More license questions...

wow. what a headache!!! I can drive on my provisional and drive on my US licence at the same time during the first year and not have to have someone over 21 in the front? right? 

The entire photo thing is a British requirement.
DVLA wants to make sure someone can vouch for the photo being accurate.
I understand in the US, this isn't required, but then we use our Birth Certificates and Social Security cards as ID.

It is their way of getting secondary identification, that's all.

The "L" are available at a place called: Halford's (Auto Parts Store) - Very Cheap

Let me know if I can further help and check out: www.dvla.gov.uk
They explain it all in detail.

Take care.

One Last Thing to Remember -
You have to surrender your US Passport for up to four weeks!
If you plan on traveling during that time frame, you simply can't and banking can be difficult too.

Take care.

Ang-

You have it.  As long as your US licence is valid over here (less than one year since you moved), you can drive with no restrictions (well i'm not sure you could drive a lorry or anything but)

cheers

The "L" are available at a place called: Halford's (Auto Parts Store) - Very Cheap

Most auto parts stores sell them.   It's a legal requirement here for a learner to display an "L-plate" front and rear. 

You might also see green "P-plates" on sale as well.  These have only started to appear recently, and are intended to show other road users that the driver is newly qualified after passing the test.  Unlike L-plates, these are purely voluntary (although I believe Northern Ireland has a requirement for something similar -- they have their own vehicle/driver licensing system and operate under slightly different rules than the mainland).

oh anything random thing- you don't need to display the L plates while driving on your US licence.  however, when you go to take the practical test you must be in a car that displays them.  i went to take my test in my own car and i didn't have an extra mirror, or L plates.  we got it sorted but it made me flustered and ancy.

however, when you go to take the practical test you must be in a car that displays them.

Hmmm....          

It would be interesting to dig out the actual legislation on that one.    I wonder whether the law actually states that or whether it's just a local examiner who  normally only deals with U.K. learners and just assumes that it's required.

So....I moved here October 18th.  Who monitors when a year is up?  How do they know?

Once the year is up and say I've passed both the written and road tests, will I have a real license or will I still have a Provisional License for a while?  If so, how long until I get a full license?

Thanks!

say I've passed both the written and road tests, will I have a real license or will I still have a Provisional License for a while?  If so, how long until I get a full license?

The term "provisional" as used in Britain is rather confusing.  A provisional license is really just a learner's permit.  As soon as you pass the tests you are entitled to a "full" license and should receive it within a few weeks of sending away all the forms. 

Great, thanks!!  Sorry, I haven't done my research and am using you guys right now (but promise to do the research!!!)....  Another question, the forms you get in the Post Office, what do they do?  Do they enable you to get the study guide?  Is that the way to begin the process?  Also, are driving lessons expensive here?

A quick search on the subject of L-plates reveals the following from The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987:

Conditions attached to provisional licences
9.    ?(1)  Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5), the holder of a provisional licence shall comply with the following conditions in relation to motor vehicles of a class which he is authorised to drive by virtue of the provisional licence, that is to say he shall not drive or ride such a motor vehicle?

{.....}

(b) unless a distinguishing mark in the form set out in Schedule 2 is displayed on the vehicle in such manner as to be clearly visible to other persons using the road from within a reasonable distance from the front and from the back of the vehicle;

The "distinguishing mark" is the red "L" on a white background.

(5)  Any holder of a provisional licence need not comply with this regulation during any period in which?

 (a) he is treated, by virtue of regulation 25, for the purposes of section 84(1) and (2) of the 1972 Act as the holder of a licence;

Regulation 25 is the one which allows you to drive here on U.S. license for your first year:

Persons who become resident in Great Britain
25.  (1)  A person who becomes resident in Great Britain shall during the period of one year after he becomes so resident be treated for the purposes of section 84(1) and (2) of the 1972 Act as the holder of a licence authorising him to drive motor vehicles of the classes which he is authorised to drive by any permit of which he is a holder, if he satisfies the conditions specified in paragraph (2).

 (2)  The conditions mentioned in paragraph (1) are that:?

(a) the person who becomes resident shall be the holder of a permit which is for the time being valid; and

 (b) he is not disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence in Great Britain.

