Summer of football: driving guide for Wearside fans

Supporters from Sunderland and across Wearside who have secured tickets to follow England in the United States are in for an experience unlike anything else in football.

But getting to the match, and between venues, takes careful planning. North American roads operate on different rules, hire car desks expect different documents, and parking near stadiums is nothing like finding a space in a supermarket car park or along Roker Avenue. AUTODOC, a specialist in car parts and accessories, has produced a comprehensive guide for British fans at the tournament. Here is what supporters from the Northeast of England specifically need to know.

Where England are playing

England's three group stage games are entirely within the United States:

● 17 June – England vs Croatia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas area)

● 23 June – England vs Ghana, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston area)

● 27 June – England vs Panama, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York/New Jersey)

All three fixtures staying within the USA is good news from a paperwork perspective since it means no international border crossings for the group stage, which simplifies the documents you need to carry and the rules you need to know. The distances involved, however, are considerable. Dallas to Boston is approximately 1,760 miles – a multi-day drive or a 4-hour flight. Boston to New York/New Jersey is around 220 miles, which is a very manageable road trip.

Sorting your documents before you leave the Northeast

This is the point that AUTODOC flags most strongly for British fans: you cannot get an International Driving Permit (IDP) once you have left the UK. It must be obtained before departure from a UK PayPoint shop – there are plenty of them across Sunderland city centre, Washington, and the wider Wearside area. Each IDP costs around £5.50 and is valid for 12 months.

For the USA and Canada, you need the 1949 convention IDP. For Mexico, you need the 1926 convention IDP. These are entirely separate documents and cannot be used interchangeably. If your itinerary covers all three countries, you need both.

Your full UK photocard driving licence is valid for tourist driving in all three host nations, but most hire car companies will ask for the IDP alongside your licence at the collection desk. Without it, you can be turned away. Paper licences are not accepted. If yours is a paper one, exchange it before you travel.

Complete document checklist:

● Full UK photocard driving licence

● IDP 1949 convention (USA and Canada)

● IDP 1926 convention (Mexico, if applicable)

● Valid biometric passport (for ESTA for the USA or eTA for Canada)

● DVLA check code (generate at gov.uk before departure; some hire companies request it)

● Rental agreement and confirmation

● Insurance documents – check what credit card hire car cover actually includes

● Credit card in the main driver's name (most US hire desks will not accept debit cards for the security deposit)

How North American roads differ from the Northeast

Anyone who has driven the A19, the A1(M) through Gateshead, or the roads around the Wearmouth Bridge will be comfortable with busy, varied traffic conditions. North American roads are broadly manageable for experienced British drivers, but there are specific rules that will catch you out if you are unaware of them, some carrying significant penalties.

You are on the right-hand side. Every hire car in North America has the steering wheel on the left. Open road driving tends to feel natural fairly quickly. The danger is pulling out of a petrol station or car park after stopping because your instinct will take you left. Remind yourself actively every single time you move off from a standstill.

Speed units. The USA uses miles per hour, the same as the UK. Canada and Mexico use kilometres per hour. Hire car speedometers show both. Make sure you are reading the correct scale.

Right turn on red. In most US states, you may turn right at a red traffic light after a complete stop, providing you yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, and there is no 'No Turn on Red' sign posted. New York City largely prohibits it. There is no equivalent rule in Britain, so when in doubt, waiting at the red is always a safe option.

Four-way stops. At junctions where all four approaches carry a stop sign and there are no traffic lights, the rule is first-arrived, first-goes. If two cars arrive simultaneously, the driver on the right has priority. Take it steadily, make eye contact with other drivers, and wait if you are unsure. It’s better to hesitate than to misjudge the sequence.

School buses – the most serious rule to know. When a school bus stops with its red flashing lights and stop arm extended, all traffic, including vehicles approaching from the opposite direction on an undivided road, must stop. This applies in every US state and Canadian province. Penalties include fines, licence points, and suspension. There is no equivalent in the UK, making this the rule British fans are most likely to be unaware of. School buses do still operate during the summer months.

HOV lanes. Diamond-marked motorway lanes require at least two occupants. Solo drivers are not permitted and face fines. If you have a car full of fellow Sunderland fans, you are eligible, but check the signage.

Toll roads. Common in the northeast USA corridor – Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia. The E-ZPass system covers this area, and many hire cars carry a transponder. Confirm at the desk and check the daily fee.

