More license questions...

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.

How come you want a LHD car?  Just curious - I would like one too but I'm guessing they're a lot more expensive here?

Eeek! I just read the part about having to give them your passport. Based on people's experience is it "up to a month" meaning you may get it back sooner or "a month" meaning don't plan on seeing it for 31 days?

I going to have to be travelling a bunch in a couple of months and I also need to take the driving test in that time frame (because I know I won't pass if I go take it today).

Also, what about the question asked earlier about how do they determine when your year of residency start? Do they look at the passport stamps or something?

I'm a bit worried about this whole drivers licence thing, and the passport issue just adds one more complication.

I definitely would not plan on seeing it for at least 3 weeks.  That is longer than it took for me to get mine back but you never know - they might have a backlog when you send yours in or something.  Definitely don't count on getting it back sooner than the guidance they give.

If I were you I would probably wait until I was done traveling to send my passport off - just because I wouldn't want the anxiety of not getting it back on time (assuming you are going by say June).  You already have the provisional right? 

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?  

You can.  There's nothing to stop you driving an American LHD car here.  I've been doing that for years.

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?

No.  So long as you have a license for the appropriate category of vehicle (i.e. manual license if it has manual transmission, within the weight limit, etc.) there are no specific LHD/RHD distinctions.

I've had a lot of people here over the years question me about the supposed "difficulty" of having LHD here, but to be honest I've just never found it to be any sort of problem.  Yes, there are occasions when being on the left restricts the view for passing, but there are other times when it actually affords a better view.    Swings and roundabouts.

Also, what about the question asked earlier about how do they determine when your year of residency start? Do they look at the passport stamps or something?

Yep, they check the visa in your passport.

I got mine back in about 8 days. Make sure you send it in an overnight, recorded delivery envelope and enclose a self-addressed overnight, recorded delivery envelope for them to get it back to you in.

If I were you I would probably wait until I was done traveling to send my passport off - just because I wouldn't want the anxiety of not getting it back on time (assuming you are going by say June).  You already have the provisional right? 

I just have my US licence so far. I'm going to have to sit down with a calendar and figure out a timetable. We arrived in late August last year, so I have to do something by that time this year. We are planning a trip to the US around a conference in late July. I'm going to have to go to Europe to do PhD research sometimes, probly in June. Maybe with a little fiddling I can fit in time for them to have my passport. Then I have to prepare, take, and pass the test.

We thought about bringing our LeftHD car from the US. But concluded it wasn't worth the effort. I became completely comfortable with the RHD car we bought here in about two days. It was weird shifting with the wrong hand for a couple of days but after that its been fine. So if that is the concern it can be mastered. Just plan on a few days sticking to quiet roads. Fortunately, up here in rural Scotland we have lots of quiet back roads.

I just have my US licence so far. I'm going to have to sit down with a calendar and figure out a timetable. We arrived in late August last year, so I have to do something by that time this year. We are planning a trip to the US around a conference in late July. I'm going to have to go to Europe to do PhD research sometimes, probly in June. Maybe with a little fiddling I can fit in time for them to have my passport. Then I have to prepare, take, and pass the test.

Well you should just send it off ASAP to get your provisional.  That way you will get it back before you leave in June.  You will definitely get it before then if you send it now.

David - don't forget you have to do the 'written test' as well...and need the provisional license before that!  So get it ASAP cause it takes a few weeks to schedule the written part and then a few weeks to schedule the driving test...it's a pain that way!  And don't think that the written part will be a blow off cause it's frickin tough!  (study, study, study!)

How come you want a LHD car?  Just curious - I would like one too but I'm guessing they're a lot more expensive here?

At first thought, LHD car is supposed to lower the stress of unusual (my pardons to Britan people) type of driving. I am not aware of price differences for R/L HD cars; I have found a couple of Web sites that sell LHD cars in GB exclusively.

On the second thought, since I definitely will not learn driving with manual trans.,  and I am driving on the left side of the streets in Connecticut (a lot of one-way roads), I have started to think about normal in UK RHD car with automatic transm. Yes, automatic is more expensive that manual but I got used to it in US.

I have posted a question about car auction. Does anybody know how to find one and what are the benefits of it over a regular dealer?

Hey guys, how do you get flag icons under the name?

Go to the member map(above) & place yourself on it!

