I have been travelling and living in the USA on and off for more than 5 years and I am still constantly finding things that are similar but different . The first thing is that the USA is a union of separate states who all have their own way of doing things . I am principally in Washington State which is on the far West Coast at about the same latitude as France . Part one - Driving and Cars ! Americans drive on the Right side of the road . They use stop signs not give way signs - and you must stop . These may be on one two occasionally three or more often all four roads at a junction . In England there are give way signs on the more minor roads and main roads have priority . You can drive straight on if the road is clear without stopping . In the USA this is called a " California Stop and is illegal . Roundabouts are rare - universally hated and called " turnabouts . Driving tests are much cheaper and generally easier and you can take the " theory test " which