Driving in Orlando

[sashadog]

Hi! We’re hiring a car for the next time we go to Orlando next year (standard 5 seat suv through discount Florida car hire!) I’ve never driven abroad before, so what would be your best hints and tips? A little nervous but really want to do it! 😊

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

The turn right on a red light rule catches most newbies out -

In Florida you’re allowed to turn right at a red light if there are no pedestrians crossing at the junction – just remember to come to a stop first to check it’s safe to do so. Anywhere that this rule doesn’t apply will be fully signposted.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by sashadog

Hi! We’re hiring a car for the next time we go to Orlando next year (standard 5 seat suv through discount Florida car hire!) I’ve never driven abroad before, so what would be your best hints and tips? A little nervous but really want to do it! 😊

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I would suggest that first, you borrow somebody else’s automatic or even hire one if you are nor familiar with automatic cars.

I would have a look at some of the junctions that you are likely to drive through on your vacation and think about how you would negotiate them. Remember the good news that practically every junction that you will use will be either a feeder lane onto or off a major road or alternatively, traffic controlled.

I would reassure myself with the fact that traffic is pretty heavy in the area and that generally, you will be simply following what other people are doing in front of you.

Reconcile your mind with the fact that at traffic light controlled junctions, you can go through a red if you are turning right.. unless it says otherwise.


I would not worry or panic. It is no big deal.

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

The first time you fuel up can be fun too - you have to pre pay before pumping and there are three grades of petrol (gas). Unless you're driving a performance car the cheapest will do.

[Bondy007]

Getting used to an automatic if you've never driven one is probably the hardest part! Other than that, it's pretty easy to be fair. Everywhere is mostly traffic light controlled, 4-way junctions not traffic controlled can be fun... But I only recall coming across one of those and I can't for the life of me remember where it is...!
Got to agree though, that turning right on a red light is a doozy for catching a newbie out...!

Above all though, relax, you'll get accustomed to it pretty quickly..

[sashadog]

Oh excellent some really useful things there! 😬 I am used to an automatic, my husbands work has a car scheme where we swap cars every 6 months and sometimes we get an automatic will remember the turning right on a red thing haha

[Geordie boy 57]

My daughter drove for the first time in 2018 and said she found it easier than driving at home
I have an automatic so she was used to driving mine at home
I drove from airport to villa (With the help of Mick’s directions and Toll pictures)
First morning I took her for a drive around Highgrove
Hadn’t been back in villa 5 mins when she and DW announced they were off to Walmart
After that I couldn’t get the keys off her ( Not that I complained)
She even drove all the way retort Clearwater

[mick]

Apologies for a little self-promotion but I have added a few bits over the years to the DIBB driving in Florida guide.

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Dri...-USA-p-84.html

Never spent a single night in a WDW nor visited a park since 2010 but I do drive a bit.

Mick

PS also desperate to start posting photos of toll plazas again

[Geordie boy 57]

Originally Posted by mick

Apologies for a little self-promotion but I have added a few bits over the years to the DIBB driving in Florida guide.

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Dri...-USA-p-84.html

Never spent a single night in a WDW nor visited a park since 2010 but I do drive a bit.

Mick

PS also desperate to start posting photos of toll plazas again

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Your driving tips and pictures are invaluable Mick
Certainly helped me
On our next trip we plan to fly in Tampa and spend a few days in Clearwater before driving up to Highgrove

[mick]

Originally Posted by Geordie boy 57

Your driving tips and pictures are invaluable Mick
Certainly helped me
On our next trip we plan to fly in Tampa and spend a few days in Clearwater before driving up to Highgrove

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We're due to fly into TPA in a couple of weeks time - what could possibly go wrong? We would have got to Highgate without seeing this famous plaza

Mick