UK licence holders can legally drive in America as visitors. That said, knowing the different rules and regulations for driving in the US is important. Here’s all you need to know if you want to hire a car while on a trip to America.
Can you drive in America with a UK licence?
Yes, UK licence holders can drive in America as visitors. Your full UK driving licence is officially recognised across the United States, so you do not usually need additional documentation to drive legally.
What age can you drive in America?
The minimum driving age in the United States varies by state. Drivers can get their full licence from the age of 16 years and 6 months in states such as South Carolina, but must wait until they’re 18 years of age in states like Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin.
Documents and requirements for UK drivers in the US
If you’re planning to drive in the US, you will need the following documents and items with you:
- Full and valid UK driving licence
- Valid passport (as a proof of ID)
- Proof of insurance
- Credit or debit card
Do UK drivers need an International Driving Permit in the US?
No, UK drivers do not usually need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in America. Your full UK driving licence is recognised throughout the United States for visitors.
However, the exact rules vary by state. Some states may technically require an IDP, and certain car hire companies may request one as part of their policy. If you plan to drive for an extended period, visit multiple states, or want to avoid potential issues at the rental counter, obtaining an IDP before you travel is a sensible precaution.
You can get an IDP from the Post Office in the UK. It costs around £5.50 and is valid for 12 months.
Hiring a car in the United States
Find out all the ins and outs of hiring a car in the US to make an informed decision for your trip.
What do you need to hire a car in the US?
If you are looking at hiring a car while in the US, it is important to research the specific requirements of each agency. Even though the minimum driving age in the US ranges between 16 and 18, most car hire companies do not hire to drivers who are under 21. You will need to have a full UK driving licence and some agencies will require you to have held it for at least a year.
You will need to show your valid passport as proof of ID, and you will need a credit card so you can pay for the deposit on the car. If you don’t have a credit card, you can still hire a car using a debit card with some of the major car hire agencies. You also need to have insurance in order to drive in the US.
Liability insurance is mandatory in most US states, so make sure it is included in your hire agreement. You are also advised to purchase a Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver to protect yourself if the car gets damaged.
Minimum age and under-25 surcharges for UK drivers
Most car hire companies in America require drivers to be at least 21 years old. If you are between 21 and 24, you will typically face an under-25 surcharge, sometimes called a “young driver fee.” This fee varies by company and location, but can add £15–£30 per day to your rental cost.
If you are visiting Michigan or New York, the minimum age to hire a car is 18, though under-25 surcharges still apply. Some premium vehicle categories may have higher age requirements regardless of state.
Tips for hiring a car in the US
When hiring a car in the US, look out for the following details as they might make your car hire experience much easier:
- Most car rental companies do not accept prepaid cards, Maestro or Visa Electron cards, cheques or cash.
- If you’re planning on getting third-party car insurance, take a close look at the hire contract and understand what sort of insurance is already included to avoid paying twice for the same coverage.
- If you’re going on a long road trip and crossing the country, opt for one-way car hire. This might incur additional drop-off fees, and you should also make sure that the agency will let you take the car across state borders.
Search for one-way car hire on KAYAK by selecting ‘different drop-off’ when starting your search.
Search for hire cars
Key US driving rules for UK visitors
Which side of the road do you drive on in the US?
In the US, cars drive on the right side of the road, which is the opposite side to the UK.
Right turn on red
At a red traffic light, you are allowed to turn right after coming to a complete stop, provided there is no oncoming traffic and no sign prohibiting it. This rule applies in most states but always check for “No Turn on Red” signs at intersections.
Four-way stops
When arriving at a stop sign, the car must come to a complete stop behind the white line. You must give priority to traffic on the main road. At a four-way stop (where all approaches have stop signs), the car that arrives first has the right of way. If two cars arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.
Road types in the US
When driving in the US you will find the following types of roads:
- Interstate highways: these are the backbone of transportation in the US and are used for freight, long-distance travel, and regular commutes. You will recognise them by the word “Interstate” written on a red background above the route number, which typically has a blue background.
- State highways: these highways are managed on a state level; their size varies depending on the area, but some can be as big as interstate highways. Each state has different signage for its state highways.
- County highways: these are the smaller highways that are managed on a county level, also called country roads. They vary greatly depending on their location, from dirt roads to multi-lane highways. Much like state highways, the signage for each of these highways is individual and depends on the county.