I can't see anything in the section relating to tests which mentions L-plates.   Of course, I'm no lawyer and there might be some later amendment or other rule which overrides these regulations, but on the basis of the sections quoted, it does appear that L-plates are not required for the test so long as you are still within the first year of being resident.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1987/Uksi_19871378_en_1.htm

Another question, the forms you get in the Post Office, what do they do?  Do they enable you to get the study guide?  Is that the way to begin the process? 

There are all sorts of forms in the post office for various things -- Application for a "provisional" license, application for vehicle registration, etc.   

The study guides and Highway Code (equivalent to a DMV driver's manual) can just be purchased in bookstores.  Your fellow Americans who have taken the tests recently will be in a better position to offer opinions as to the best study guides.    The testing aspect is very different than when I took the test over 20 years ago -- Back then there were no written theory tests at all; it was just the practical drive followed by the examiner asking a half dozen or so questions at random on the Highway Code.

Do you have to take lessons before taking the test?

Now I'm really wishing I had gotten my license on my last trip over.

Would it be better if I learn how to drive a manual before I go? Or would it be better if I wait and learn from scratch once I'm over there. I'm going on an internship, and I'm going to be the driver for my team, so I need to drive almost as soon as I land (no pressure at all...lol).

Just a comment on the whole photo/signed by someone who's known you issue...

We sent in my husband's application, passport, check, photo signed by someone, etc.  Had it returned in the mail saying "you must appear in person at the DVLA to have your photo signed by an official"  Reason?  Because we had not been in the UK for two years yet.  NOWHERE does it say that on the form or instructions, mind you!  I did, after an exhaustive search of the DVLA site, find the following in a PDF leaflet:

"If you have been in this country for less than two years you should take your application and identity documents to the nearest DVLA local office. Staff there are able to certify photographs in these circumstances."

  Fine.  So we go to the DVLA (had to go on a day I had off as there's no central London location where you can have this done). I figure I might as well have them sign my photo so I won't have to come again later (couldn't send mine in earlier as my passport needed to be renewed). 

DH goes up and gets his done, no problem.  Since he had sent his passport in earlier, it was marked on the form that DVLA had reviewed it so no need to send it again.  Thus form and payment is taken and they say he'll get the provisional license in a few weeks.

I go up to the counter and ask them to verify my photo.  But oh no.  They will not sign it and give it and the form back to you - you have to have it signed and just give it to them to send off along with your identity documents (my passport naturally).  Why they couldn't verify my photo and let me have the form back to send in later, I do not know.  Just the rules I guess.  And of course, what this means is that I have to go BACK to Wimbledon and have them sign my photo after my passport comes back from the US Embassy. 

Anyway just a word of warning in case anyone who's been here less than two years, don't know if it's happened to anyone else or if this is a new requirement.

Just a comment on the whole photo/signed by someone who's known you issue...

We sent in my husband's application, passport, check, photo signed by someone, etc. Had it returned in the mail saying "you must appear in person at the DVLA to have your photo signed by an official" Reason? Because we had not been in the UK for two years yet. NOWHERE does it say that on the form or instructions, mind you! I did, after an exhaustive search of the DVLA site, find the following in a PDF leaflet:

"If you have been in this country for less than two years you should take your application and identity documents to the nearest DVLA local office. Staff there are able to certify photographs in these circumstances."

 Anyway just a word of warning in case anyone who's been here less than two years, don't know if it's happened to anyone else or if this is a new requirement.

When I sent my information off to Swansea, I didn't have the photo signed at all since I haven't known anyone in the UK for two years to sign it. My application was returned, with my passport, check, and a letter stating I needed to have Section 7 Completed.

So I had my HR rep sign it for me, the only one that can verify my identity in the UK.
My provisional permit & drivers record was returned the next week. Now why you need a letter and a provisional card amazes me.
One thing - I have a work visa valid for five years and that could be the reason I didn't have to go to a DVLA Office. I also enclosed a copy of my employment verification letter with the paperwork. (Needed it to open a current account & get a visa)
If you have these documents, it may be easier to obtain a provisional permit?

Best of luck