Driving While in the States

Hello!

My husband and I are heading to the states for a visit to attend a family wedding next month! I normally use my parent’s car but this will be the first time I’ll have to rent one and I have no idea what I’m doing lol

I’ve looked on some uk sites for rentals, do I need to use my British license or my American one? And how do I need to go about insurance for the car? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello!

My husband and I are heading to the states for a visit to attend a family wedding next month! I normally use my parent’s car but this will be the first time I’ll have to rent one and I have no idea what I’m doing lol

I’ve looked on some uk sites for rentals, do I need to use my British license or my American one? And how do I need to go about insurance for the car? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Personally, I completely ignore my US license and go with the UK one.  If you book from the UK, you will usually have CDW included in the cost, so you don't get hassled on check in. 

If you feel especially apprehensive, buy 3rd party excess insurance, it should be around £30 and will cover anything that happens. 

Renting a ridiculously big car for peanuts is my favourite part of visiting the states. 

Personally, I completely ignore my US license and go with the UK one.  If you book from the UK, you will usually have CDW included in the cost, so you don't get hassled on check in. 

If you feel especially apprehensive, buy 3rd party excess insurance, it should be around £30 and will cover anything that happens. 

Renting a ridiculously big car for peanuts is my favourite part of visiting the states.

Definitely use the UK license. You get a lot better deals. And when you go to pick it up, use your UK DL and (I assume you have one) UK passport as proof of ID (if they need both).  The one thing to watch for is some sites that will rent you a car via the UK websites, but in the small print you'll find the offer doesn't apply if you are a USC. So you'll want to not be renting the car as a USC.   If that's an option. Otherwise, be sure to read all the fine print on the contract before you agree to it, or you may get stung for higher fees at the airport.

 

Thank you both! I’m not a dual citizen yet, so I only have my us passport but I have my uk DL. Should I look for rentals that will allow me to rent as a us citizen? Would you recommend any sites in particular?

Renting a ridiculously big car for peanuts is my favourite part of visiting the states.

 

To be honest the next time I drive in America I’m gonna be nervous. As I’m so used to in driving now I’m worried I’ll be driving on the UK side of the road. It makes me nervous thinking about it now 

To be honest the next time I drive in America I’m gonna be nervous. As I’m so used to in driving now I’m worried I’ll be driving on the up side of the road. It makes me nervous thinking about it now 

When in doubt, just follow the other cars! That's what I do hah 

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It felt soooooo good to get to be driving in the USA when we went back to visit! I felt competent again!

Cruised around SoCalif in a big car, with the windows down and the radio on. It was great fun!

Thank you both! I’m not a dual citizen yet, so I only have my us passport but I have my uk DL. Should I look for rentals that will allow me to rent as a us citizen? Would you recommend any sites in particular?

I like Europcar, but again, be sure to read ALL the fine print.

I like Europcar, but again, be sure to read ALL the fine print.

I’ve gone with Alamo but booked through Expedia! I’ve read as much as I could and think I’ve done everything the right way! It was so difficult to find one that would accept me! (I’m easily confused though haha)

I can’t wait to go home for a visit, I’m just dreading leaving the airport on the “wrong” side of the road! 😂