Im an 18 yr old UK citizen wanting to travel in USA. Can i drive in the USA, or hire a camper van for 3 months?
by admin on Friday, August 27th, 2010 | 4 Comments
I’m wanting to travel round the usa for 3 months in a years time when im very nearly 19 but don’t know if i can drive in the usa. I have a full UK driving license and am a very competent driver. I am even looking to hire a camper van for 3 months… which is possible but i don’t know they will let me drive it if i am only 19. What issues will i need to clear up for all of this to be possible. If not can I just rent a car out and stay in motels?
Cheers
O yh would it be also possible to just buy a car and insure it for like 3 months? i could just buy an old car to get me from a to b couldnt i? prefer to rent tought btw
u can drive in the USA with your UK license. thats no problem, as long as your visiting. but the age is a problem. to rent anything to driv you would need to be at least 21. most places dont rent to ppl under this age. take along someone who is of age and have fun.
You can drive using your license (familiarize yourself with the local laws first, please!)
Renting a car or van is another story. Most companies won’t rent to anyone under 25. And if you don’t have a credit card, it’s even worse.
Poke around the net and see if you can find something.
Good luck.
The driving legality is not a big problem. But please remember that we drive on the right hand side of the road! Under 21 you can forget about renting anything here. However, due to the economic downturn, there are tons of inexpensive used cars. The problem with buying a used car, beyond the car itself, is the registration. You will need a friend or relative, in the USA, willing to handle the registration and insurance for you.
You may legally drive on your U.K. license as a visitor for up tp 6 months, but renting (hiring) a vehicle may be a problem. Most rental (hire) agencies require the driver to be at least 23 and some 25.
You can not buy a car here as a citizen of another country. You would need a driver license issued by the state you purchase the car in, and you can’t get that if you aren’t a resident of that state. Sorry.
Please also note that no state in the U.S. recognizes the so called “International Driver License” as valid. Those are more of a European thing.