The United States of America (USA, US or simply: America) is a federal republic located primarily in North America. Composed of 50 states (48 on the mainland that's bordered by Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the semi-exclave Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean), the US one of the largest and most influential countries in the world in terms of economy, military, culture, and politics. Founded in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, the nation has become a diverse and technologically advanced country.
It houses many iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon and the Golden Gate Bridge, and its capital, Washington, D.C. (though not part of any state, but a federal district and governed by the federal government), is home to the President's residence: The White House, The US Capitol — home to Congress, National monuments and museums — many of which are part of the Smithsonian Institution, and The Supreme Court.
Due to its diverse geography and climate, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and winter storms are likely to happen.
For traffic/driving offences;
Though the US doesn't have on-the-spot fines, officers can issue citations for drivers to pay fines later — mail or online, and camera tickets can be sent to you weeks after the offence occurred. If driving a rental, the company would pay any fine first, then charges your card with the same amount plus a admin fee. If any traffic offences — especially speeding — were committed in school zones, construction zones, major cities or national parks, penalties will be much greater, and if an offence leads to court proceedings, 'court costs' can double the fine. Deadlines for payments are strict — often 2 – 4 weeks. If fines are left unpaid, this would cause extra penalties, issues renting cars again, and possible prevention from re-entering the US.
While English is the official language across the US, Hawaiian is also an official language in Hawaii, and Alaska has 20 other official languages including Iñupiaq, Tanana, Central Alaskan Yup'ik, Dena’ina and Tlingit.
For UK citizens, a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is required, depending on the purpose and length of stay. If traveling for tourism or business for 90 days or less, an ESTA may suffice as long as the traveller is from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country like the UK.
In the US, vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. The minimum age to drive is usually 16, but you generally need to be at least 21 to rent a car (except for states like New York or Michigan where it is 18). However, drivers under 25 may be charged with an additional fee like the 'young driver surcharge', and would be limited to basic vehicles available. UK drivers don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) unless they have an older paper licence, or a rental company requires one. They can also help with translation purposes for police officers.
Roads on interstate highways can be long-distance and fast like motorways, while state highways act similar to A-roads, and roads in cities (streets) have lower speed limits and are very well-lit. Also, the US has many toll roads across the country. Many of these toll roads no longer accept cash. Instead, payment is done by card, or it is mailed to the rental company/vehicle's registered owner.
Right turns on red lights is allowed in many states unless a sign says otherwise. Always stop fully at all stop signs, obey parking signs and meters, and never park in front of fire hydrants, in bus lanes or in handicapped spaces without a permit. And though the US doesn't have national rules about the kind of safety gear you should keep in your vehicle, as it varies per state, but warning triangles, high-vis, and first aid kits are strongly advised.
The most common fuel types in the US are regular (87 octane), midgrade (89 octane) and premium (91 – 93 octane), but diesel is widely available. Most stations are self-service — with the exception of New Jersey, where payment is made either at the pump or inside after filling, but keep in mind as UK credit/debit cards may not be accepted at the pump due to lacking ZIP codes, so do payment inside, and have cash as backup.
Most rental companies use a 'full-to-full' policy. When you return a rental, make sure the tank is full beforehand (unless your agreement states otherwise), or face additional fees that would be higher than fuel rates.
Speed limits can vary significantly between states, with some states like Hawaii having a maximum limit of 60 mph, while others like Texas have some sections (including interstate highways) with 85 mph limits. Also, some states, like Arizona and Florida, may have reduced night-time speed limits on certain roads, especially in areas with wildlife crossings.
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 or older, while the limit in Utah is 0.05%. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.00% – 0.02% depending on state.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.
Children under 13 years must ride in the back seat, while children under 8 or under 4'9" (~145cm) tall must use a belt-positioning booster seat, under 5s in a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether, and infants under 2 in rear-facing seats.
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