Car Rental NYC - Driving Tips In NYC

What You Need To Know

Driving in New York is not for the inexperienced driver; however there are a few things to keep in mind while driving in the city that will help make it a better experience, especially when trying to get the most out of a luxury car.

Car Rental NYC - Driving Tips In NYC

First and most important, never drive while under the influence of any alcohol, especially while in New York. The city has recently stepped up their penalties for DWI, so it may even be a good idea not to have that 'one glass of wine'.

The next thing to note is very important, but probably something that you would not expect; you are not allowed to turn right on a red light while in NYC. This is true for all intersections unless stated otherwise.

It is very important that you do not contribute to grid lock while driving in the city; the locals will not take kindly to this. This means that you should not proceed into an intersection unless you are confident that you will be able to make it all the way through. Believe it or not this is illegal and you can be fined for "locking the block", and not to mention the fact that you will have to deal with the extremely irritated other drivers.

If you happen to get towed while in New York, the best way to get your car back is to call the local police station, they can then direct you to the Department of Transportation. Most cars are taken to a warehouse on the west side of Manhattan.

To prevent car theft, never leave anything visible in the car, and make sure that if you are putting things in the trunk, that you do so before you park, as you never know who is watching. If something is valuable to you and you want to make sure that it doesnt get stolen, the best is just to take it with you.

Make sure not to honk unless absolutely necessary, as some areas, for example the Holland Tunnel entrance, do not allow the use of a horn, and you can be fined $100 for violating. This is also common in areas where there are a large number of residences.

And finally, never open your window to strangers; ignore anyone that comes up to your car either to wash the windows, ask for money, or try to sell you something, as having an open window makes you a very vulnerable target.

Driving Regulations In NYC
As long as you are over the age of 16, and have a valid drivers license, you can drive in New York. However be sure to remember that you are not allowed to drive while talking on a cell phone (you could receive a fine of $100), you must wear a seat belt, and if there is a child under the age of four, they must be in a federally approved child safety seat (regardless of weight).

Parking In NYC
Parking in New York can be a little different than most places, due to alternate-side of the street regulations. Always make sure to check the red signs with the street cleaning symbol just in case you may have to move your car the next day. This gives street sweepers a chance to clean the streets. For further information there is a hotline that you can call at (212)/(718) 225-5368.

It is also important to know what the signs mean, if you come across a sign that says "No Stopping" you are not allowed to park, wait, pick up or drop off someone, or pick up a package. If there is a sign that says "No Standing" you are allowed to pick up or drop off someone but that is all, and if there is a "No Parking" sign you are allowed to pick up or drop off someone, and pick up a package or unload merchandise, but you are not allowed to wait.

If you come across a broken meter in you parking travels, you are allowed to park for a maximum of one hour, if a meter is missing you are allowed to park up to the maximum time allotted by the sign (an hour for a 1-hour meter, 2 hours for a 2-hour meter, etc.). However, if you come across a broken meter and there is other metered parking available, you must park in the functional metered spot.


Speed Limits In NYC

• 55 MPH for Highways
• 35 MPH for suburban business or residential district
• 25 MPH for a non-suburban business or residential district
• 25 MPH for a school zone

Legal Drinking And Driving Limit In NYC
In NYC there are two different levels of severity when driving while impaired. If you have a blood alcohol content of 0.10 or higher you are considered "Driving While Intoxicated" and for a first offence you can receive a $1000 penalty, up to one year in jail, and get your license revoked for a minimum of 6 months. If you have a BAC of .05-.09 you are considered "Driving While Ability Impaired" and for a first offence you can receive a $500 fine, up to 15 days in jail, and get your license revoked for 90 days. If you are under 21 years of age, you are part of what is considered "Zero Tolerance" where if you are found to have a BAC of .02-.07, there is a minimum penalty fee of $125 and a 6 month license suspension, and a $100 suspension termination fee to get your license back.

Traffic Reports
Most radio stations have traffic reports every couple minutes, so it is a good idea to listen and see if you are heading into a messy situation or not. For a full list of New York radio visit www.nyradioguide.com. Or visit www.metrocommute.com before you leave, which gives you an up to date traffic report online.

Helpful Telephone Numbers In NYC

• AAA
  Branches:
  Brooklyn - 2334 Ralph Ave.
  Manhattan - 1881 Broadway at 62nd St.
  Nassau - 229 Seventh St. off Franklin Ave., Garden City
  Queens - 186-06 Hillside Ave., Jamaica
  Suffolk - 729 Smithtown Bypass, Route 347, Smithtown
  Westchester - 111 Brook St., Scarsdale
  Emergency Roadside Assistance: 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357)
  
• New York Police (non-emergency): 311
• Police, Fire, Ambulance: 911