46 replies to this topic

[Dan]

There might be a slight complication with this kind of trip currently thanks to the tightened visa rules. We still don't need a proper, pre arranged Visa to go there from the UK (the online Visa thing is a bit odd, when we last went the system was in place and we booked visas but at immigration they weren't using it yet and we still had to do the irritating green form) but they do want to know where you are staying. You have to give them the address you will be staying at now and tell them when you will leave. People do still do motoring holidays out there so there must be a way around it but check it out before you leave and find out how to fill in the relevant forms.

As said above, make sure the hire company know you are going out of state. Do some states still issue marked plates to hire cars? That used to be a really bad thing because criminals knew which cars to hit (full of luggage, cameras, cash and travellers cheques), Florida was especially bad for it a few years back but it's probably changed now.

[Davethepioneer]

There might be a slight complication with this kind of trip currently thanks to the tightened visa rules. We still don't need a proper, pre arranged Visa to go there from the UK (the online Visa thing is a bit odd, when we last went the system was in place and we booked visas but at immigration they weren't using it yet and we still had to do the irritating green form) but they do want to know where you are staying. You have to give them the address you will be staying at now and tell them when you will leave. People do still do motoring holidays out there so there must be a way around it but check it out before you leave and find out how to fill in the relevant forms.

As said above, make sure the hire company know you are going out of state. Do some states still issue marked plates to hire cars? That used to be a really bad thing because criminals knew which cars to hit (full of luggage, cameras, cash and travellers cheques), Florida was especially bad for it a few years back but it's probably changed now.

Im off to Vegas in May and this new online Visa is now in full swing, it still does not guarantee you access to the US but the average person does not have a problem. I had a slight problem because you have to input your passport number and when I did it flagged up that I had travelled to several middle east countries including Baghdad. Fortunatly I could prover that I worked for the DOD(Department of Defense) so all good now.

If you explain to them your doing a road trip they will want some details about it but people do them all the time so they know the score. As for marked plates yep it still happens unfortunatly.

[Scallywag630]

There might be a slight complication with this kind of trip currently thanks to the tightened visa rules. We still don't need a proper, pre arranged Visa to go there from the UK (the online Visa thing is a bit odd, when we last went the system was in place and we booked visas but at immigration they weren't using it yet and we still had to do the irritating green form) but they do want to know where you are staying. You have to give them the address you will be staying at now and tell them when you will leave. People do still do motoring holidays out there so there must be a way around it but check it out before you leave and find out how to fill in the relevant forms.

As said above, make sure the hire company know you are going out of state. Do some states still issue marked plates to hire cars? That used to be a really bad thing because criminals knew which cars to hit (full of luggage, cameras, cash and travellers cheques), Florida was especially bad for it a few years back but it's probably changed now.

You can still travel visa free to the US. You will have to fill in the green I 94 card on landing. This card entitles you to stay for 90days. You will need a B2 visa for a stay of up to 6 months, but you will still have to fill out an I 94 but this time it will be white. The I 94 MUST stay with your passport and be handed in on departure. As for address, I would suggest that you book a hotel for the first night ( you really don't want to be getting used to a new car and the wrong side of the road after a transatlantic flight) give them that address.

Hire companies (atleast in Florida) do not use marked plates anymore, but still do not leave anything valuable in the car.

[Davethepioneer]

There might be a slight complication with this kind of trip currently thanks to the tightened visa rules. We still don't need a proper, pre arranged Visa to go there from the UK (the online Visa thing is a bit odd, when we last went the system was in place and we booked visas but at immigration they weren't using it yet and we still had to do the irritating green form) but they do want to know where you are staying. You have to give them the address you will be staying at now and tell them when you will leave. People do still do motoring holidays out there so there must be a way around it but check it out before you leave and find out how to fill in the relevant forms.

As said above, make sure the hire company know you are going out of state. Do some states still issue marked plates to hire cars? That used to be a really bad thing because criminals knew which cars to hit (full of luggage, cameras, cash and travellers cheques), Florida was especially bad for it a few years back but it's probably changed now.

You can still travel visa free to the US. You will have to fill in the green I 94 card on landing. This card entitles you to stay for 90days. You will need a B2 visa for a stay of up to 6 months, but you will still have to fill out an I 94 but this time it will be white. The I 94 MUST stay with your passport and be handed in on departure. As for address, I would suggest that you book a hotel for the first night ( you really don't want to be getting used to a new car and the wrong side of the road after a transatlantic flight) give them that address.

