driving in los angeles

Hi

we are coming from australia and are thinking about driving in los angeles on our next trip we are a little hesitant because of the heavy traffic and different foad rules and not mention driving on the other side of the road has anybody done this for the first time and can they give us some tips and information on driving with an australian licence, do we need an international licence we will only be there for 3 weeks.

We wil be starting in West Hollywood hoping to drive to Malibu and tempted to drive to Vegas???

We appreciate any feedback thank you for your time

Brisa :)

driving in los angeles

Having driven in England and Scotland, I would say the main difficulty is the';other side of the road driving.'; Most of the other differences are trivial. The Los Angeles area has the best road signage in the U.S. You don%26#39;t need an international license. You might make inquiry with your local automobile club for any information they might have and to see if they are affilitated with the AAA in the U.S. If so, you would have access to the excellent maps and information of the Automobile Club of Southern California. The West Hollywood office is here: 7100 Santa Monica Blvd. Telephone (323) 525-0018. See www.aaa-calif.com

If particular road rules concern you, see the California Driver%26#39;s handbook: dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm

driving in los angeles

Don%26#39;t be afraid to drive in LA. It%26#39;s the only fun way to get around.

Yes, there%26#39;s traffic. Yes, the rules may be different. And, yes, you%26#39;ll be on the other side of the road (but, you%26#39;re sitting on the other side of the car, so it%26#39;s easier for your brain to make the switch).

The drive to Malibu is great (unless you%26#39;re going on a summer weekend). The drive to Vegas is amazing (unless you%26#39;re going on a Friday afternoon/evening).

One tip: When you%26#39;re confused, pull over and gather your wits. Don%26#39;t drive 10 mph and provoke road rage in other drivers!

It%26#39;s probably good to be hesitant but don%26#39;t let it stop you. As has been said it%26#39;s the best way to get around LA and to places further afield such as Las Vegas. You don%26#39;t need an international licence coming from Australia.

We did it for the first time in 2003. Direct flight Sydney to LAX, off the plane and into a hire car at 2:30pm. We did have a %26#39;navigation error%26#39; getting onto a freeway so the drive to Anaheim was via Hollywood but all good fun.

As for the wrong side of the road, like the OP said, you%26#39;re on the other side of the car so that helps. Also just following the other traffic is a good reminder, the only %26#39;moments%26#39; we had with wrong side of the road were when there was no one else around.

Believe it or not, in comparison to Sydney or Melbourne drivers, LA drivers are courteous, especially on the freeways. But don%26#39;t go too slow.

Once you%26#39;re out of LA on an interstate to Las Vegas or elsewhere it is real easy. You won%26#39;t believe the standard of these roads.

Thank you all so much for all your valuable information and advise

brisa :)