The United States is usually more suitable for automobile compared to public transportations. Travelling by car is thus a good way to get around to see sights of the country, whether you are planning a complete road trip, or just using a leg of your trip by taking a car to visit the cities. Here is a guide we have prepared to help you familiarized yourself with driving in the USA.
Driving is on the right with the steering wheel on the left-hand side of the car. Since traffic rules differ from state to state, it is better to review the regulations for each individual state in which you are planning to drive. Pedestrians have the legal right of way in all states.
Speed LimitThe speed limit varies from state to state, butis of 65 miles per hour (equals110 km p/h) in the majority of the states. Speed limit is frequently monitored by radar guns.
Traffic SignsMany US states comply with the same road signs standard, but some of the states and large cities such as New York City have adopted an extent of localization or a supplement.
Although there is a variety of regulatory signs throughout different states, they are usually self-explanatory, with explicit wordings marked on the signs.
 Stop |  Yield(Give Way) |  Yield to Pedestrians, New York City |  Passing Zone Ends |  Passing Zone Begins |  No Parking |  No Parking; Here to corner |  No Parking; Except Sundays |
Among regulatory signs, there is one category which indicates ‘No Standing’, and may be unfamiliar for foreign visitors or international travellers. ‘No standing’ signs indicate that stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers is allowed, while parking is not allowed. The signs are also usually red on white, but local variations exist.
 No Standing Any Time |  No Standing Any Time New York State |  No Standing Cars Towed Away, Baltimore |
Warning signs feature yellow background colour and black pictogram, with a few exceptions.
 Road Slippery When Wet |  Curve With Speed Advisory |  Stop Ahead |  Yield Ahead |  Railroad Crossing(Crossbuck) |  Railroad Crossing Ahead |
Information signs provide guidance and feature rectangular shape.
 Toll Road Pass Only |  Toll Road Pass or HOV 2+ |  Toll Costs at Intersections or HOV 2+ |  Hospital Sign |
You may refer to this for the unified standard that is used by the states.
Seatbelt LawsAll drivers and passengers are regulated by law to wear seatbelts. A fine applies if a driver or passenger is caught without a seatbelt on.
Booster Seat LawsEven though regulations vary by state, almost all states require children to be in a child seat facing backwards in the front of a car, or facing forward in the rear. As a minimum guide, children should use a booster seat until they reach 36kg to 45kg or 145cm high.
For a specific guidance regarding child safety rules, you may click here.
ParkingYou must always park in the direction of the traffic flow on the near side of the road. Often, parking spaces are diagonally aligned and ‘head-in’, which means the front of your car must be facing the pavement (sidewalk).
· Parking Restriction
In some cities, parking restrictions are indicated by the kerb colour; for example, a red kerb indicates no parking at any time, a yellow kerb may signify a limited truck loading zone, a green kerb indicates a limited parking period, a blue kerb for disabled parking only, and a white kerb passenger loading and unloading. No parking areas, for example, at street corners, may be indicated by yellow lines. Therefore, you should always read all pavement markings carefully.
· Paid Parking
Parking in most cities and towns isn’t usually a problem and on-street parking is usually metered, along with permissive parking signs specified with a restricted amount of time. It’s advisable for you to estimate your parking time and reserve a bit more parking fee as a precaution to avoid the fine for overtime parking.
The signs are green and white, and local variations do occur with additional information or slightly different designs.
 Parking with Time Restrictions |  Parking With Time Restrictions New York City |
Fuel PricesThe average price for USA gasoline and diesel during July to October 2017 is US$0.74.
TollIt has more than 5,000 miles of toll roads in the USA. From bridge and tunnel tolls to express and high occupancy lanes, most states have some sort of toll road system.
Nowadays most tolls are collected electronically via transponders that are typically placed on the windshield of the vehicle. As many toll roads no longer accept cash. It is recommended to check the individual websites of each state's toll system to inform yourself about the payment options along with your route.
If you are hiring a vehicle from Enterprise, National or Alamo in the USA, you can review and pay the tolls online via Highway Toll Administration site; if hiring from Avis or Budget, you can check the e-toll site. For Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Advantage, toll charge can be checked on PlatePass.
DUI LawsDepending on states, drivers are charged with a fine or a crime with 0.08% or 0.05% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) limit by volume.
Traffic FinesExtra care should be applied to abide speed limit when driving in the United States, as speeding fines can be ranging from $36 to $1000 for first-time breaker states by states. A Nation-wide average speeding ticket is US$150.
Failing to understand and follow the parking signs will potentially result in a hefty fine. This is especially the case for big cities like San Francisco, New York City and Chicago. For example, stopping, standing or parking where signs, road markings or traffic control devices do not permit you to do so will incur a fine of US$115 in New York City. In San Francisco, obstructing traffic without a permit in San Francisco will result in a fine as high as US$1000.
Failure to pay traffic infringement fines will likely result in your car rental company collecting the fee from you, with an additional administration charge. These policies are generally illustrated in the terms of the contract on which you signed at the rental desk. For any further questions concerning these matters, you are welcomed to contact QEEQ’ 24/7 customer service team for assistance.