Speed limits
Speed limits vary by state. Generally speaking, interstate highways have speed limits that can reach up to 85mph and four-lane roads will often have speed limits of around 65mph, while on rural roads you can typically expect limits anywhere from 35mph to 55mph.
In urban areas you will usually find speed limits between 25mph and 35mph. The US uses customary units to measure speed, so you will be relieved to see that speed limits are all indicated in mph.
Motorways & Road tolls
In the US you might pay tolls to drive on highways, to cross bridges and tunnels, or to use an express lane on a highway. Some states, such as Arizona, Wisconsin and Idaho, do not have a toll system.
Each state has a different payment system for toll fees, but for the most part payment is made electronically. If you don’t have an account for automatic payment, you can pay online after your trip. In some cases, you might still be able to pay in cash.
Priority & overtaking
When you find yourself at an intersection which does not have traffic lights, right of way is usually given to the car that arrived first. If two cars arrive at the same time, the one on the right has right of way. While the US doesn’t have many roundabouts, if you do find yourself approaching one, remember that whoever is already on the roundabout has right of way.
Overtaking is allowed on roads with four lanes or more, and on most roads with two lanes as long as there is enough visibility. A car must always overtake on the left. If you are on a two-lane road and a school bus stops, traffic on both sides of the road must stop until the bus leaves.
Alcohol allowance & drink driving
The limit for alcohol consumption and driving in the US for drivers over 21 years of age is 0.08% in most states, although in Utah it is 0.05%. If you are under 21, the limit varies by state and ranges from 0.00% to 0.02%.
Seat belts & Child seats regulations
Seat belts are mandatory in the US, but the rules vary with each state. In some states they are mandatory for all occupants of the car, while in other states they are only mandatory for passengers in the front seat, or for younger passengers in the rear.
Children under 2 years old should generally be in a rear-facing seat, after which they can move to a front-facing car seat with a harness. Once they have outgrown car seats, they should be seated in a booster seat with belt positioning, but child seat laws vary by state.
Penalties & Fines
Each state in the US has its own rules when it comes to penalties, and the same offence could result in fines of very different amounts depending on where you are. Common offences include speeding, not wearing your seat belt and texting while driving. Some states issue much higher fines than others, especially for serious speeding offences, school zones, or construction zones.
Parking
When looking for a space to park, make sure you look out for street signs giving any timing or payment restrictions. In some cities parking spots are colour-coded, but the meanings of the different colours vary depending on the location.
You must always park facing in the same direction as traffic flow, and you should not park across entrances or too close to a fire hydrant, as the required distance varies by state and is often 15ft.
Disabled parking spaces are available in most locations and are usually free for those with a disabled permit.
Fuel
There are three types of petrol available in the US: Octane 87, which is the regular type of petrol, Octane 89-90, which is a mid-grade type, and Octane 91-94, which is premium-quality petrol. Diesel is also available at most stations. You can generally pay for fuel with cash or card, and in most cases you will have to prepay at the cashier before filling the car.
Other things you should know about driving in the US
In addition to the above, here are a few useful pointers that you should know about:
- Interstate “freeway” exits usually have numbers based on mile markers. These numbers generally increase along the route and reset whenever you cross a state border
- If you are driving on a two-lane road and a school bus stops in either lane, traffic must stop in both lanes until the school bus drives off again
- In some states, you can use a mobile phone to talk in the car as long as it’s hands-free. Using a phone to text or send emails is prohibited in all states except Montana.
- If you are pulled over by the police while you are driving, stop the car in a safe place, turn the engine off and turn on the internal light, open the window halfway and place your hands on the wheel (or on the dashboard if you’re in the passenger seat). Upon request, you may need to show your driving licence, car registration and proof of insurance. Avoid making sudden movements as these may be misinterpreted.
Driving in the US – FAQs
Yes, you can drive in the US on a UK licence for up to three months from the day you enter the country. For longer periods, you need an IDP.
The minimum driving age in the US varies by state and can be as low as 18 in New York and Michigan, and 21 for most of the other states.
In most states in the US you need to be 21 to hire a car, except for Michigan and New York where the minimum age is 18.
You need a full UK driving licence held for at least one year, a valid passport, and a credit or debit card for the deposit. Proof of insurance is also required and is usually included in your hire agreement.
The post Driving in the US: a guide for UK drivers. appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
