Question:

Is there an American version of "The Highway Code"?

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I wish to drive in America soon and I need to know the rules of the road. There may well be some fundamentally different rules to the UK which I need to know.

For example, when joining a motorway in the UK, it is the responsibility of the person joining to give way to traffic already on the motorway. In some European countries this rule is different. It may well be different in America, I don't know.

So is there a comprehensive and official document, or book, which explains America's rules of the road?

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  1. Each state has it's own rules and regulations. And it's own 'Vehicle Code' If you google the name of the state and the words 'vehicle code', (I think) you can get all states' code on line.

    Google "ca vehicle code", and you get the California Vehicle Code. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.h...

    Google "ga vehicle code", and you get the Georgia Vehicle Code. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd...

    Google "ny vehicle code", and you get the New York Vehicle Code. www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/automotive-law/v...

    Most of these don't do you any good. You won't find anything out about a particular law if you don't know the code for it.

    What is really different might be the terminology. You said"when joining a motorway in the UK, it is the responsibility of the person joining to give way to traffic already on the motorway." I don't know exactly what this means. Would a 'motorway' be a 'freeway'?  or just a 'highway'?  What do you mean by 'give way'? To yield to cars already there?

    Most times you enter a freeway by merging into traffic. The entryway is usually a ramp, with a short lane alongside the first lane of traffic. You merge into a spot as you would change lanes. Some people talk of 'letting someone in', but in most instances this is wrong thinking. One should never slow down to 'let someone in', they should be able to merge comfortably. Many people avoid driving in the rightmost lane so they don't have to deal with cars merging in.

    One of the biggest things that seems to bother people from the UK and the EU is that we're allowed to travel in the inside lane, that they look at as a passing lane. Sometimes a more rural road might have a marked passing lane, but a multilane freeway does not.

    If there is a book that explains all states' rules of the road it would more likely be available at some travel accessories store. Places where one can purchase luggage, road maps of foreign citied and countries, 110/220 volt transformers, etc.

    For the most part driving rules are the same, kinda. It's usually the little stuff that is different. In California you are allowed to make a right turn against a red light, and will get a ticket for jaywalking. In New York you'll be cited for the right turn on red, if the cop feels like it, but probably not for jaywalking.

    Look at eack states' web site (above).Many have a driver's manual that explains the basics. You can also get one via snail mail.

    Good luck.


  2. Absolutely!

  3. Try this site and good luck..................

    http://www.americandrivingsociety.org/fo...

  4. 1. Make sure you carry a gun.

    2. Highway speed 55mph

    3. Do not speed - coppers carry guns.

    4. Do not crash into anyone - they carry guns

    5. Don't stop in some areas - everyone Carry's guns

    Failing that go to the American Embassy website all the details are on there with links.

    Do not mention the War

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