If you are planning for a road trip in the USA and this is your first time to the USA, there are various things you should keep in mind, before driving. USA isnt India, which is broken, unorganized, poor roads, poor administrations, corrupt police, etc. USA is an amazing country, with everything so well organized, you might feel its a dream coming true while driving in the USA and might decide to never ever drive in India again.

1.  Cars in the USA are LHD (Left Hand Drive). If you are from India, then its kind of very awkward to drive on completely different side and on the complete opposite side of the road. If you are not very confident with your driving skills, you should not be driving in the USA, as the road rules in the USA are very very strong. 
2. You should be very clear to each and every road rules and regulations in the USA. You may go through this link. 
3. You will need valid driver’s license to rent a car. Indian driving license is valid in USA, for 90 days. If you are planning for a longer time, then you need to get your international driving license done from your city RTO office. 
4. You will also need a valid credit card to rent a car. No car rental company in the USA is going to hand over their car to you, without a valid credit card. The car rental normally puts a hold of 200$ to the credit card as security. The hold is removed, once you drop off the car successfully to the car rental drop off location. And make sure, you buy proper insurance for the car as well. 
5. Speed Limit is most of the american roads are very strictly taken. Almost all the roads are radar enforced. Dont try to speed up thinking its India, where you can go unnoticed. 
6. Use a good GPS or Sygic App on your smartphone. Avoid using Google Maps. The best tested app is Sygic, which even warns you about speed limits with alarm, etc. Amazing app to make your road trip successful. 
7. You should be aware and known to all the road signs in the USA. Go through this link. 
8. You should not be driving on the Car Pool Lane if you are alone. The penalty for this is 500$. The Car Pool lane is normally on the left of the driving lane, but it should be separated with a yellow line. The California Department of Transportation states the purpose of carpool lanes is to move as many people in as few cars as possible. Each vehicle that travels in a carpool lane must carry the minimum number of people posted at the freeway entrance signs, typically at least two, but sometimes three people. 
9. In USA, the penalty is termed as ticket. The cops will give you a ticket if you do some mistake while driving. 
10. If you are ever stopped by the police in the car, DONOT come out of the car or open the door immediately. Simply, stop the car and wait for the police to come near to your door. You should never come out of the car, unless asked. Or you might get shot. 

Author

Soumendra An indie filmmaker, storyteller and a computer evangelist. Keeps traveling all over the world, and clicks only when he likes it.