How to acquire a UK licence with an expired US licence / UK provisional licence

Actually, in the US, when I took my US lessons with a driving school there, the same thing happened -- that instructor accompanied me to the test center and it was in that same car that I took my US test. If that wasn't just a fluke then it seems to me that is the standard routine in either country, if you book a driving school. I think they ALL take you through your test in the same car unless for some reason you suddenly want to take it in one you provide yourself, but why would you? Use theirs, it's supposed to be part of the service.

Perhaps it was because I grew up in a lower to lower-middle class neighbourhood, but I've never even heard of a natural born American taking driving lessons. We had a drivers ed course in high school, but it was fairly basic. Everyone pretty much just got in the car with dad or mum and learned the hard way. I suppose I was thinking it'd be much the same here, but it sounds like taking lessons is the standard in the UK. =) At least I already know how to handle a clutch - I swear I shaved at least five years off my mom's car's expected lifespan, the first time around.

We don't have 'drivers ed' in the UK, so getting in the car with mum or dad is where most people start, but it is always a good idea to take lessons too, as often mum and dad's driving will be riddled with bad habits.

Vicky

I grew up in the US and I definitely took driving lessons from a driving school when I first learned to drive as a teenager.  We had classroom lessons for the theory bit, and practical lessons with an instructor. In between lessons I practiced with my parents. I took the test on my 16th birthday in my instructor's car (although it was my instructor who actually passed me as they are allowed to examine in Texas!)

This was the norm where I grew up- "drivers ed" was available at my school, but very few people ended up taking it because the local driving school lessons were much better.

I agree with everyone else...lessons are the way to go here.  I never took lessons in the US either, just hit the back roads with my stepfather for a few months and took the test.  I'm really glad I'm taking them here.  There are a few differences in driving here, other than the obvious other side if the road/car thing.  Coasting is a big no-no, and they really love the parking brake here!  Have a look at a thread MrsR started...

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?action=post;topic=53433.15;num_replies=16

I grew up in the US and I definitely took driving lessons from a driving school when I first learned to drive as a teenager. 

Me too! I had drivers' ed + private lessons.

it is always a good idea to take lessons too, as often mum and dad's driving will be riddled with bad habits.

DH refuses to teach me to drive, for that very reason. 

We had the classes in school and I took practical lessons from a professional, who ironically was a driver's ed teacher in the neighbouring school.

From things I've read and heard, I get the impression that professional tuition has become more widespread in Britain over recent years.  It used to be much more common just to learn with parents etc.