Key tips for renting and driving a car in the US with an Indian license

Driving in America is an exceptionally good experience, but be extra careful with the traffic rules and the challenges that arise due to high speeds.

BHPian vkivaturi recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Some context

After more than a decade, I recently made a couple of very short business trips to the US (one to SF and the other to Boston). I had a US driver's license (DL) that expired way back in 2008. Have been driving in India for 20 years now.

The thing that gets me excited the most is the opportunity to rent a car and drive around. Nothing beats the experience of driving in the US. Nothing. Of course, compared to 15 years back, the situation is somewhat different now.

Few points that might help others who are planning to rent a car in the US on their short trips.

1. In case you have never driven in the US before, it is advisable to be extra careful with the traffic rules and the challenges that arise due to high speeds.
2. Indian driver's license works fine for short trips. No need to carry an international driving permit. Just make sure your India DL is readable, in English, original and is at least a few months away from expiry.
3. I personally prefer renting a car from the airport since the rental company staff there handle lots of foreign drivers, and it is easy to complete the formalities.
4. When renting a car, do not worry about pricing if you are looking at cars in similar categories. Most of the standard vehicles are priced almost similarly.
5. Biggest shock I got was with the additional charges. For a car with $40 listed as a daily rental, we will eventually pay at least $150. This is due to various taxes, super-high insurance charges and a daily toll pass.
6. You can save money by avoiding some insurance components, but why take the risk.
7. SUVs (medium and above) are 4x4s or AWDs. Nice to drive.
8. Compared to my driving experience in the 2000s, the average speed of vehicles has increased. On highways with a 65 mph limit, only I and a few grandmas were at that speed. It looks like +10 mph is the norm these days. But again, as a temporary visitor, why take the risk.
9. Blind spot management is extremely crucial. But with most cars equipped with blind spot warning on side mirrors, this has become very easy. I could not stop smiling every that that indicator blinked red.
10. One other crucial thing I do on such short visits - do not drive right on your day 1 of landing. Just take a cab to the hotel, ask a friend to drive you around, get acclimatized to the roads a bit. Understand the way others are driving, get used to the most common traffic signs.
11. No matter what happens, remember that pedestrians have the right of way in most situations. Be very, very careful and patient.

I got honked at on one or two occasions as I mistook "Yield" for "Stop" sign. In my mind, I was thinking, "Man, don't think your honk worries me. You have no idea what conditions I drive every day."

To sum it up - if you are unsure, then do not rent. But if you rent, just be very aware of the surroundings. Driving in the US is an exceptionally good experience.

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