exchanging my vaild american licenses to british?

hey guys, i have a valid american licenses and i want to exchange them for a british one, how does one go about it, i was at the post office, but the girl there was clueless more then me... anyways, how long does it take? the cost? i need my passport, cause i never know when imay leave;), has anyone went through this? thanks, amy

Do you mean your driving license? American license holders are not able to exchange their licenses for UK ones. You have to get your UK license through the regular procedure.

You have to get your UK license through the regular procedure.

It's a joy too. 

My passport was back in a week though.

hey guys, i have a valid american licenses and i want to exchange them for a british one, how does one go about it, i was at the post office, but the girl there was clueless more then me... anyways, how long does it take? the cost? i need my passport, cause i never know when imay leave;), has anyone went through this? thanks, amy

yeah good luck..statistically most people fail their first driving test.

omg, seriously? and dont i have to exchange them cause im a resident now, on a spousal visa, ( what is that called) further leave to remain? anyways my dh said just get a provisional licenses.... and keep the american one so when we go back, or i can always say i lost it..:S anyways this sucks big time! thanks guys

omg, seriously?

yeah, seriously! 
UKY has thread after thread after thread of people talking about what a drag it is to have to take driving lessons and take a driving test in the UK!   Don't know how you've missed this! 

You can keep your US license. You don't turn it in because this is not an exchange. It's a whole new license.

Once you have lived here a year, you should not be driving alone on your US license, btw.

its a year right? imean if i get pulled over god forbid? i know i dontknow how i missed all those posts, now i see them blonde,hello, 5 am in the morning:) thanks guys!

You can drive using your US license for one year from the date you settled here.  You'll need to tell your insurance company that you're driving on a foreign license.  Before that year is out, you'll need to obtain a full license if you want to drive by yourself.  To do this:

You'll need to apply for a provisional license -- you can get the application online or at a post office.  You'll need to send in the form along with a picture, the fee, a signed referral from someone British and "professional" (other than family) who has known you for two years (or you can go to your local DVLA office and have them sign for you if you haven't lived here two years), and your passport to Swansea.  You should have your passport back in a week or two and your license will follow shortly.

With your provisional license, you can drive with any UK license holder over 21 who has had their license for three years.

To obtain your full license (which will allow you to drive alone), you will need to pass a theory test and a practical driving test.  There are books, websites, and cd-roms to help with the theory and hazard perception.

You might also want to take a few lessons before taking your practical exam.  I personally took about 40 hours of lessons (but they were cheap because my neighbour is an instructor), but I'd never driving a manual car before (ending up buying an automatic though!  ).

Do the drivers licences last a life time? They use to.

Here is some information on driving here as a resident from the DVLA website:

If you are the holder of an ordinary driving licence (car, moped, motorcycle entitlement) and provided your licence remains valid, you can drive any category of small vehicle shown on your licence for up to 12 months from the time you became resident. To ensure continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have been obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12-month period elapses. If you obtain a provisional licence during this period, you are not subject to provisional licence conditions eg displaying 'L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or being precluded from motorways.

However, if you do not pass a test within the 12-month concessionary period you will not be allowed to drive as a full licence holder and provisional licence conditions will apply. If you do not apply for a provisional licence within the first 12 months you must stop driving and obtain a British provisional licence with a view to passing a driving test. Provisional licence conditions will then apply.

If you are the holder of a vocational licence (minibus, bus, lorry entitlement) and a new resident, you must not drive large vehicles until you have passed the relevant GB driving test. Driving test candidates are required to pass a motor car (category B) test first before applying for provisional entitlement for larger vehicles.

Here is the website if you need further information: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561

Do the drivers licences last a life time? They use to.

No, the photocard licenses are valid only for a maximum of 10 years, then they need to be renewed.  There are still no further testing requirements until age 70 though.

By the way, be aware that getting appointments for the tests can take weeks, and they are subject to being postponed at short notice, so start the process in plenty of time.  I just saw a story elsewhere of an American booked to take the practical test this month, who has just been notified that his test date has been put back to sometime in February -- Several weeks after his 12-month grace period expires.

thanks for all the advices why couldnt ihave a canadian licenses? lol i think they have it easier right? again thanks, amy

Slight Hijack for clarification on 'settled'

My (now) DH came here on a fiancee visa, so is his 12 months from the time he entered the country on the fiance visa or does his 12 months start from the point that he got his FLR - i'm confused whether a Fiance visa is considered as a settlement visa, whilst i'm pretty sure the FLR is?