Need to Get My Uk License Fast - I Think??

Hi Everyone,

First post - so bare with me

First entered the UK to live on October 18 2004 and am just now getting around to the driver license issue. Going to send in for a provisional license ASAP, but it looks doubtful that I will get everything done by October 18, 2005 .

Do I have any wiggle room on when "official residency starts" with regard to how long I can drive on my US license? Does residency start the day I walk into the country with my resident visa (Oct 18)?

Any thoughts or prayers would be helpful.

Regards,

Ed

I think the big concern is insurance coverage.  Yes, insurers will take your money.  But if you so happen to be involved in a smash and they find out just how long you've been driving here, and it's longer than the year, don't be surprised if they deny the claim.

I'm afraid your residency does start the day you arrive, but there are lots of folks who "wiggle" a bit when it comes to dates.  Expat is right though; it's an issue of insurance and if you get stopped or have a wreck, it won't be good!  There are driving schools that you can go to for intensive weekend-type courses if you can't get your test booked soon enough.  I think you have to sit your theory test first though, so you'll need to get that sorted asap.

Hey, Gargoyle. Everyone's advice is spot on. You need to get moving and book your test!! Get a theory study guide and book the theory test ASAP. Then take a couple of lessons before dong your practical test.

I ended up driving "illegally" for about four months (i.e., I didn't officially get my UK license until 16 months after moving here). I had no problems, but I was constantly aware that I was breaking the law and I was extremely careful. I didn't break the speed limit once and I didn't drive on motorways -- pretty much kept my driving to a minimum (to and from Tesco).

Good luck to you!

Ed,

I was able to start the driving lessons using my US license before I had a provisional UK license.  The instructor was well aware of the one-year validity rule.

Beyond that I can't give you much encouragement.  The waiting time for the driving test may be two or three months, and you cannot book it until you have passed the theory and hazard perception tests.  

My first try at the driving test is Oct. 11, so in the words of that Canadian sage, "I'm pulling for ya, we're all in this together."

Jim

Not to crash the thread but my second attempt is booked in for 12 Oct, Jim...so good luck to us both!

Wishstar,

Yes, God help us all. 

If I'm not mistaken, you did not say exactly what went wrong on your first try.  Please do, if it's not too painful.

Jim

I think I can just about manage to think about it now, Jim, so don't mind at all.

Two things went wrong:  one was down to stupidity, the other down to bad luck.

First, I was on a very narrow one way street, and was asked to turn right at the top of it.  I didn't position myself over to the right side of the street enough for his liking - so that was a failure right there.  (Apparently it was serious because another car could have come up next to me...I'd have like to see them try!  The road was very narrow...but anyway...I'm not bitter, no way.)  Stupid mistake, but I honestly didn't think I'd done anything wrong.

Second, I was doing my hill start on a road just after a bend which was just off a very busy round-about.  Just as I was moving away, a lorry came shooting around the corner like a bat out of hell.  I saw the guy and was fine, but it spooked the examiner, and he felt I should have stopped or seen it earlier. 

I'll get it right next time tho!

Not to crash this thread either but my 2nd attempt at passing is today at 2:05  ... I wasn't too nervous the first time around but jeez I'm feeling nervy and well can't wait for it to be over.  

So wish me luck!!!

Maureen

Maureen,

Here's wishing you second-time lucky.  Tell us about what happened the first time if it will help calm you.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Well I think it's a bit stupid really!!!  But let's start off by saying I did the show me tell me and I got that all done with fine! And we get into the car and the guy asked me what part of Ireland I'm from.  Now I have a pretty distinct New York accent so I'm not quite sure where he got that from!   But everything was fine until I got the dreaded reverse around the corner.   The maneuver was perfect with the exception I didn't look over my right shoulder enough when I was reversing.  Other then that I got 6 minor faults...

But I live near the mother of all roundabouts!   I absolutely hate it but got through it twice! But my first test was on a Saturday morning at 8:30 so it was dead quiet. Now it's going to be busier and I'm more freaked out about this stupid round about then anything.   Ughhhhhhhhhhhh and aside from that my husband was sent out to sea today so I can't even celebrate and god forbid cry to him tonight about it!

See I really am a bit nervous!!!  Never mind it will all be over in about 3 hours either way!!!

Thanks so much!

Maureen

Good luck Maureen!  I'll have my fingers and toes crossed for you!  

Good luck to everyone else too, my first test (and hopefully only one) is on the 2nd of November.  I feel like I have a decent chance but I read stories like Wishstar's and I then start to doubt myself.  I just got done with my second driving lesson.  My driving instructor hasn't died of fright so I feel like I'm doing ok....  

Maureen,

He probably doesn't care anything about Ireland, he just wants to see if you are checking the mirrors for hazards while talking.  My instructor warned me about that.

sariann,

Those are my sentiments exactly.  Good luck on 2nd Nov.

Jim

Jim - good luck to you as well!  I hope you will have good news for us on the 11th of October!

Haha it just makes me laugh at all of us, who have to go through this whole procedure again.  Ahh, I remember when I was 16 thinking, "Yay!!  No need to ever have to do this again!!!"

How wrong was I. 

- Sari

sariann

If I don't post on this thread on October 11, it will mean I failed, because I will be too humiliated to post.

Unlike you, I don't remember my first driving test.  It was 39 years ago.  39 years, no points, no accidents, and it counts for nothing here.

Jim