Q1.What is an insurance excess？
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
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Customer Service
April 9, 2025
Destination: New York
Staff tried to upsell insurance that was not needed, will never use them again
View moreApril 9, 2025
Destination: Memphis
A pretty smooth experience in general. But they need to do a much better job of signposting their drop off locations. They seem to be closely guarded secrets!
View moreApril 9, 2025
Destination: Hawaii - Oahu Island (honolulu)
とても綺麗な最新型の車で快適でした！乗り心地も最高でした！ 楽しいドライブが出来ました！
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
The service was satisfactory, with no additional sales of extra charges.
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Excellent!
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: Las Vegas
Very satisfied.
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Very good.
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: Orlando
I rented from Hertz in two locations, and the experience was quite good.
View moreApril 8, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Convenient
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Very satisfied.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
Very satisfied with QEEQ's service. Their service and value for money are indeed the best.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Denver
Made the right choice.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
Very good
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Philadelphia
The staff, especially the slim girl, was very nice.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Kansas City
The front desk assigned me an unclean car twice, and the second car they gave me had a dragging chassis and noise issues. I decided not to go back to the front desk and got a clean car reassigned at the pickup lot. However, there ended up being an additional $35 charge, and I have no idea why. The front desk staff avoided answering specific questions, only saying she's been working for 10 years and asking me to trust her. Even calling Avis customer service didn't resolve anything after a lengthy inquiry.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Denver
It's okay.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Phoenix
A little slow at check in
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Very satisfied, all issues were promptly resolved.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: Orlando
Good company, cheap and helpful
View moreApril 6, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
There were hardly any people when picking up the car. The process was quick and smooth. The car was in the nearby parking lot, the directions were clear, and it was easy to find.
View moreApril 6, 2025
Destination: Santa Ana
Very satisfied
View moreApril 6, 2025
Destination: Dallas
Satisfied
View moreApril 6, 2025
Destination: Atlanta
Very good.
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: Cincinnati
The reservation charges were not upheld and the car company charge additional charges
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
The queue was a bit long, and there were not enough staff.
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: Hawaii - Oahu Island (honolulu)
親切にしてもらった
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: Washington
The customer service agent was quite helpful, gave me an upgrade when my iPhone 15 charger that I could have used for the multimedia in the first car was not compatible with it.
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: Boston
I will not book with hertz again due to their ridiculous toll policy - super confusing and expensive - Avis, Alamo and budget much better.
View moreApril 4, 2025
Destination: Hawaii - Hawaii Island
Very satisfied
View moreApril 4, 2025
Destination: Phoenix
Free upgrade for the vehicle model.
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: New York
Quick pickup, excellent vehicle condition, and attentive service.
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: Las Vegas
Great service.
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
Very satisfied.
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: Orlando
I was told to complete pre pick up registration which would mean the car would be ready to pick which I did. When I arrived my name wasn’t on the board so I went to the Avis Preferred desk as detailed in my instructions from QEEQ but they knew nothing about me and directed me back to the terminal. By now a line had formed and I had to wait half an hour. Filling in the pre pick up details was a waste of time and then caused me a delay when collecting
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: Detroit
Avis were great except for the initial pickup. There was a long wait for the shuttle bus and the counter was very busy and very slow - under manned? However, no hard sell of extras, just took the card deposit and handed over the keys.
View moreApril 3, 2025
Destination: Austin
Do not use Budget car rentals! I reserved a Camry but ended up getting a Kia. When I asked the front desk, they said there were no Camrys available and that I had only booked a similar model. At the pickup location, I saw a Camry parked right across from me. This is just a minor issue. Onsite, they insisted I buy a highway day pass for $13 a day. I declined, but the front desk clerk—a rude lady—was visibly displeased and still charged my credit card $50 as a prepaid toll fee, along with a $200 deposit for the car. Three weeks after returning the vehicle, that $250 is still being held with no updates. Even that I can tolerate. The scary part is that starting yesterday, I started receiving bills from an ETC company I never registered with. They charged my credit card—provided to the car rental company—$10 on the first day and $25 on the second day in the city I returned the car. This is theft! Renting a car for just one day caused so much trouble. Avoid these lousy American rental companies!
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Corona
Satisfied
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Boston
Satisfied
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Eugene
Excellent and very new car.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Raleigh
It gives a friendly and relaxing vibe.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Portland
Very satisfied.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Santa Ana
The overall service was great, and the process was very fast. QEEQ offers free one-way car rentals, which is extremely convenient.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Houston
There were hidden charges.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
The overall service was average, and the condition of the cars was not very good. Initially, they didn't provide a vehicle from the same group, and I had to switch cars twice. The condition of the cars remained unsatisfactory.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: Seattle
Not bad.
View moreApril 2, 2025
Destination: San Francisco
Satisfied!
View moreApril 1, 2025
Destination: New Orleans
Standard service, very reliable.
View moreApril 1, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
Very satisfied.
View moreApril 1, 2025
Destination: Phoenix
The wait time in line was very long; I waited over an hour for the early-morning flight.
View moreApril 1, 2025
Destination: Los Angeles
The front desk staff was quite nice.
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