Learning To Drive On a US License(was: PLEASE HELP..)

So do I need to have access to a vehicle before starting lessons or can I be taught in a company car?

I took lessons in my instructor's car. I'm not sure if all are that way, but it shouldn't be a problem to find one. Just phone a few from the Yellow Pages until you find one that'll let you learn in his/her car.

Can a person without a license buy a car?

Yes!

If I hold a US license but am a UK national, do I still have to surrender the US passport?

I'm not sure about that one. Sorry!

thanks chary! 

So do I need to have access to a vehicle before starting lessons or can I be taught in a company car?

You will take your lessons and usually your test as well in your driving instructor's car (I've never heard of anyone not doing this as the instructor's cars have the extra pedals on the passenger side in case the instructor needs to step in during the lesson - i.e. for new drivers who are learning to use the pedals, and most learner drivers won't have their own car yet anyway), so you don't need to worry about not having a car yourself. The only issue you might have in not having a car yourself would be not being able to practice your driving between lessons.

Very good point K.

I'm still confused about street crossings, so I'm definately going to need practice. 

I guess the best place to start is in parking lots?  In the country?  Everybody moves so fast around here, it makes my head spin.

Very good point K.

I'm still confused about street crossings, so I'm definately going to need practice. 

I guess the best place to start is in parking lots?  In the country?  Everybody moves so fast around here, it makes my head spin.

Nah it just seems that way.  Once you start driving and getting use to it all you will think they are all slow.

So do I need to have access to a vehicle before starting lessons or can I be taught in a company car?

Legally you can take lessons in any car, so long as it is roadworthy, taxed, you are insured to drive it, etc.  Instructors normally have their own vehicles for lessons, but some will take you out in your own car if you wish.   I'm assuming that's what you mean by a "company car," and not just a vehicle owned/supplied for you to use by the company for which you work?

Can a person without a license buy a car?

Anybody can buy a car, even if not old enough to be eligible for a license.  Anybody, of any age may also drive a car without a license, so long as it is on private land to which the general public has no access.

If I hold a US license but am a UK national, do I still have to surrender the US passport?

I'm not sure, but presumably you have a U.K. passport as well which could be used for ID?

You will take your lessons and usually your test as well in your driving instructor's car (I've never heard of anyone not doing this

Lots of people learn and take their test in a private (non-instructor) car.  At least they always used to -- Maybe it's become less common?       But there are no legal restrictions either way.

Lots of people learn and take their test in a private (non-instructor) car.  At least they always used to -- Maybe it's become less common?       But there are no legal restrictions either way.

Well, I said that because everyone I know who has taken driving lessons here has been aged 17/18 at the time and didn't really have any other choice but to learn on their instructor's car - it just wasn't an option for them... so personally, I don't know of anyone who has used their own car for their lessons/test .

You will take your lessons and usually your test as well in your driving instructor's car (I've never heard of anyone not doing this as the instructor's cars have the extra pedals on the passenger side in case the instructor needs to step in during the lesson - i.e. for new drivers who are learning to use the pedals, and most learner drivers won't have their own car yet anyway), so you don't need to worry about not having a car yourself. The only issue you might have in not having a car yourself would be not being able to practice your driving between lessons.

Me. I took my lessons and test in DHs car, without the extra pedals and passed first time just this June.. so it is an option.

I'm not sure, but presumably you have a U.K. passport as well which could be used for ID?

Yerp.  Would I be surrendering that instead?  I'm uncertain as to why anyone would need to submit such an important document rather than just showing it. 

Probably because some person in some office somewhere needs to see it?

Yerp.  Would I be surrendering that instead? 

U.K. citizens can use a birth certificate instead of a passport, although it needs supporting documentation:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_4022091

I'm uncertain as to why anyone would need to submit such an important document rather than just showing it. 

Probably because some person in some office somewhere needs to see it?

And because the system has to make things difficult.    

U.K. citizens can use a birth certificate instead of a passport, although it needs supporting documentation:

Unless you happen to be a UK citizen by descent who wasn't born in the UK!

Unless you happen to be a UK citizen by descent who wasn't born in the UK!

Good point -- I didn't think of that.