Driving with a student visa

Hello!

I will hopefully be moving to the UK very soon (still waiting for my student visa to be approved). I've never had a US license, but will I be able to learn in the UK on my student visa? It's a 2 year course and during that time, I will be switching over to a marriage visa. If I can't do it on my student visa, when's the soonest I could get started after I switch visas?

Thanks very much!

Since you do not have a valid US license, you will need to apply for a provisional license first and then work toward your UK license.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690

You have only to be resident in the U.K. to be eligible for the provisional license (learner's permit), so I believe your student visa would be adequate.   You'd be able to start driving as soon as you receive the provisional, which should take no more than a few weeks. 

Starting from scratch without a U.S. license, you'll be under exactly the same conditions as any British learner, i.e. you'll need to have a licensed driver who has held a U.K. license for at least 3 years and is at least 21 accompanying you at all times, you must display "L" plates on the front & rear of the car, etc.