The flashing yellow thing only really applies if there is a single flashing yellow light... if you come to a set of traffic lights that are flashing yellow, that usually means that they are malfunctioning (in some places they flash yellow during certain hours) it technically has the same meaning of "Proceed with caution" but unlike with a fire station, you are going to want to pay a lot more attention as the dangers won't all have flashing lights and loud sirens.
Passing on the right: A misconception is that passing on the right (and not keeping right) is legal in the US. It is in some states, however, MOST states have keep-right laws, and quite a few have laws against passing on the right. If you are NOT familiar with the state you are in, it is safest to keep right and pass only on the left.
I was so terrified of driving in USA but I’ve done it twice now and it’s so much easier than the uk!
One tip I would add is regarding a green traffic signal that causes so many accidents when overseas drivers come to the US, especially tourist areas like Orlando. Essentially many accidents occur when drivers take a green light as OK to turn left without giving way to the oncoming traffic. A green ARROW light gives right of way, a green light does not. It's the same in the UK when you think about it but is the most common cause of accidents by foreign drivers in the US apparently.
Good tip. I remember having to think about that a couple of times
With an Automatic Transmission, you don't really need a Parking or Hand Brake. Putting your vehicle in Park is 99% of the time adequate. Using your Parking Brake is only necessary on very steep grades.
A habit of mine, I always engage the brakes after I park.
We are thinking of hiring a car for the 1st time. this video has put our mind at ease. we usually use buses, the free transfers and ubers. thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much I'm driving for the first time in may and even though driving an auto won't be an issue I had no idea that there might not be a gear stick or hand brake and it could be knobs or buttons. I've watched other videos on driving in Orlando and you're the only one that's mentioned that. I feel a lot more confident now thank you 😊
I know you’re talking about Florida but one very specific comment: turning right on red is still not allowed in New York City (unless a sign indicates it is specifically allowed).
rdennis19 yeah and NJ still has a weird law where all gas stations are full service and no self serve
Right turns on red are legal throughout the entire USA except where they are prohibited in a particular jurisdiction, like New York City - which is possibly the only place in the entire country - or at individual intersections, where there will be signs showing that.
Nobody from outside of NYC should really be driving in NYC anyway, even if they are American. It's just too crazy.
That was spot on ..my daughter did all the driving last Oct and did a great job even though she was nervous, the “ drifting” was the only slight issue from the airport and I just said keep in lane and it soon became more comfortable. As usual you have kept it real so thank you
American here, generally the speed limit on interstates is 65-80 by law unless otherwise posted. When driving on interstates and multi lane roads in the us the left hand lanes are only for passing and making left hand turns by law unless otherwise posted. Also when driving in construction don’t cause an accident, they will ticket you and may throw you in jail
Actually blinking yellow lights means the power is out, maintenance, etc. You are suppose to slow down and if clear continue on. If its blinking red, you must stop like a stop sign before continuing.
For fire stations you can see them near by and they have special lights clearly signed that are only used if there is an emergency.
I've been to Orlando many times but never hired a car. Booked for 3 weeks Sept 2021 and will definitely be driving this time. Thank you for this video, definitely puts my mind at ease :-) x
How did the driving go??
Great vlog you covered all the points. The only thing I would add is that sometimes the hand brake can be a foot pedal - it took me a while to find it on this trip
Thank you for this video. We fly to Florida next August and it will be my husbands first time driving there. You have put his mind at ease showing us how easy it is. 👍🏼👍🏼
If anybody is afraid of lane drifting, which I find to be an odd concept myself, get a vehicle with lane keeping assist. It uses cameras to detect lane lines. It fully activates when you center your vehicle in the lane, and if you start to drift towards or onto a lane line, it will automatically steer you back into your current lane. So you may ask, "Well how do you change lanes then?" Well, activating your turn signals/indicators, will temporarily deactivate the lane keeping feature. I have this feature on my 2016 F150 Lariat and I find it rather nice as it forces you to use your turn signal to change lanes, which is a nice legal thing that keeps you out of getting pulled over for not using your signal.
I'm a Yank, as you say, and I used to live in Orlando. The flashing yellow lights indicate Caution, not a fire station.
Sometimes there can be a fire station, but it will usually be marked like that. Flashing lights aren't very common except early in the morning when there's much less traffic and the city planners don't feel the need to have one car stopped at a red light for 2 minutes with no other cars in sight. You will also see flashing lights at school zones when the kids are being let in or out. Pay close attention to those as school zones give double or triple fines for speeders and the police watch it like a hawk.
