UK-US driving license differences?

Hello All,

I'm thinking about getting a UK driving license, and I had a few questions about the process.  Like what driving laws are different, I know some things are the same; like swerving on the payment and chasing down small children and old people is generally frowned upon, but other smaller things which you wouldn't think twice about in the states being a ticket over here.

To break it down a little better:

1. Can I just exchange my US driving license for a UK one?
2. Do I need to take driving lessons?
3. I only had my US driving license for a few years, but I haven't had an accident or a speeding ticket so far, so does my NCB and insurance stuff transfer over here?
4. Would I have to get a learners permit again, or would I keep a full license.
5. if I had a full motorcycle endorsement on my US license but only for a little while, would I have to get a learners permit again, or could I get a full sized bike.

Hello All,

I'm thinking about getting a UK driving license, and I had a few questions about the process.  Like what driving laws are different, I know some things are the same; like swerving on the payment and chasing down small children and old people is generally frowned upon, but other smaller things which you wouldn't think twice about in the states being a ticket over here.

To break it down a little better:

1. Can I just exchange my US driving license for a UK one?
2. Do I need to take driving lessons?
3. I only had my US driving license for a few years, but I haven't had an accident or a speeding ticket so far, so does my NCB and insurance stuff transfer over here?
4. Would I have to get a learners permit again, or would I keep a full license.
5. if I had a full motorcycle endorsement on my US license but only for a little while, would I have to get a learners permit again, or could I get a full sized bike.

1. No, you have to pass the UK test to get a UK license, but you can drive on your US license for up to 12 months.
2. That depends on how familiar you feel with driving on the opposite side of the car and road from the US. 
3. I don't know, sorry. 
4. You'd start out with a permit.  From what I understand, the UK driving test is a lot harder than the US one!
5. You can ride a bike alone on a UK learner's permit, but it has to be a small bike (I can't remember the specifics, but if no one chimes in before I talk to Tim tomorrow, I'll ask him for you).   I don't know what the specific rules are if you are driving with a US motorcycle license (but again, you can only drive on your US license for 12 months).

Would I have to get a learners permit again, or would I keep a full license.

You know how in that other thread everyone's been suggesting you get a provisional licence?  That's the equivalent of a learner's permit, and yes... if you eventually want to get a full licence, you have to start there.


Everything you need to know is here:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

To break it down a little better:
1. Can I just exchange my US driving license for a UK one?
2. Do I need to take driving lessons?
3. I only had my US driving license for a few years, but I haven't had an accident or a speeding ticket so far, so does my NCB and insurance stuff transfer over here?
4. Would I have to get a learners permit again, or would I keep a full license.
5. if I had a full motorcycle endorsement on my US license but only for a little while, would I have to get a learners permit again, or could I get a full sized bike.

2. That depends on how familiar you feel with driving on the opposite side of the car and road from the US. 

2. Even if you are comfortable and familiar with driving on the other side of the road, I would recommend taking a few lessons anyway as there are specific things you have to do on the test and other things you have to do a particular way and if you're not aware of them or used to doing them you risk failing the test (and the UK driving test is notoriously difficult to pass!). For example, on the test you will be asked to do certain 'manouevres', including: turn in the road (aka 3 point turn), reverse around a corner, reverse into a parking bay, parallel park, emergency stop - all of which have to be very precise (e.g. carried out at a certain speed, you must be a certain number of inches away from the curb for reversing around a corner, it's an automatic failure of the test if you hit a curb etc.). Also, you must use the 'mirror, signal, manouevre' technique and never cross your hands over each other on the steering wheel etc.

3. I think you will probably need to start from scratch with insurance etc. (unless the insurance company will take on board your previous experience) - if you have been here for less than 12 months you can still drive on your US licence, but some insurance companies may not insure US licences or may charge a high premium. Once you have been here for 12 months, you can no longer legally drive using your US licence. If you haven't yet passed the UK tests, you will be treated like a learner driver again and must not drive unless accompanied by a UK licence holder (who is over 21 and has held the licence for at least 3 years) and you will have to hang 'L' (learner) plates on the car until you have passed.

Thx for the help everyone! I'm sending off for a provisional license and will be looking into driving lessons in a month or so.

2. Even if you are comfortable and familiar with driving on the other side of the road, I would recommend taking a few lessons anyway as there are specific things you have to do on the test and other things you have to do a particular way and if you're not aware of them or used to doing them you risk failing the test (and the UK driving test is notoriously difficult to pass!). For example, on the test you will be asked to do certain 'manouevres', including: turn in the road (aka 3 point turn), reverse around a corner, reverse into a parking bay, parallel park, emergency stop - all of which have to be very precise (e.g. carried out at a certain speed, you must be a certain number of inches away from the curb for reversing around a corner, it's an automatic failure of the test if you hit a curb etc.). Also, you must use the 'mirror, signal, manouevre' technique and never cross your hands over each other on the steering wheel etc.

Yeah, that whole reverse around a corner thing is something I'm completely not familiar with at all!  I decided I wasn't driving in the UK AT ALL until I was living there, had my provisional, and took lessons because I just don't feel comfortable. Plus, the fact of learning how to shift with your left hand!    (which I'm not even sure if my left is capable of doing...it's very weak from Carpal Tunnel and Cublatral, and Tennis Elbow and just about every other nerve or muscle damage you can have on your arm.)

Re: Motorcycle Riding and Permits -

(straight from Tim, who originally only had a bike until he was forced to get a car)

You can ride a 125cc, but you must have a CBT certificate (a short off-road course). Permit valid for three years.

OR

You can ride any size bike on L plates, but only with an instructor riding with you you are in radio contact with.

He also provides this link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561

Like what driving laws are different, I know some things are the same; like swerving on the payment and chasing down small children and old people is generally frowned upon, but other smaller things which you wouldn't think twice about in the states being a ticket over here.

One thing which comes to mind which has not yet been mentioned is that turns on red are not permitted here (except where a green arrow for the required direction is showing simultaneously). 

Where the "National Speed Limit" applies there are also no signs which actually state the speed explicitly, so you just have to know that the NSL sign means 70 mph on a dual carriageway (divided highway) and 60 mph on any other road (for a regular car).

3. I only had my US driving license for a few years, but I haven't had an accident or a speeding ticket so far, so does my NCB and insurance stuff transfer over here?

Some insurance companies might take it into consideration and give you a no-claim discount, others won't.  Insurance is one area where it really pays to shop around.