Provisional License

Yeah, i know about the Canadian license thingy - unfortunately, we didn't do our research well enough before buying a car because we bought a manual!   So we have to do the test!  (exchange is only good for automatics) We want to keep our Canadian licenses anyway..

I'm in the process of taking my lessons and I'm almost ready to take my test, it is just that it is a six week waiting period before I can get a date!  And i'm heading to Canada toward the end of July.  I'm sure I'll get it done before 12 August (when I entered and when I activated my visa), but I'm starting to stress about it.  Also, if I pass my test, then I can wait to send in my passport until after I get back from my trip.  Like I said, I'm just stressing about it. 

Thanks for the help/support!!!

So you're not exchanging an 'American' licence, but a this-that-or-the-other-state licence,

Yep, and that can make it very complex.  I believe that one or two European countries had exchange arrangements with a few states, e.g. you could get a French license on the strength of a South Carolina license but not a Florida license, or something like that (don't quote me on the actual states). 

According to the DVLA website, Canada is currently on a "must get UK license within 12 months" list (see section 3):

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drvingb.htm


The situation regarding licenses from other EU countries is even more complex, because the rules often contradict each other!   (Would I make a comment about government bureaucracy?    ). 

On that same DVLA page, for example, it states that EU license-holders becoming resident must exchange for a U.K. license within 3 years.  The EU rules explicitly require member countries to honor a license for so long as it remains valid, which could be 10 years.   

Edited for typo.

Thanks Paul. I think I've got it now.  And i've got to get moving on it right away!  the language on the DVLA is so confusing that it takes a bit to sort it out!

the language on the DVLA is so confusing that it takes a bit to sort it out!

For sure.  And just when you think you've figured it all out, they go and change the rules again!   

Yeah, and then they don't take out the old bits.  They just keep adding on...

Sorry to bump an old post like this, but I thought I had read that you had to have a UK resident as a sponser to be able to drive on a US license, while working to get your UK license.  Is this not true?

Sorry to bump an old post like this, but I thought I had read that you had to have a UK resident as a sponser to be able to drive on a US license, while working to get your UK license.  Is this not true?

No, you only need a valid US drivers license.  It is good for 12 months from the time you enter.  At that point you have hopefully gotten your full UK or you will have to get your provisional.