License validity after one year

Hello to all,

I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a way of getting around the rule for being able to use our own licenses before switching over to a UK one.

I know that our licenses are valid for one year upon entering the UK. If I were to leave the UK for holiday and then come back, do you think I could count that as a restart to my one year? I can't find any sort of documentation on what the specifics are of 'entry in to the UK'. Do you think that could count as entry in regard to the date my visa was awarded (switched from one category to another)

Basically I'm in the process of getting a UK license and I don't think I'll be able to book in a driving test after my theory in time to be able to rent a car and take some visiting friends places when they are over at the end of april.

Any advice would be mega helpful!

I just found this on a website that DVLA provided to the American Embassy:

"A United States citizen who normally resides in the United States and is visiting or temporarily residing in the United Kingdom may drive by virtue of his/her valid American license for a period of one year from the date of his/her last entry visa. After this period has expired, he/she must be in possession of a British license"

I had my FLR M visa awarded last month, I was previously on a student one. Do you think that phrase 'date of his/her last entry visa' would mean my spouse visa would sort of reset that year probationary period?

I don't think there's a way around it and even if it's unclear, if you get pulled over and the officer finds out you've been here as a resident for over a year, it would be like you're driving without a licence, I think.....    Not something I would want to risk.

That said, some people have mentioned getting an international driving license from the US (through AAA or other offices).  Those are good for a year and they've post-dated it for me (this was a few years ago when I was travelling... not when I moved here).

No way around it, unfortunately.

The international driving license is only a translation of your actual license.  It has the information written in other languages.

If your license isn't valid then it doesn't mean anything.

I'm quite sure this exact scenario has gone to the courts with people trying to claim that having left and reentered restarted their year, and they lost the cases. I'm afraid you won't have a choice but to figure out public transport ways of getting your friends around or letting one of them rent a car and drive.

Bummer and a half. Many thanks, guys. Fingers crossed I can cram in a test before they get here!