Tips for Renting a car in the Big Apple - New York City USA

Tips for Renting a car in the Big Apple - New York City USA

So you have decided to rent a car in the Big Apple?

At the three major airports New York JFK International, New York La Guardia and Newark Liberty International you can collect a car within minutes of leaving the terminal and head off to a driving adventure in one of the World's most exciting cities.

There are a number of tips you should bear in mind.

General
In the United States, all motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. All road distances are measured in miles.

When making a left-hand turn, give way to traffic crossing or approaching from your right.

Right turns on red lights are allowed unless otherwise posted. You must still come to a complete stop at the red light and yield to any crossing traffic before making the turn.

Automobiles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

License & Insurance
You must carry a valid, current U.S. or Canadian driver license, learner permit or international driving permit for the automobile, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle you are driving. A motor vehicle registered in New York State (NYS) must have liability insurance issued by a company authorized to do business in NYS and licensed by the NYS Insurance Department.

Speed Limits
The speed limits on major highways range from 55–65 mph (88–105 km/h). On secondary and back roads, speeds are typically between 25–45 mph (40–72 km/h). Speed limits are lower in areas where there is active road construction. State and local police take speeding and aggressive driving seriously and strictly enforce the laws.

Mobile Phone Use
NYS law bans the use of hand-held mobile telephones while you drive except to make emergency calls to 911 or medical, fire or police personnel. Using a hands-free device while driving is acceptable.

Drinking & Driving
Drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced. Conviction of a driving while intoxicated offense may result in loss of license, fines and jail time.

Child & Infant Safety
NYS law requires all drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Children under the age of 16 must wear seat belts whether they are in the front or back seat. State law also requires all children under the age of four to ride in safety seats and children ages four, five and six to ride in child restraint systems.

Infants that weigh less than 22 pounds or are less than 25 inches in length or are less than one-year old must ride in an infant seat in the back seat facing the back of the vehicle. Never put an infant in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger-side air bag.

Infants and toddlers who are more than a year old and weigh 40 pounds or less may face the front of the vehicle from the back seat using a convertible child safety seat.

Booster seats are for children who are four to eight years old, weigh 40 to 80 pounds and are less than four feet, nine inches in height. You can use a booster seat until an adult seat belt correctly fits the child without use of the booster seat.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions when deciding which type of safety seat is appropriate for your child. Contact your local police station for help in installing a safety seat or to inspect your seat.

Don't lock the block!
Do not contribute to grid-lock! Enter an intersection only if you're sure you can make it through! In some locations gridlock is not only obnoxious, but it's illegal and subject to fine. Even more compelling -- with the proliferation of handguns and lethal weapons, who knows when a crazy driver will take a few shots at you for blocking his/her way.

Alternate-side of the street parking regulations!
Check the red signs with the street cleaning symbol to make sure you don't have to move your car the next day. This is NYC's attempt to give the street sweepers a chance to clean the streets. For information and a calendar, visit the DOT's page or call the hotline at (212)/(718)225-5368.

Towing information -- how to get your car back!
Call the local police station to find out towing information whereby they'll most likely direct you to the Department of Transportation. Most cars are kept in a warehouse on the west side of Manhattan near the pier.

How to prevent car theft
Leave nothing valuable showing in the driver's cab. When placing belongings into the trunk, do so before finding a parking spot. Many car burglars hide and watch people place valuables into the trunk then strike after the driver has left. If something is valuable to you, carry it with you! Some people leave nice signs informing robbers that there's nothing valuable inside the car.

Don't honk the horn unless absolutely necessary
Some areas (ie. Holland Tunnel entrance) forbid the sounding of the car horn, with a fine of $100 for violators. This is usually found in areas with a large number of residences.

Don't open your window to strangers
If some one approaches your car at a stop light to either ask for money, wash your windows or sell you something, try to ignore them. If you do, for some reason, feel inclined to give the person money, remove it very discretely from your pocket. Then open the window a crack and slide the money through it. An open window in a car makes you a very vulnerable target. (This tip sent in by a visitor named Yorky)

Remember enjoy your self and stay safe.