Driving on an American licence

What are the rules with driving with a US licence in the UK? I know its allowed for 12 months. But say I drove in the UK for 12 months, left back to the states for a bit, then came back to the UK, would I be able to drive on my US licence for another 12 months? Just wondering if it starts over again if you leave then come back.

You have 12 months to drive on your American license, regardless of if you leave and return or not - I seem to recall someone on the forum who thought it reset the way you're suggesting so kept strategically leaving the country, only to find out their insurance was invalid as they'd been driving without a license when they got into an accident and tried to make a claim.

Note that it doesn't matter if you drive or not - once you've been here 12 months, regardless of if you've been driving, you can no longer drive under your American license.

12 months from the date of entry on your visa. Your insurance company will happily take your money after that but won’t pay out (even if not your fault).  You’ll also get penalties for being an unlicensed driver.

I’m still waiting for someone to drive to the test centre on a US license within 12 months, fail the test and drive away!


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It’s happened!!

I’m still waiting for someone to drive to the test centre on a US license within 12 months, fail the test and drive away!


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My wife did this on her first attempt (she has since passed).

My wife did this on her first attempt (she has since passed).

  What a boss! I would have loved to see the instructor's face. 

I remember laughing with the examiner that he could fail me and I could still drive around for the next 8 months without a care in the world.  He was a cheery chap, we laughed the entire time through my exam.

  What a boss! I would have loved to see the instructor's face. 

Remember @writeshawnna ?  Happened to her.  She failed and drove home.    If I recall correctly at least!

I’m still waiting for someone to drive to the test centre on a US license within 12 months, fail the test and drive away!


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I did that back in 2007.

I’m still waiting for someone to drive to the test centre on a US license within 12 months, fail the test and drive away!


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I did MANY years ago.. been here 23 years this year ..

Well come on you two, give us the details!  Did it piss off the examiners?

Yeah, what was the look on their faces?!

Oh, sorry I just failed my driving test. Let me just get back in this car, by myself, and drive, unsupervised, back home. And we'll give this another go later. Thanks! Bye!

Well come on you two, give us the details!  Did it piss off the examiners?

Was soooo long ago.. I honestly don't remember.. I do remember loving being allowed to to drive away tho