Hire companies (atleast in Florida) do not use marked plates anymore, but still do not leave anything valuable in the car.

As of Sept 2010 you are required to have ESTA.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a United States government requirement.

British travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, must get an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to their journey. Visitors should register through the ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA. The US Customs and Border Protection department charge $14 per application for an ESTA. All payments must be made by credit card.

[mini93]

interesting read and Dan, you certainly seem to know what ur on about there, if i was in position id love to go on a road trip holiday.

I did have the idea to do the route66 some years back but id want a cushy amount of cash just to sit on before i did that one day

[Davethepioneer]

interesting read and Dan, you certainly seem to know what ur on about there, if i was in position id love to go on a road trip holiday.

I did have the idea to do the route66 some years back but id want a cushy amount of cash just to sit on before i did that one day

As sad as it sounds a lot of route 66 is disapering and the small towns that live along the route are trying there hardest to restore and maintain the upkeep of it....You can even sponsor the road!

[Dan]

As of Sept 2010 you are required to have ESTA.

See I'm still not sure I believe that because they claimed that before. Last time I went in 2009 they were saying the electronic visa was already a requirement but when we got there the immigration officers told us the whole thing was a joke and still made us fill in the green visa waiver. So we'd paid for the online thing for no reason.

[Davethepioneer]

As of Sept 2010 you are required to have ESTA.

See I'm still not sure I believe that because they claimed that before. Last time I went in 2009 they were saying the electronic visa was already a requirement but when we got there the immigration officers told us the whole thing was a joke and still made us fill in the green visa waiver. So we'd paid for the online thing for no reason.

I totally agree with you mate. Ive worked for the FCO and the DOD and there all corrupt, so whilst you are correct in it being a joke would you really book a holiday and take the risk in not applying for one? What annoys me is you have to give your flight details and place of stay when applying online for ESTA which mean you actually have to book your holiday and then apply and if for some reason you did not get it you would more than likely lose your deposit. Fortunatly I know the manager in the local travel agents and she advised me not to pay it all in one go untill I had applied for ESTA.

[Dan]

No absolutely not, you have to apply for the ESTA there's no option. I'd say the chances of it actually being in use at the airport you land at are fairly slim though. The problem with the US being a federation is that different states and territories don't always bring in the same legislation at the same time, even if it's supposedly a federal law or federal department. Which can make it very confusing as a visitor.

[Scallywag630]

As of Sept 2010 you are required to have ESTA.

See I'm still not sure I believe that because they claimed that before. Last time I went in 2009 they were saying the electronic visa was already a requirement but when we got there the immigration officers told us the whole thing was a joke and still made us fill in the green visa waiver. So we'd paid for the online thing for no reason.

The green thing you filled in was an I 94 record of admittance. As for the ESTA, maybe it depends on airline/airport...wasn't asked for when I went into Miami early december.

[Davethepioneer]

No absolutely not, you have to apply for the ESTA there's no option. I'd say the chances of it actually being in use at the airport you land at are fairly slim though. The problem with the US being a federation is that different states and territories don't always bring in the same legislation at the same time, even if it's supposedly a federal law or federal department. Which can make it very confusing as a visitor.

So very true Dan. Some states may as well be a different country. But lets face it if you have to have it or not, most people would not take the chance and with hightened terrorism around the world can you really blame America for bringing in whatever they want even if its not directly linked to terrorism they are sure making money out of it some how.

[ANON]

thanks for all the info so far chaps

I did have the idea to do the route66 some years back but id want a cushy amount of cash just to sit on before i did that one day

have done a quick guesstimate and reckon about £10k should just about do us

[mini93]

lol i see, let me just go raid my bank account...insufficient funds guess will just be a dream...

if i were to do it id take a few friends though, driving long distances isnt always my best quality so certain costs would decrease but again, who knows in years to come

[Davethepioneer]

thanks for all the info so far chaps

I did have the idea to do the route66 some years back but id want a cushy amount of cash just to sit on before i did that one day

have done a quick guesstimate and reckon about £10k should just about do us

How long do you plan on going for?
Is this dollars or stirling?
I dont think it will be this much but saying that the first road trip I did the first night I spent $800 in a strip club alone....But hey I was on holiday lol

[ANON]

Stirling, doing 6 weeks and don't want to have to scrimp on spends