Learning to drive / converting to drive in the UK

I'm surprised they let you have a lesson without a provisional licence.

The instructor, from an established company, accepted my US license without hesitation.  The retired police officer who lives in a downstairs flat also thought the arrangement completely acceptable.

The lessons were very useful as an advance assessment of where I stand.

I have of course driven rental cars in the UK over the years, so this was not my first time out.

Jim

I was wondering the same thing as I have dual citizenship.  Not that I want to break any laws, but how would they know how long I have been here?

I'd wondered that too. It's of no consequence now that I'm fully legal and all, but I did sort of think I could get away with it if I really wanted to! I guess maybe they'd know if they looked into it closely and saw when you took out an auto insurance policy. Wouldn't be easy, though! My US license is still valid, so my boyfriend says that if I ever get caught, I should show that and claim that I'm new in the country. I think I'm too law-abiding (i.e., chicken) to try to pull that, though! 

Belindaloo, I am too 'chicken' in the same way as you. 
I am driving here, thinking I will wait till the last minute (oct, 2005) to get my UK license, because I don't want to pay all that money!!!!

Seriously, though, do you have to take lessons, or can you just study on your own and go through the process?

BTW, THANK YOU for this most useful thread!

Seriously, though, do you have to take lessons, or can you just study on your own and go through the process?

You don't have to take lessons - in theory at least, you could self-study for the theory and hazard tests (and even on your USA license practise unaccompanied in a vehicle).  However, I would advise at least one or two lessons from a professional instructor; they know what examiners look for - which is different to what examiners in other juristictions look for, I believe - and offer advise that is worthwhile.

Think of it like this ... especially if you're leaving your test to the last minute, you REALLY don't want to fail, do you? Wouldn't you be really pi**ed off with yourself if you failed because you hadn't realised something about (say) letting the wheel slide through your hands, hill starts or 3 point turns that you do safley but unconventionally for the UK way?

However, I would advise at least one or two lessons from a professional instructor; they know what examiners look for - which is different to what examiners in other juristictions look for, I believe - and offer advise that is worthwhile.

I absolutely agree. Have a couple of lessons if for no other reason than learning the route that the examiner might use for you. My driving instructor taught me all the little tricky roads that they try to trip you up on -- oneways that aren't clearly marked as such, sharp turns that are easy to miss, etc. Plus, he told me who all the examiners were and what their idiosyncracies were. The lessons were well worth it, if only for that.

Think of it like this ... especially if you're leaving your test to the last minute, you REALLY don't want to fail, do you? Wouldn't you be really pi**ed off with yourself if you failed because you hadn't realised something about (say) letting the wheel slide through your hands, hill starts or 3 point turns that you do safley but unconventionally for the UK way?

YES!  I would be pi**ed, and very sheepish.  Your response made me laugh!  I always want to do everything on my own - (it's one area I lack maturity )  I guess I am off to find an istructor!
Thanks again for the advice.