Jacko Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Guys, I know Rich (Choptop) mentioned this to me, but just want confirmation as to whether I need to get an international driving licence for my trip in August driving around the above two states? Do I need one? What benefits does it give? How do I get one? How long does it take? Any further info? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Good place to satrt is http://www.drivingpermit.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan73 Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Jacko - you don't need one. your UK driver's licence is sufficient for any rental company. And you only need the photocard - you'll only confuse them if you take the paper bit too Seriously. I spent the first 6 months in CA using my UK drivers licence before getting my California one. I've returned and it's easier to get a rental using my UK licence than my California one. You'll be fine. don't worry. Just enjoy yourself and look out for spotter planes. The police cars do not stand out like ours do and they'll be on your ass before you recognise them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennydies Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Guys, I know Rich (Choptop) mentioned this to me, but just want confirmation as to whether I need to get an international driving licence for my trip in August driving around the above two states? Do I need one? What benefits does it give? How do I get one? How long does it take? Any further info? Thanks in advance No you dont. I did that trip in May last year and am doing it again in October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 look out for spotter planes. Now they were interesting when I was there. The valentine one went mad, I slowed down and watched the plane travel up the interstate turn round and fly back. He did this repeatedly. Only saw two spotter planes. One on approach to LA and the other near Washington. The best one was traveling through a hilly section the detector went mad every time we started to climb a hill. Eventually we spotted a massive radar tower off in the distance. Some day I'll be buying a valentine one. It picked up everything. It would easily pick up cops that were on the other side of a crest giving us plenty of time to reduced speed. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 also driven in california with no need for any other licence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Thanks guys,...... Do I need to be worried about getting hold of a radar detector? I take it then that you are fine using them over there? Surely by the time they go mad anyway then you would be caught?? Don't suppose the rental companies rent them out? Or do I have to just take it very easy anywhere but out in the sticks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Mine was provided by relatives when I got off the plane. A good detector warns you well in advice so you can take it down. A cousin of mine found a ticket on her windscreen one day for having a detector. Cop saw it on the floor. Take you time and enjoy yourself. The US is so big you'll find yourself just cruising enjoying the views. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 look out for spotter planes. Now they were interesting when I was there. The valentine one went mad, I slowed down and watched the plane travel up the interstate turn round and fly back. He did this repeatedly. Only saw two spotter planes. One on approach to LA and the other near Washington. The best one was traveling through a hilly section the detector went mad every time we started to climb a hill. Eventually we spotted a massive radar tower off in the distance. Some day I'll be buying a valentine one. It picked up everything. It would easily pick up cops that were on the other side of a crest giving us plenty of time to reduced speed. Guy Spotter plane? What do they do exactly? surely they don't use planes to catch people speeding?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I have never used a radar detector, haven't driven in the states too much though. My dad hasn't either and he's driven there a lot! Just enjoy the views take it easy in the corners if you have a yank tank. Remember if you get a car with a similar capacity to a zed it'll have about 175 bhp! Unless you have booked something a little special??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 I have never used a radar detector, haven't driven in the states too much though. My dad hasn't either and he's driven there a lot! Just enjoy the views take it easy in the corners if you have a yank tank. Remember if you get a car with a similar capacity to a zed it'll have about 175 bhp! Unless you have booked something a little special??? Yeah well we going to start with a mustang convertible...... change up to a Corvette convertible and also take out the Shelby Mustang...... Could get a zed roadster, but thought as in the states, may as well drive some big gas guzzlers! All in the interest of science you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Good Stuff! I wish I could have got a mustang for my Florida trip. I ended up with a Sebring, it was a top of the line one but was quite pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I signed up to be a Gold member of Hertz before I booked the car. On arrival in Boston they had some convertible Toyota thing lined up waiting for me. Walked into the members checkin and found about 8 others also in the same boat. They'd book online and of course that means you get a Mustang or similar. We all said no thanks to the alternative and got Mustangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacko Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 I signed up to be a Gold member of Hertz before I booked the car. On arrival in Boston they had some convertible Toyota thing lined up waiting for me. Walked into the members checkin and found about 8 others also in the same boat. They'd book online and of course that means you get a Mustang or similar. We all said no thanks to the alternative and got Mustangs. Guy, What does a Gold member of Hertz get you? Do you just sign up for free job or payment? I mean, do you actually have had to use them so many times before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GC350z Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I've only ever used them once. It was free to join and a relative in the US told me to do it as they get free upgrades all the time from it. I think you have to pay now but could be wrong. There's club and gold members now. I'm gold as that was what was free at the time. While in the members checkin I could see into the plebs checkin and people were standing round waiting forever to get their cars. I've been told at the normal checkin they try to sell you all the options incl overpriced tank of gas whereas I signed a piece of paper, got my cousin signed on as a second driver and was out the door and in the car (the right car) in 5mins. So it really doesn't mean much to me but to Hertz it seems to mean you're a more experienced traveller and don't need to put up with the crap. Oh yea one other thing. After joining I book the car through Hertz.ie (I live in Dublin) and it was cheaper than booking from Hertz.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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