Before you leave:

• Before you leave the rental location check you have located all the functions on your car such as headlights, indicators and wipers etc.  Almost without exception Florida hire cars are automatic, and the gear shift may be in the normal 'between seats' position, or it may be a 'stick' style off the driving wheel.  Some drivers find it helps when first adjusting to an automatic to tuck their 'clutch foot' firmly under the seat to avoid the chances of putting the left foot on the brake pedal inadvertently.  The handbrake may also be a footbrake located in the foot-well, or a pull lever on the dash.

Children and Safety:

• Infant carriers or children's car seats must be used for children three years of age and younger. For children aged 4 and 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a seat belt may be used in the rear of the vehicle only.

• All front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.

• Always drive on the RIGHT hand side of the road.

Florida Laws:

• Florida law requires you to carry your licence, and rental papers showing proof of insurance with you at all times.

• If you are stopped by a police officer for any reason, remain in your car,  they will approach you.  A police car is always clearly marked.

• When approaching a STOP sign, all 4 wheels must come to a complete stop and yield to all traffic currently in the junction before proceeding when the road is clear.   When entering a 4 way stop, the car should again come to a complete stop before traffic enters the junction in a 'first come first served' order.

• On a two way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus which is picking up or dropping off children. You must always stop if you are moving in the same direction as the bus and you must remain stopped until the bus stop signal is withdrawn. If the highway is divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, you do not have to stop if you are moving in the opposite direction of the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers. You must always stop if you are moving in the same direction as the bus and you must continue until the bus stop signal is withdrawn.

• Keep to the speed limit.  In Municipal Speed Areas 30mph, Business or Residential Area 30mph, Rural Interstate 70mph, Limited Access Highways 70mph, All Other Roads and Highways 55mph, and School Zones 20mph. On some roads you will also see a minimum speed posted to keep traffic moving.

• Under Florida law there is NO drinking and driving.  As well as breaking Florida law, if you drink and drive you will invalidate your car hire insurance.  It is also illegal to carry alcohol in the main body of the car.  Purchased alcohol must be carried, unopened, in the trunk of the vehicle.

• Drive front end into parking spaces, the number plate is only displayed on the rear of the vehicle and should be on display at all times.

Driving Tips:

• If your vehicle is bumped from behind while in motion DO NOT STOP on a roadway or hard shoulder.  Drive to the nearest public area and telephone for police assistance.

• If you are signalled by another motorist of problems with your vehicle whilst driving DO NOT STOP until reaching a service station or public area.

• DO NOT STOP for flashing WHITE lights, U.S. emergency vehicle lights are either RED or RED and BLUE.

• Do not pick up hitch hikers.

• If someone on the road indicates that they need assistance, DO NOT STOP.

• Traffic lights are usually suspended above the road junction.  At most intersections, after stopping, you may turn right on red if the way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO TURN ON RED" sign, which you must obey.

• Many cities are introducing traffic cameras to catch 'red light runners'.

• Street names are usually suspended over the junction following the line of the road.  So if you are at traffic lights the name of the street hanging directly in front of you is the one you are crossing, not the one you are on.

• In theory you can pass in any lane, but it is good practise to stick to passing on the right. Equally, remember to check both mirrors before moving to pass, as traffic could be either side of you.   'Tailgating' is also frowned upon!

• It is advisable to keep the doors locked when travelling.  Many cars do this automatically when the car reaches a certain speed.

• Keep your windows closed to allow the air conditioning to work.

• If you need to use your wipers due to rain, it is compulsory to also use your headlights.  After prolonged dry spells the roads can become extremely slippy when it rains - this is often called 'Florida Ice' - for a good reason!

• Plan journeys before leaving your accommodation.  Many 'tourist' maps don't include roads if they feel tourists will have no need for them, this also prevents tourists straying into residential or less safe areas.  If you hire a Sat Nav unit, it is still useful to have a picture of the route you will take in your head to avoid travelling though less desirable areas.

• Toll roads are a useful and quick way to avoid traffic snarl ups, but make sure that you have enough loose change to pay the tolls.  Some smaller toll stations are not manned and may require exact coinage only, so it is always worth keeping a few quarters in the car.  If you find that you do not have the correct change, or the machine swallows your money, don't panic, just exit the toll station to keep traffic moving.  Rental companies will not normally chase you for toll money, but if you make a practise of it they will charge your card.  Most rental companies now have Sun Passes fitted which allow you to move through the Sun Pass channel on the toll plaza.  There is a charge for activating and using this service - please speak to the desk clerk at your rental location if you think this may be useful for you.