Car Hire in America

Tourist information - USA

United States of America, more usually referred to as the United States, the US, the USA or as America, is a federal republic on the continent of North America and is the "Greatest Nation on Earth". Made up from 48 States plus Alaska and Hawaii. There is also various outlying territories including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

The following is general information, each state may have its own local laws that need to be observed.

DRIVE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OVERTAKE ON THE LEFT.

Useful and Important Numbers

Emergency services:

Police 911
Fire 911
Ambulance * 911

Important additional information

911 is the number for emergency calls in North America, This number is reserved for emergency USE only. If you have a situation that requires police assistance in a non urgent way the number to call is: 625-5011

Speed limits

Motorways: 75mph
Urban stretches: 70mph
Dual carriageways: 65mph
Outside built-up areas: 50-65mph
Built-up areas: 25-35mph
In front of a school: 15 mph.

Tolls

There are toll roads and bridges throughout the USA.

Other information

Drinking and driving is forbidden and strictly enforced in all states.

Seat belts

Most states have laws requiring the driver and front passengers to wear seat belts. Many states require children to wear seat belts in the back seats. Most states requires child restraint seats for children under 7.

Driving Age

16 in most states.

Some states will not allow unrestricted driving until 18. Most car rental agencies decline to rent a car to any person under 25. Those who will rent to young drivers require an added surcharge. We are able to rent to drivers of 21 or over so long as they hold a full licence of over 2 years - click here for a car hire quote.

The US highway system

The USA obviously has an extensive system of interstate highways and state maintained roads. Some of the major highways are toll roads often called turnpikes, but the vast majority are free. All major interstate highways running north to south have odd numbers, I-5 on the Pacific coast to I-95 along the Atlantic coast. All interstates running east to west are evenly numbered, I-8 and I-10 near the Mexican border to I-94 near Canada. For a safe rest over from driving use busy, well light gas stations or fast food outlets in preference to "rest stops" which are often dingy and unsafe.

Try here for more information, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/.

MasterCarsDirect offers car hire in the following locations in the USA

Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Houston, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Seattle, South Carolina, St Louis, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and many other locations.