Driving Licence

[shazcat]

Hi

This is my second time in Orlando, but first as a driver. Do I have to show both parts of my driving licence - the paper bit and the card when I go collect the hire car?

I am a bit nervous about driving and would welcome any tips to make me a better driver whilst I am there.

Thanks

[Simon Veness]

Yes, you definitely need to take both parts of your driving licence with you. Many car hire desks won't ask to see the paper part, but you do need it, just in case.

As regards driving here, it is pretty simple once you get going, as the cars are SO easy to drive (all automatics and practically new). If you are worried about navigating, most companies can now supply GPS systems (or you can bring your own), but we also recommend getting a good map in advance, and the best (by far) is this one:

www.orlandomaps.co.uk

The best advice is to take things nice and easy until you get the hang of the local roads. Most places are easy to find but a little harder to find your way out of! Learning to navigate by road numbers rather than names is also pretty essential at times.

Feel free to ask more ???s as they occur to you :happy-thumb

PS: welcome to the wonderful ATD forums, shazcat!!

[LeonieM]

My hubby may have a problem this year because he's mislaid his driving licence. He really needs to send off for a new one, as his old one had fallen to pieces anyway. This means he probably won't be allowed to drive while on holiday this year.

No hardship there, seeing as he usually takes it into his head to go off in his own direction despite my map reading next to him! lol

Thing is - and no I'm not trying to break the law - is it absolutely forbidden for him to drive in the US even though he does obviously have a full UK licence if he hasn't shown it when we collect the car? I mean, we've never been stopped by the police for any reason, but that's not to say that it is impossible.

I just want to be able to tell him categorically (if it is the case) that he cannot and must not drive unless he's got his licence with him.

Cheers

[Catlady]

I believe US law says you must carry your driving licence with you while driving so he would be breaking the law by not having it with him.
Has he not got time to apply for a new licence? Think you can do it online these days, that's if you want him to drive!

[LeonieM]

As it's 3 weeks today (yay) and bearing in mind Easter weekend falls this weekend, there's no way the DVLA would ever get their bums into gear to get anything back to him in time for us to go.

I have a sneaky feeling he's already sorted it. I can't ask him at the moment as he's on nights (another yay).

As my brother and I will both have a car and will be going out together for at least half the holiday, I'm sure we won't need hubby to drive as well anyway.

[Tiggers Friend]

I am a bit nervous about driving and would welcome any tips to make me a better driver whilst I am there.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum shazcat. You will find driving in the US very easy as Simon says (sounds like a game :)), much easier than the UK. Just remember that in the US you can be overtaken on either side, so check both mirrors when making moves.

[Susan Veness]

Not only are you required to have your license on you whenever you drive, you must also have your registration with you (in the case of a hire car, keep your hire car details in the glove compartment and use those). You'll also need proof of insurance with you if, heaven forbid, you are in an accident.

[LeonieM]

When he got in this morning and before he fell asleep (I hadn't got up yet) I said to him "Two words - driving licence."

He said "Oh sh**!"

He then said no problem, he'll apply for one. Don't be daft, I replied, you won't get one now - not with the DVLA being what they are and Easter falling in the middle! "I'll get a form off tomorrow" he said. "That'll be too late." I insisted.
"Okay, today!" he replied.
"Forget it!" I said. "You won't be allowed to drive without it and that's the end of the matter."
"Oh, I'll risk it." he muttered.
"Oh no you bl**dy well won't!" was my final word on the matter.

[Catlady]

Tell him to try applying for one online, it might arrive in time and if it doesn't well he hasn't got one anyway so what has he got to lose?

[LeonieM]

I spoke to him a little while ago, and he says he's sorted it out and it will apparently take 14 days. I said that's no good, because they mean 14 working days, not calendar days, and of course there's Easter in between.

Still, if it arrives then fair enough. I personally think it'll turn up a couple of days after we've left!

[Mikey D]

Hi

This is my second time in Orlando, but first as a driver. Do I have to show both parts of my driving licence - the paper bit and the card when I go collect the hire car?

I am a bit nervous about driving and would welcome any tips to make me a better driver whilst I am there.

Thanks

Shazcat,

Welcome to the forum.

The hire car will be an automatic, in one sense easier as you will not have to clutch down and change gear, however slighting confusing to start with.

Take it easy, plan your journey and allow plenty of time to get to where you need to get to and you will be fine.

mikey d

[marksarahL]

When we went last may, we were flying out at 13:30 on a Saturday, I started getting ready when i thought to myself Driving licence:confused:, i had just finished packing all my items into boxes as we were moving house when we got back and i ended up having to rip them all open as i only had the card part and could not locate the paper part:cry:, after opening all the boxes i still could not find it so i had to ring my workplace, who checked all over my office and eventually found it.

As it was approaching the time for me to have to leave for the airport they had to send the wagon over to my house with the paper part as i would never have made it there and to the airport (at this point i had decided i would have to go without it and i would not be able to drive and it would put a downer on the holiday). Anyway he made it in record time i made it with lots of time to spare at the airport and when i arrived at the rental desk at sanford she only wanted the card part, at this point i made her look at the paper part for all the stress i went through:angry:.

But i agree that you need both parts as you never know what they will want to see and if you dont have the required parts you will not get the car.:happy-thumb

[richard214]

hi

we're hiring a car in orlando but mine and my wifes driving licence are the old type a pink and green sheet that folds into a plastic wallet are these still ok??

[Tiggers Friend]

Yes it is, I've used mine like this right up to last year and will be again in 10 days!

[richard214]

cheers tigger ! :)

hope you have a good one:happy-thumb

[palmer gang]

you will it pretty straight forward driving in florida check a map before you set out so that you know what exit you want ,the rental car should come with driving tips in it generally american drivers are pretty tollerant but there always exceptions .Remember when pulling out at a junction or crossing a main road to look left first and not right as you do in the UK you will soon pick it up have a great time:happy-thumb