Car rental in Houston

In a large city it can be quite difficult to find parking. The best option is usually an underground car park, where it is much easier to find a space. When leaving the car, remember your bay or space number so you can easily find the car when you return.

Some of the most expensive car parks are located near the city centre. The cost of parking here can vary from $ 5 to $ 15. Payment is taken when leaving the car park, and in most cases you will need to pay at a parking machine. Parking on the outskirts of Houston will be much cheaper. An hour of parking in the suburban areas is about $ 1.

When crossing major cities in the USA, motorways are divided into three types:

• Federal highways, crossing multiple states.
• American highways.
• Highways operating only within a particular state.

This classification has no clear boundaries and is largely formal, but it is worth noting that the quality of the road surface on federal highways is generally noticeably higher than on the others.

As for speed limits, always pay close attention to the road signs. There are many of them in Houston, and you do not need perfect English to understand what is required. This is especially important for observing speed limits, as fines for speeding in the city are high.

• Driving while intoxicated is considered a serious offence. Violations of drink-driving laws incur heavy fines, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
• When driving a car in Houston, do not keep an open bottle of alcohol in the passenger compartment. This is an offence and can result in a fine. It is safer to transport alcohol in the boot of the rented car.
• Local traffic police officers rarely stop motorists without reason. If you are signalled to stop, you should comply with the officer’s instructions and listen to the explanation of the offence. It is likely that some rule has been broken for which you will be penalised.

Paying fines directly on the road in Houston is not recommended. With this method it is almost impossible to prove that the driver has paid the fine and has not given a bribe to an officer. It is better to pay fines in cash, by credit card or debit card directly at a bank. After payment, the driver receives a receipt, which is considered an official document.

It is better to pay all fines issued by the traffic police as soon as possible. If payment is not made on time, even a delay of one day can lead to the loss of your driving licence. What fines can be imposed? For violations of traffic rules. The driver may have to pay in the following cases:

• The fine for parking in a space reserved for disabled drivers is $ 250.
• If the driver leaves the car on the hard shoulder of the motorway, the police will call a tow truck at the driver’s expense and issue a large fine.
• A fine will also be imposed on any driver or passenger travelling in a car without wearing a seat belt.
• If the motorist ignores a "Stop" sign, this will result in a fine of $ 80.

There are toll roads here; payment is made at special toll booths, after which you pass through the control gate. After presenting your ticket or receipt, you can continue driving. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card, and you should keep the receipt while travelling along the toll road.

When passing through toll stations, you must observe the traffic rules, even if there are no police patrols nearby. Use of the toll section of the road is clearly recorded by hidden cameras. If there is a violation, it will not be difficult to identify the offender. It is enough to stop a motorist on another section of the road and calculate the average speed at which the vehicle was travelling.