Venue by venue: what Wearside fans need to know

Dallas – AT&T stadium, Arlington (England vs Croatia, 17 June)

Arlington is the most car-friendly of England's three group venues. It is a car-dependent suburb with limited public transit, and some parking is available near the stadium. This is the one England venue where driving to the match on the day is genuinely practical. Check the official sources for the latest on parking arrangements and tailgating rules, which were still being confirmed at time of writing.

Boston – Gillette stadium, Foxborough (England vs Ghana, 23 June)

Gillette Stadium is roughly 30 miles south of Boston with no direct metro connection. A special match-day train from Boston is available but costs $80 per person. Parking near the stadium is very limited and heavily in demand. AUTODOC's guidance is to park away from the stadium and take the match-day shuttle or train for the final leg of the journey. Street parking near Foxborough on match day is not a realistic option.

New York/New Jersey – MetLife stadium (England vs Panama, 27 June)

There is no public parking at MetLife Stadium during World Cup matches. The parking areas have been entirely repurposed as fan zones and security areas. NJ Transit is providing expanded rail and bus services, but tickets are capped at 40,000 per match, must be pre-purchased via the NJ Transit app, and require a physical wristband for the return journey. Ride-share drop-offs are in restricted zones, usually requiring a 20–30 minute walk to the gates.

For the Panama game, leave the hire car at your hotel. Base yourself in New Jersey or the outer boroughs of New York, and travel to the ground on NJ Transit. Book that ticket the moment your match ticket is confirmed.

The road trip: Boston to New York/New Jersey

Between the Boston fixture on 23 June and New York/New Jersey on 27 June, supporters have four days and approximately 220 miles to cover. The interstate route takes three to four hours in normal traffic, making for a perfectly manageable road trip along the northeast corridor. For fans from Sunderland who are used to driving across to Newcastle or down the A1(M) without a second thought, this stretch will feel entirely comfortable.

The recommendation from AUTODOC is to base yourself in New Jersey rather than Manhattan for the final game, given the parking costs and complexity in New York City. From a New Jersey base, NJ Transit delivers you directly to MetLife without the headache of city parking.

Match-day parking strategy, wherever you are

● Arrive at least three hours before kick-off

● Park outside the event enforcement zone and walk or take transit for the final stretch

● Avoid informal unlicensed car parks – some will not let you out after the match

● Photograph the parking sign before you walk away – American signs often carry multiple time restrictions on a single pole

● Keep your payment confirmation

● Plan the post-match exit route before you park, not after

● In New York, the entire city can be designated a Tow Away Zone during major events – do not take chances

Pre-trip car checks: AUTODOC's guidance

When collecting a hire car from the airport, walk around the vehicle before driving and note any pre-existing damage on the inspection sheet. Test the air conditioning immediately; Dallas in June regularly exceeds 35°C and a faulty system is not a minor inconvenience. Check the wipers work (Boston sees sudden heavy summer rain). Confirm whether the car has a spare tyre or only a tyre inflation kit, and find out where it is stored. Check whether the vehicle takes petrol (gasoline) or diesel. Diesel is uncommon in the USA.

For fans driving down from Sunderland or Wearside to a local airport before the flight, a quick check of tyre pressures, brake pads, wipers, and fluid levels takes 20 minutes and can prevent a breakdown at the worst possible time.

Common questions answered

Is my UK licence valid in America? Yes – a full UK photocard licence is accepted for tourist visits in all US states. Bring your 1949 IDP as well; hire desks require it.

What if I am stopped by the police? Pull over promptly and safely. Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel. Do not reach for documents until asked. Present your licence, IDP, rental agreement, and insurance when requested. Remain calm.

Should I hire a car for every match? Dallas: yes, it is the most practical. Boston: only if you plan to park well away from the stadium. New York/New Jersey: leave the hire car at the hotel and use NJ Transit.

What emergency number do I call? 911 operates across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Final checklist before leaving the hotel on match day

● UK photocard driving licence

● IDP (1949 for USA/Canada; 1926 for Mexico)

● Passport

● Rental agreement and insurance documents

● Route confirmed, including any road closures

● Parking pre-booked or NJ Transit ticket secured

● Post-match exit route planned

● Fuel checked

● Phone in a mount – not hand-held

● Official app downloaded for live updates