Petrified!

[Layton79]

Hi I’m visiting Orlando for the first time late May. I’m taking my sister and her two children and I will be the driver for the duration. I’m absolutly petrified! I’m ok with an automatic as I’ve recently started driving one here but the freeways, traffic signals and everything else are making my sick with worry. So any pearls of wisdom for a first timer and is there a website or something I can go on so I can look at traffic lights etc? Sort of practice but not 😂😂

[Shifu]

Google Earth?

Dont know if there is actually much else...some one will know ...all the best, you'll be ok.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

OP. Pop onto the Dibb Guidebook and look under Travel. There are loads of pages about driving, tolls, rental cars etc. Well worth a read.

[k1971]

It's really easy!
Have a look on Youtube at some orlando driving videos to start with maybe?
I was worried for my first time too but all the intersections are virtually identical! and its rare you get a road that's not a dual carriageway!
normally you can turn right at a red traffic light (unless it says otherwise) as long as you come to a complete stop first.
And don't park on the wrong side of the road - you'll get a ticket for that.
but it really is very easy indeed.
my biggest difficulty was figuring out the width of the car, I often straddled a couple of lanes at first but it got much better.
I can't wait to do it again!

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

OP. Pop onto the Dibb Gudebook and look under Travel. There are loads of pages about driving, tolls, rental cars etc. Well worth a read.

See more...

I was the same as the original poster this time last year. I read the guidebook and it settled me down.

Watching the YouTube videos of people’s dash cams driving from the airport to wdw really helped me as well

[landandword17]

OP don't be. I've driven in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and 2,500 miles around the West Coast. If I can do it anyone can! I live in a town that doesn't have a single traffic light and I commute up the motorway and into a business park right off it so all the traffic lights and rules had me worried too before because I rarely encounter them here. But honestly I found it much easier than here and very intuitive once you're there.

The guide here is great and there are also YouTube videos showing Brits how to drive in Orlando and of course Google Maps is great too especially for looking at your trip from the airport.

[DFCH-Andy]

You'll come home preferring to drive in Florida than back here. After a couple of times of turning right on a red light, you'll wonder why we don't do it back here.

[PPM]

OP
Remember the cars wheel is on the other side too, so you, yourself will be positioned next to the centre of the road( just like you are in the UK).

Trust me, after you have driven a couple hours, your body and mind just clicks to the other side and it all becomes natural. The last thing I got used to was looking at the interior rear view mirror, kept looking at the top corner of the door instead, then next morning I just did looked the correct direction automatically.
As others say you will come back to UK thinking it’s easier to drive in Florida than at home

[Lisbon]

You will love driving there, just take your time getting the car mirrors set up, and where the lights / wiper controls are before you leave the car park
Rob

[Layton79]

I knew you would all be so helpful. Thank you. I feel better already. 👍👍