NY, US to Devon, UK

Hi Everyone!
I've been living in the UK since Dec. 2012 and I'm having trouble finding an insurance company that will insure my driving because I haven't lived here for 3 years yet. I'm taking driving lessons even though I've had a driver's license in NY for 39 years because I've been told I'll need a British Driving license after a year anyway. The lessons are expensive and I'm not as confident as I should be at this stage because  I haven't been able to practice on my partner's car without an insurer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If it's too expensive to be on your partner's insurance as a learner driver, you could rent a car using your US license (since you've been here less than a year) to practise.  Maybe a weekend or a day when your partner is off so you have someone to help you.

Also, if you're not confident with your lessons, consider trying another instructor.  DH is always stumped when his coworkers and friends complain about their instructors, so he urged me to shop around.   

I had a lesson with one instructor who wasn't a good fit and not experienced at all in teaching international drivers.  I tried another instructor and he was perfect!  I felt confident and passed my first try with only two minors even though I was a wreck after my lessons early on.   

It can be hard to adjust to driving in the UK, but it might not be your fault. 

I moved here in August, and also had a hard time finding insurance - our insurance agent managed to get a policy for both of us on my car through Aviva. (I don't know anything about the insurer.) It is extremely expensive as I am also on a provisional license, but they promise that the price will drop once I get my permanent license. We insured both my partner and me on my car, which helped bring down the price.

  Dear TravelingFrog and jdl82--Thank you both for your quick replies and great ideas! Sorry for the delay in responding, but I've been gallivanting while I'm still waiting for my employment to begin. I think renting a car is a fantastic idea to start with. I thought of it, but wasn't sure if it was a viable option. Thanks Traveling. I'm happy with my instructor and suspect my lack of confidence is in my head, but I will think about switching companies if I don't get anywhere soon. Again, thank you and best to you too. 

Dear TravelingFrog and jdl82--Thank you both for your quick replies and great ideas! Sorry for the delay in responding, but I've been gallivanting while I'm still waiting for my employment to begin. I think renting a car is a fantastic idea to start with. I thought of it, but wasn't sure if it was a viable option. Thanks Traveling. I'm happy with my instructor and suspect my lack of confidence is in my head, but I will think about switching companies if I don't get anywhere soon. Again, thank you and best to you too. 

Glad the car renting might be an option. 

Remember that you can just try a new instructor if you want to.... you don't need to fully switch unless you want to.    You can just try out a lesson with someone else and change or stay the same. 

Good luck!