Resident or Visitor? (for drivers license purposes)

Can anyone provide any information about what makes someone a "visitor" or a "resident" for driving purposes?
We plan to be in the UK for 12-24 months for my husband's job, but will maintain a residence in the US as well. 
Since we are just there temporarily can we be considered "visitors"?  It looks like visitors can drive on a US license for 12 months from last entry whereas residents have only 12 months from date of residency.
I really don't want to deal with getting a UK driver's license if I can avoid it.
Obviously, if we're only there for 12 months it will be a moot point anyway.

Kind of kicking myself for not getting an Australian license last year when I would have qualified to get one by just walking in and showing my US license.   

If you will have a visa lasting longer than 6 months, then you will be considered a resident, because visitors cannot spend more than 6 months in the UK at a time (and they also cannot work or qualify for NHS treatment). You can only drive on your US licence for the first 12 months that you are in the UK - if you want to drive after 12 months, then you need to pass the UK driving tests and get a full UK licence.

If you have not passed the test by the time the 12 months is up, you will only be allowed to drive on a provisional (learner) licence, which means you cannot drive alone (you must be accompanied at all times by someone over 21 who has held a UK licence for at least 3 years) and you will not be allowed to drive on motorways.

Thanks for the reply.  I was hoping we could just be considered visitors but it looks like that's not the case. 

Now I'm off to see if I can just get my Aussie license (which involves no test taking at all). Since AU is on the list of designated countries I think I could just exchange that for a UK one within the 1st 12 months, right?

Jenny

You can only drive on your US licence for the first 12 months that you are in the UK - if you want to drive after 12 months, then you need to pass the UK driving tests and get a full UK licence.

I always forget to ask when this comes up...But when does the 12 months start? I first entered the UK on my current visa on Sept 8, 2010.  I went back to the US for Christmas, and reentered on Jan. 25, 2011.  Does the 12 months get "reset" every time I reenter the UK, or is it based off the initial entry date of Sept 8 ?

I always forget to ask when this comes up...But when does the 12 months start? I first entered the UK on my current visa on Sept 8, 2010.  I went back to the US for Christmas, and reentered on Jan. 25, 2011.  Does the 12 months get "reset" every time I reenter the UK, or is it based off the initial entry date of Sept 8 ?

The 12 months starts from the date you entered the UK on your visa. It does not reset if you just leave the UK temporarily (i.e. for a vacation) - so I believe it would only reset if you abandoned your visa, moved away from the UK completely and then returned to live in the UK on a different visa in the future.

See these threads for more info on the 12-month period:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=58244.0
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=54416.0
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=48897.0;all

I know everyones case is different so ill explain mine and hopefully get the right answer lol.

Visitor from September 2009 to December 2009
Visitor from March 2010 to September 2010
Entered on Entry Clearance Proposed Civil Partner November 2010
Receieved "Residency Permit" March 2011

So does my 12 months start from March 2011 or November 2010???

I believe it is November 2010

Thats what I thought...

The 12 months starts from the date you entered the UK on your visa. It does not reset if you just leave the UK temporarily (i.e. for a vacation) - so I believe it would only reset if you abandoned your visa, moved away from the UK completely and then returned to live in the UK on a different visa in the future.

Thank you