US Drivers License and Passport in Different Names

I know you're legally allowed to drive in the UK under your US drivers license for 12 months (is this from the time you arrive in the UK, I'm assuming?) I just got married in June and I got my drivers license changed to my married name (I still have a previous drivers license in my maiden name, which expired earlier this year). My passport (and spousal visa) are in my maiden name. Would I just need to have a copy (probably a certified copy) of my marriage license/certificate with me when I drove to show the connection between the names? Or would my visa (which has "spouse of [husband's name]) be enough to show this connection?

They both have your picture on them right?  I think the rental agencies will be able to get the idea.  I don't think you'll need to show a marriage certificate at all.

You do know that in the UK there is no obligation to carry your driving licence with you at all times, don't you?  If you are asked for it, you have a number of days to present it to a police station and you can bring all the documents with you then.

Vicky

You do know that in the UK there is no obligation to carry your driving licence with you at all times, don't you?  If you are asked for it, you have a number of days to present it to a police station and you can bring all the documents with you then.

Vicky

Oh, didn't know that, mine's always in my wallet anyway.

They both have your picture on them right?  I think the rental agencies will be able to get the idea.  I don't think you'll need to show a marriage certificate at all.

Rental agencies? I'm not talking about renting a car, just driving after I move to England. Yup both have my picture on them.

Rental agencies? I'm not talking about renting a car, just driving after I move to England. Yup both have my picture on them.

Oh well then you'll be fine - you're not planning to carry your passport with you every time you drive, right?  So they won't know that your name is anything other than what's on your license.

Oh well then you'll be fine - you're not planning to carry your passport with you every time you drive, right?  So they won't know that your name is anything other than what's on your license.

I thought you were required to carry your passport if you were driving on a US license? 

Really?  I don't think you're required to carry your passport.  I think all you need is your valid license.

I checked the DVLA website and it doesn't say specifically that you need to carry your passport with you when you drive, but I might have read that elsewhere. Either way it should be a big deal. I'm more concerned about actually driving 

I never drove with my license or my passport. I was under the impression that you weren't legally required to carry your license with you. I mean, they don't fine you for it like they do in the states.

I found this:

What happens if I get stopped?

The police have the power to stop anyone at any time – they don’t need to give you a reason – and failing to stop is a criminal offence.

When pulled over by the police, you may be asked to produce documents including:

    * drivers’ licence
    * insurance certificate
    * vehicle registration document

If you don’t have these with you, you’ll be given seven days to produce them at a police station.

Personally, I wouldn't want to pack my passport around that much or leave it in the car in case it's broken into. I'd rather have to take it down to the police station if I ever got pulled over. I've got my UK license now anyway, so I don't need to worry about it. I don't usually carry that with me either though.

Oh, and the quote came from the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/powers/road-traffic/

Yeah I also checked the DVLA site and a few others like general travel sites and couldn't find any requirement to bring your passport with you.  I always have my license in my wallet but my passport - too important to carry around like among_the_stars said.  I haven't driven yet over here - I'm too scared - but DH has and I think we carried his passport the first few times and then just forgot all about it. 

When pulled over by the police, you may be asked to produce documents including:

    * drivers’ licence
    * insurance certificate
    * vehicle registration document

If you don’t have these with you, you’ll be given seven days to produce them at a police station.

They may ask for the registration, but that's unusual, since all the data on it has been available from the DVLA/PNC (Police National Computer) for years. 

If the car is over 3 years old you will most likely be asked to produce a current MoT (inspection) certificate.

The only official document which you must have in the car and on display to avoid getting into trouble is the vehicle excise license, or "tax disc" as it's more commonly called in everyday usage.