More license questions...

I also have a 5 year work permit and my husband has a 5 year dependent visa.  I don't know if that will help me get the provisional (haven't sent mine in yet) but maybe I will try it.  Carson why did you think to include a copy of your employment letter?  That hadn't occurred to me but maybe I will try it?

geeta

Carson why did you think to include a copy of your employment letter? That hadn't occurred to me but maybe I will try it?

geeta

I had heard from the relocation company we used that the letter informs the DVLA clerk that you have the legal right to be here and didn't move for the social benefits. I've also heard the British are more willing to help you if they know you are here to improve their economy and not become a social services dependant. 

Best of luck and hope it works for you as it did for me.

"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). 

is the DVLA office (the one that you went to anyway) as horrible as some DMV offices?  is it necessary to make an appointment or can you just walk in?  if you just walk in, are you left waiting there for hours for your number to be called?

is the DVLA office (the one that you went to anyway) as horrible as some DMV offices?  is it necessary to make an appointment or can you just walk in?  if you just walk in, are you left waiting there for hours for your number to be called?

Not horrible at all - we went in on a weekday, maybe Wednesday, and got there at about 9:30 AM.  We just took a number and they called us in about 10/15 minutes?  We were there no more than 30 minutes maximum - and that was for both me and DH's applications.  We went to the Wimbledon office, by the way.

  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.

Guys,
I have followed your discussion and have not got one thing only (BTW, thanks a lot for answering all these questions): I you are a first year resident in UK (from US, e.g.) and you live alone or with your spause (also from US), how can you drive at all on provisional license if it  requres a 3 year licensed person in the car? Where one can get such person? We are not kids...

So, my take of it there is one one way of dealing with that law - do not use ( but have ) provisional license  for the first year and by all means pass all tests to apply for the full license. Am I correct?

Guys,
I have followed your discussion and have not got one thing only (BTW, thanks a lot for answering all these questions): I you are a first year resident in UK (from US, e.g.) and you live alone or with your spause (also from US), how can you drive at all on provisional license if it  requres a 3 year licensed person in the car? Where one can get such person? We are not kids...

So, my take of it there is one one way of dealing with that law - do not use ( but have ) provisional license  for the first year and by all means pass all tests to apply for the full license. Am I correct?

We were wondering this as well, as both my husband and I are new residents in the UK.  My husband is just going to get his provisional license while he's stilll using his US license, so he will have his full license by the time his year on his US license is up.  Just like you suggested, he won't actually be using his provisional license.

Please, excuse me if it is an obvious thing: ImissEngland asked if he had to learn driving with stick.

Who decides what car to drive: me or the Highway Code? Why I should drive with manual transmission and on the right-side driver seat? Why I cannot drive an American/European car with a left-side driver seat and automatic transmission following Britan's  Highway Code?

Technically I guess you cannot drive without a licensed UK driver if you have the provisional.

BUT - you can drive on the US license.

So yes, you drive on the US one (practice for the exams and all) then take your exams ASAP or at least before your year is up and then you'll have the full license.

As JessicaAnne said, you get the provisional while you are still allowed to drive on the US license.

Please, excuse me if it is an obvious thing: ImissEngland asked if he had to learn driving with stick.

Who decides what car to drive: me or the Highway Code? Why I should drive with manual transmission and on the right-side driver seat? Why I cannot drive an American/European car with a left-side driver seat and automatic transmission following Britan's  Highway Code?

my understanding is that you can do what you want basically.  but if you have a left hand drive, some things are harder to see (like passing cars) and insurance might be more expensive.  

as for driving an automatic...if you take your test in an automatic car, you are only permitted to drive automatics.  but if you are quite happy with that...then i say go for it.

Oh, I agree, it is more difficult to see cars on your right side driving on the left hand drive. It is really an issue if you are on two and more lane road and ride in the left lane (in Connect., there are a lot of one-way roads and I usually drive at the left side of them, i.e. in UK manner).

Do you know any particular rules that I cannot satisfy having a left hand drive?

i'm not sure about actually taking your driving test to get your license in a left hand drive car.  i don't know if they allow it or if they do if you will be required to learn rules specific to driving a left hand car in this country. 

it's a good question actually....i wonder if there is anything on the DVLA website about that....

Well, I tried to find the answer in DVLS on-line and found only this:
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practical_test/dt1/Chapter6.pdf

   6. SOP Section 7 CHAPTER 6
PARTICULAR TYPES OF VEHICLE AND ADAPTATIONS
 
   6.6 LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES

   6.8 VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

which does not restrict left-hand-drive cars in the test: "Examiners should bear in mind that a candidate driving a left-hand drive vehicle should exercise special care, and make full use of the mirrors when about to overtake other vehicles or change direction to the right."

Any comments?

i'm not having any luck finding anything.  you would think this type of situation has come up before and that it would be easy to find it.

i guess my next suggestion would be to either look at the website for a driving lessons company or call them directly.  surely they would know (assuming you don't get a dimwit who just started working there) since they specialize in helping people learn and pass their tests.

and now that i'm thinking about it....i wonder if those that currently have a GB license, but want to buy/drive a left side drive car, have to take additional tests or lessons?  i'm not even sure if that's the case in the US either...if you want to drive a right side drive car if you have to take a test. 

even tho drivers licensed to drive in both countries are essentially driving on the same side of the road and following the same regulations, i would think it would require more caution, awareness, etc. if driving a car on the opposite side that what is customary for each country.  hmm...interesting thought....

I will dig into this because I certainly want to get a LHD car and get UK fill LICENCE. I will post my findings. Thanks a lot for the comments.