My first time driving in the USA was in a giant suv for 6 hours to San Francisco from LA up and down those steep hills. It was so easy. Florida is the easiest, it’s all flat and big wide roads xx
A good tip to stop instinctively drifting lanes is to put a mark on the dashboard and keep it lined up with the left white lane marker on the road. That was the main issue I had when I first moved here because the majority of the car is on the opposite side than what you're used to. I personally used a Mickey Mouse sticker and as soon as it went left of the line I corrected. Obviously you have to change the marker if you adjust the seat or swap drivers but it does help.
For those wondering all cars built after 2014 in the us are supposed to have a reverse camera standard
A little tip when driving in America always make sure the passenger is in the gutter .that way you know you are on the correct side
That's a ready good tip
I've driven in the US for many many years and found this really fascinating. I'm starting to plan a trip to the UK and driving is definitely one of my fears. It's nice to see things like this.
Cheers Guys. Most helpful. Not having driven in Florida for 15y this was really helpful, esp the red lights.
Traffic lanes in the US are a minimal of 12 ft wide. I think they're only 9 ft wide in Europe. And vehicles in the US are also wider. As you can see there's a bit of a half seat width between the driver and the passenger, while in Europe, you're sitting right next to one another.
But if you really want a big vehicle driving experience, drive a wide body Ford Raptor pickup or Ram Rebel pickup. They're something like 4 or 6 inches wider than your regular truck of that model. Because the Raptor is actually a Baja rated off road racing truck. Rides EXTREMELY smoothly because its suspension has a lot of travel. It takes common road bumps like they're not even there.
Roads are much bigger in the USA because much of the country has been developed since automobiles came into use - unlike the UK, where there are quantities of tiny, winding roads that have existed for hundreds of years, if not a thousand or more. They were adequate as footpaths, then for horses and carts, but not so much for cars - but they can't be widened in many cases because there are aged buildings that are directly next to them.
Also when making a right turn on red you still need to come to a full stop behind the line before proceeding (like a stop sign) otherwise a cop will get ya for that, especially with an out of state plate that rental companies use
Very good informative vlog,just a little FYI..If you have a police car behind you and you approach a stop sign,they may be looking for you to do a rolling stop.ie you stop,roll back a little before going forward.My friend got a ticket for not doing that..
This is a fantastic vlog! Ive been to WDW 12 times but never drove, this trip doing few days at Anna Maria Island and driving for a first so really helpful vlog...thank you so much fellas xo
Thanks for the refresher. Now I need a guide to driving in the UK since you’re a great teacher 👍🏾
We are going to be driving from Tampa to Davenport then only to universal parks. DID YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A TAG FOR THE TOLLS?
FYI...you actually CAN turn left on red after Stop in some places in America [depending on the State] as long as you're on a one way street and turning onto a one way street. The common denominator being, either turn requires that you not cross into the path of oncoming traffic.
Don't worry though...even most Americans don't know this.
👍
I’ve not been to Florida for quite a few years now but have rented cars when I’ve been to Vegas as it’s cheaper than getting taxis. I love driving in the US. I think it’s less stressful than UK as they tend to have more lanes, even on non interstate roads
Thank you for your informative video. Me and my family go to Florida in September and I was dreading the driving over there but you make it look so easy. Still bit nervous but I will get the hang of it. Thanks
This is useful, could of done with this video 20 years ago, before i drove on the wrong side of the road
That Expedition you had there should have had Blind Spot Indicators on the side mirrors. My 2016 F150 Lariat has sensors galore. And they've kept me out of many accidents.
Great video with advise ,as I’m driving the car for the 1st time Orlando when we go in June
Sure you will be fine. Its easy once you get used to it
Thanks guys for that vlog, even though we have been hiring a car in the usa for over thirty years of visits we usually hire a sat nav. We are not very good with technology and would not have realised we could connect our phone to the car and use google maps or how to do it if you had not shown that on the vlog.
Whilst it’s a couple of years old, this is a great video! Thanks guys! I drove whilst in LA in 2019 but going to Orlando in August and wanted to re familiarise myself with it. I need to remind myself: If I can drive in downtown LA, I can drive in Florida!
You guys made driving in Florida look so easy!
it's a doddle to drive there much easier than in the UK as far less rules and much bigger roads
rewatching this back guys as thinking on my next trip going to hire a car and villa rather than hotel with transfers.Think it will open the holiday up more.Great guide.i shall prob watch again before i go as a little nervous being first time lol 🙂
We hired a big people carrier when we went. Driving in America is easy
You were both brave whilst driving on holiday especially getting to know all the busy park road's....think if it was me everyone would be honking their car horn at me! x
Omg just watched this and this has answered some of my concerns driving in Florida for the first time and put me at ease thank you guys 👍
driving here is nothing as road rules are far more simple than the UK
Never seen flashing orange lights.
