driving as a student - insurance question

Hi, all. I've looked at old threads and can't seem to find info. on this topic specifically.

I've looked at the DVLA site and it appears that I am OK to drive on my US license until my student visa runs out in October. By then I'll have been married and from what I can understand it is then that I'm entitled to apply for a provisional license since I'll have a residency visa. Is that correct?

But what I'm most confused about is insurance. Without a GB license while I'm a student, is it possible to add me to my df's insurance? He looked at the AA site today and there was only a provision for "full UK license" or "EU license" - drop down menu with no other choice. I did see an older thread here that said ASDA honors a clean US record - but does one have to have a GB license for that? Are there any students here who have had luck getting insurance?

Thanks!

Not sure about the AA specifically. I've been insured with my US license before on a friend's UK car. I just gave the friend the money so unfortunately can't recall the specific insurance company. Could find out if you really need it though.

I'm getting ready to apply for my provisional but I'm not aware you have to have a residency visa to do it (could be wrong but don't think so).

I am also insured on my DF's car without having to prove residency or even having a provisional. I think you'll need to make some phone calls and not rely on the web forms.

you don't have to have a residency visa to get a Provisional , or even to get a full UK driver's licence actually. Students who are on longer than a one year course are, to my understanding , supposed to get a UK licence if they wish to drive after the one year from arrival mark, in fact. I could be wrong on that part though, but I definitely know (having written to the DVLA to clarify the rules specifically because I wanted to have motorcycle/scooter driving priviledges as soon as possible after arriving) that you can apply for  a Provisional licence pretty much as soon as you arrive. To get the full licence you   have to have been resident, in the sense of "living in the country" rather than the sense of "on a residency visa", for 6 months.

Oh, I'm glad I posted about all of this, because thanks to you all I went and picked up an application for my provisional driving license which I probably wouldn't have done until after the wedding otherwise! Thanks!!!

And we've sorted the insurance issue as well - took some doing, but found someone willing to insure me! 

But now I've got another question. In the area on the driving license app. where you have to have someone sign your photo, it states that the person can't be a relative. So can I use Jamie? We're not married yet but we do share an address. Will that matter? The leaflet lists a bunch of professions of "suitable" people to sign ("a local business person, a librarian, a professionally qualified person, a police officer" etc., etc.) but you have to have known the person for two years and Jamie is really the only one who qualifies. It says you can skip this step by going to your local DVLA office, but there really isn't one that's particularly near to us.

Hi Anne, I am actually an expert in this topic. First about the insurance. My husband had me added to his insurance but insuring "any driver over 25". 
Also about the prov. licence. Simply send a check and send off the form. You will have to have your photo signed and the person signing will have to fill out a portion of your application. If you dont know anyone you can go to your doctors surgery or bank but be prepared to pay anywhere from £10.00 to £25.00. I got lucky and had my health visitor sign it for free. If you have a health visitor (if you have kids) because they are usually more than happy to help.
I did read somewhere that you do need to have permanant residency to get your full UK licence but Im not sure if its the same if you are on a student visa.
I just got my full licence a few months ago. After you apply for your prov. licence you can book a theory (computer) test. You can do this online all you have to have is your prov. licence number. I went to the BSM website and for a few pounds I got the study software. I studied for a few weeks before booking my test. I got all 35 questions correct however I doubt I would have passed at all if I didnt study.
After you pass your theory test you can book your practical driving test but be prepared to wait. There was a 16 week waiting list in my area! What you can do if you dont want to wait is when you call for your appt ask them to check waiting times at other test sites. If you still have no joy then you can book your appt and then call everyday and check for cancellations. I got very lucky. I passed my theory test in March and didnt get a practical test date till July 13th. But everyday I called and there was a last minute cancellation and I got to take my test on April 15th.
Also, I dont know how long you have been driving but I know a few people that have actually booked driving lessons for practice for their practical test. I didnt because I havealready been driving here for ages not to mention I have been driving for over 20 years in the USA.
The practical test isnt hard at all but they are now asking a few questions about your car for example, they may make you open the hood (make sure you know how...i didnt!) and tell them where the oil goes. They may ask questions about changing a tire also. That info isnt on the study test software so ask your fiance if you arent sure.
Any questions feel free to PM me.
Best of luck!
Pebs

Oh, thank you so much Pebbles! That was very, very helpful! I've got the form all ready to go for my prov. license - just need to go have some photos taken. Do you think I could have my fiance sign the photo (the leaflet with the app. says a "shop keeper" is OK and he does work for Waitrose so maybe I could just fill in his work address?)

I haven't driven at all over here yet as we only had a manual and the thought of learning to drive over here AND learning to shift was too much for me. So we now have an automatic and as soon as the insurance is sorted out I'll be off! I drove for a good 17 years or so in the US, but I think I'll prob. take a couple of lessons over here before taking the practical test.

I have NO CLUE about anything to do with cars so that bit makes me a tiny bit nervous. In the US I never changed my own oil or anything - I'm SUCH a girlie girl about stuff like that. And if a tire went flat I'd call AAA! So I guess I have to learn a few things in the coming months!! 

Thanks again!!!!

They are really picky about the photo signer. My application was returned because my signer wasnt good enough. I had my neighbor sign it the first time and she was retired. (not good enough) They really want a "professional" type person to sign it. If you arent sure then go to the bank or surgery otherwise your app could be sent back to you. I think shopkeeper actually means someone that owns a shop.
Also if you can try to learn to drive a manual. Have you ever driven a stick before? It wasnt that bad for me. My fiance didnt drive when I moved here so I had to learn QUICKLY. We went to the car lot to pick up the new car and I drove it off the lot. It was the first time ever driving in the UK and shifting/driving on the left. I did just fine. I am pretty sure if you take the test in an automatic then your licence will be restricted to just automatic transmissions. Check on this though but I think Im right about it. If you dont intend on ever driving a stick then youre ok but if you are going to reside here then it may be worth learning a stick so you dont have a restricted licence. One day you may want a new/different car and cant get it in automatic. If you learn to drive a stick after you pass your test with your automatic you will have to take another driving test to lift the restriction from your licence. Think about it
Good luck!
Pebbles

Oh well, I guess I better find another person to sign my form. Only prob. is I've only been here for a year, so Jamie and a few friends are the only ones who have known me for the two that are required!

I've only driven a manual once - I was about 18 and my dad tried to teach me. We got to the end of the block (almost) and I was in tears from being so frustrated and walked back home and he wouldn't try again 'cause I was so terrible at it!!!  So I have a HUGE mental block when it comes to shifting!!!! I know you're right about the restrictions and maybe after a few months driving I'll feel better about it, but right now I just can't even consider it! I know that's sort of pathetic, but oh well....  I figure I can always rent a manual using my mom's address and my American license if I have to - that's how desperate I am to not have to learn! LOL.