TIPS for the TRAVELER

Time Zone

Pacific Standard

(GMT minus 8 hours)

Daylight Saving Time is March to November

Directory Assistance

Dial 411 for local and nationwide

directory assistance. For toll-free

numbers, dial 1-800-555-1212

Toll-free Calls

Phone numbers with the prefix

800, 888, 877, and 866 are

free to the caller. Not all toll-free

phone numbers work from

outside the United States.

Emergency Assistance

You can call 911 toll-free from

any public telephone or cell phone

to obtain police, fire, or medical

assistance.

Rules and Regulations

Sales Tax:

 7.75% (Tulare County, including Three Rivers

and Sequoia National Park)

8.00% (Visalia)

8.25% (Tulare)

Liquor Laws: Legal drinking age in California

is 21. Picture identification may be requested during

purchase. Bars are open until 2 a.m. Liquor stores

are open seven days a week. California State Law

prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages from 2 a.m.

to 6 a.m.

Smoking Laws: You must be 18 to purchase tobacco products. Smoking is prohibited on public transportation and in public buildings, including bars and restaurants. Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of any entrance, exit, or air-intake vent to any building that is open to the public, except while passing on the way to another destination. Smoking is also prohibited within 20 feet of any bus stop.

Driving Regulations

Drinking and Driving: It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. If you are suspected of driving under the influence, you must submit to a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol content.

Helmets: Required for all motorcyclists and their passengers. Required for bicyclists under 18 years old.

Required Documents: You must carry a valid driver's license from your home state or country. The minimum age for drivers is 16 with training, 18 without.

"Right on Red": You may turn right at a red light after making a full stop, unless signs indicate otherwise.

Road Conditions: Call the California Department of Transportation for 24-hour information at 1-800-427-7623.

Seatbelts and Child Restraints: Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers. Children under 6 years old or weighing less than 60 pounds must be in an appropriate safety seat.

Vehicular Accidents: You must report an accident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles if anyone is injured or killed or if more than $500 in damage is incurred.

International Visitors

Customs: You must complete customs and immigration formalities at the first point of arrival in the United States, whether or not it's your final destination.

Currency: For currency conversion, go to any bank. At a smaller branch, it may take a day or two.

Electricity: Electrical current is 110 volts.

Foreign Language Assistance: 1-888-US-1-INFO provides free access to emergency services and travel assistance in more than 140 languages.

Required Documents: Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for visa, passport, and health requirements.

Travel Insurance: There is no compulsory or government plan in the United States. Travelers are advised to purchase travel and health insurance in case of emergency.

Parking Regulations

Painted curbs mean that parking is controlled. The colors on curbs mean:

Yellow Zones- Curbs marked by yellow are reserved for commercial use for loading and unloading merchandise or materials. These zones are enforced Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., unless posted otherwise. Some metered parking spaces can be yellow zones during certain hours.

Red Curbs- Curbs marked by red are no stopping, standing, or parking under any circumstances and are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Green Curbs- Curbs marked by green indicate short-term, restricted, or limited time-zone parking. Zones are marked with signs indicating 5 minutes to 2 hours limited parking. Green zones are enforced Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless posted otherwise.

White Curbs- Curbs marked by white are designated passenger loading zones. Unless signs are posted, drivers of the vehicle must remain in the car for only three minutes to drop off or pick up passengers. Drivers cannot leave their vehicles. White curbs are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless posted otherwise.

Blue Curbs- Blue curbs are reserved for vehicles displaying valid Disabled placards or Disabled persons license plates from any state. These curbs are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fines for vehicles parking at a disabled parking place without a placard are set by the State of California and begin at $275.