Great video guys.
turning right on a red light always confuses me.
Thank you for maknig this video, i am driving over there in May and this really helped me :)
You can make a Left turn on a Red if it's onto a One Way street that goes to your left.
But in most states, it's only the case if you're turning from a one-way street. A few states allow it from two-way streets (AK, ID, MI, OR & WA) and several don't allow left turns on red at all (CT, ME, MO, NH, NJ, NC, and most of SD).
Americans don't use the hand break much. It's only really needed when parking on steep roads. I'm mystified why Brits always talk about hand breaks in similar videos.
I am thinking of going to the US next year, but I’m a bit scared driving there because of my dyslexia any advice
well done guys on another great vlog very useful information and great to help first time drivers in America.
Would you have that car back in the uk if ford did it ? We had the same car and it’s amazing 😍 honestly I would have it over a Range Rover 😀
Isn't it too big for the UK? I mean, where would you park?
This was so interesting guys!! Always wanted to drive their!! Learnt quite a few things I never knew too!
Have lived in Florida nearly 30 years and never used the parking brake.
it's because you have no hills lol
True...
This video is brilliant. Thank you!
Love it!!!!! Great video
Thank you!!
OMG - you guys know more about driving in America than many Americans... I saw where you drove in LA .... I live in Vegas and I still won't do that .... another super vlog....
they don't know why but for some reason if yer used to driving on the left (u.k., australia, japan, etc.) it's easier to adapt to driving on the left than the other way around and noone is sure why that is.
plus here in the states vast majority of cars are automatics so i think that at least as far as this country foreigners might have an advantage than when yankees go to other countries (plus roads in the uk are often unsuited for automobiles). i did a little driving in the u.k. it's do-able but definitely takes some getting used to no doubt whereas people from the uk seem to drive over here pretty easily so those might be the reasons why.
roads in Europe are pretty much the same as the UK including the pot holes, but they drive on the right as well, it's more difficult when not driving an automatic but you don't get hire cars that often in the EU that are automatic, what makes the USA so easy is you don't have many roundabouts and your lanes are twice the size of the UK
@@TheLodgeGuys do you think traffic circles/roundabouts are safer or more hazardous than four way stops? i've heard mixed opinions. also do you agree if u drive on the left side (like in england) of the road it's easier to adapt to driving on the right side (like in u.s.)? i've heard it's true and no one knoews why.
either way automatic is always easier no doubt.
Thank you guys xx
I should make you a video of how we who live in Orlando REALLY drive 🤣🤣🤣 you were driving in the tourist area, where no one from Orlando drives 🤔
we've driven in 4 states including downtown LA your road system is simple compared with the complexity of UK road rules
Great info, thanks guys. 👍💯
👍
Thans Guy’s this is very helpful
Awesome video, thanks very much from a semi nervous Kiwi!
Excellent video! I will be driving for the first time when we go next and this has put me much more at ease :-)
Great informative video guys!
I first drove in Orlando 3 years ago on first visit. Not only was it my (and my son’s) first time in America, but I had never driven abroad, never on the right and never driven an automatic. Oh and also I’d not driven at ALL for 3 years previous after a car accident. I found it incredibly easy after the first hour or two. If I can do it, basically anyone can!
The man in his PJs you will find them in Canada too in fact you will find lots of people in jammies here
A great video, with good useful tips.
I was hoping for a trip announcement!
12th Nov
Do you turn data etc off google maps when using it ?
no our contract allows us in USA as we would at home but you can offline the maps so you can use it without a signal
this was good..... Thank you
Very helpful 👍👍👍
I live in Florida. They are saying things about Florida I've never heard and can't believe are true.
Actually when the traffic lights are flashing like that, they are just fucked up
Have you thought about being a driving instructor I would give you a job. Well explained.
I see y'all call them "Hire Cars." We call them Rental Cars. Or just Rentals. To us, a "Hire Car" sounds more like a Taxi, Uber, or Lyft, because you are hiring an actual driver to take you somewhere, whereas a Rental is a car you have to drive yourself.
you two are adorable, we welcome you to the U.S anytime
Thanks for watching Jon
Keep at it
Camera man sounds like Guy Martin
What language are they speaking?
No rubbish on the verges.