Hi Michael P,

I'm not so clued up on the license side of things when it comes to someone in your situation, I guess the responses from others who can tell you more are better. However, I'll pick up a couple points you've mentioned

1. LHD Cars - Like Paul 1966 says, you can drive any left hand drive, manual or automatic car here no problem at all. Me and my bro share a 2003 Harley Davidson Edition Ford F150 Truck (for sale by the way!!) and I personally don't mind left hookers at all. My bro is less keen, but it is very much a personal thing. Insurance is generally higher especially for cars that are generally seen as right hand drive cars by the UK insurance industry. Sometimes though it is worth ringing around as I've had some companies quote me the exact same amount for a LHD compared to the usual 'UK standard right hand drive' question.

2. I don't think theres any 'less' stress with driving a LHD here, if anything you're road awareness and arguably, your stress level will increase! - You've got to ensure you can safely manouvre (sp?) as you're on the opposite side of the car, you have to double check for visibility all the time etc etc.

3. There most certainly IS a pricing difference for equivalent cars in RHD or LHD form. RHD will always be worth more here. For those of us (like me) who don't mind sitting on the wrong side, there are some terrific price savings to be had by going for a left hooker. Usually though, you'll find it's the more 'desirable' end of the market that has these pricing differences. Porsches, Ferrari's, Lambos being the most obvious examples of marques which sell 'generally' quite a fw thousand cheaper for being LHD in the UK.  The cars which can ONLY be LHD - bit like my truck, things like Corvettes, Mustangs, Escalades etc will not be subject to this price level difference  - However, there is a company that will undertake RHD conversions for usually LHD only cars. The quote I got for our truck was £6000! needless to say, I did NOT go ahead with it! - When it comes to 'normal' cars, then LHD will always be cheaper - just take a look in your local Auto Trader magazine and compare examples of LHD cars that have the same in RHD form.

4. Car Auctions - In a nutshell, you can get some excellent bargains but you also need to be highly vigilant to ensure you get a decent car - which means do your homework and have a appreciation for mechanical know how. I've been to many auctions, only ever bidded personally myself once and walked away with a 2001 Transit Van for around £3500 cheaper than a dealers forecourt. Some car auctions can be held in a field or an open space with a busted up barn - only go to those if you know EXACTLY what you're doing, you can pick up the very best bargains here and also some of the worst nightmares too!  I don't know where in the country you are/going to be. Nearest place to me is Camberley which has a large BCA (British Car Auctions) centre and sales all through the week. Check their website for more info. At the actual auction itself, you need to be on your toes, and the pace can and often is very very fast indeed - you're going head to head with car dealers for whom this is their bread and butter - One rule I'll say is, whatever you do DONT go above your pre determined budget. It's sometimes very very very difficult to do, especially when you see the car go for only a few hundred or so above your limit. I'd also say go for the sales which are the guaranteed, ex lease, ex company car and private examples. Try to avoid the 'any' type sales as that's where all sorts of nightmare cars can turn up, but similarly some great bargains too. The advantage over a dealer price is of course you'll save some dosh. Some sought after cars though will approach forecourt prices though, be aware of that. Another option for you if all that sounds too frenetic for you is to check all the big car supermarkets. We have the biggest one in Europe here in Slough, and I've seen the place grow and grow over the years. The cars are very very very nicely priced too! there's also the Car Giant in White City NW London, great place and again lots and lots of choice.

I could go on and on about buying, running and driving cars! but i'll shut up now!  let me know if you want the F150 truck too!!  it's 'Only' £80 to fill up ! 

Cheers! Dennis! West London & Slough UK!!

Yeah I thought there was a price different for right hand vs. left hand.  Glad you confirmed that Dennis!!  Hey Dennis I hope you are planning to come to drinks!!!

Insurance is generally higher especially for cars that are generally seen as right hand drive cars by the UK insurance industry. Sometimes though it is worth ringing around as I've had some companies quote me the exact same amount for a LHD compared to the usual 'UK standard right hand drive' question.

The insurance companies are a law unto themselves when it comes to quoting premiums.   Over the years I've had some who have quoted the same price for LHD as for RHD, and some who don't even bother to ask which it is.  I do remember one which quoted just £15 per year extra for LHD.

However, there is a company that will undertake RHD conversions for usually LHD only cars. The quote I got for our truck was £6000! needless to say, I did NOT go ahead with it! -

I've never really seen the point of these conversions.  It's a big job, and one that I can't see as being anywhere worth the investment in time and money involved.  

Trivia:  Australia has a whole load of idiotic regulations affecting LHD cars.   In fact except for classic cars driven only in shows and parades, they pretty much don't allow LHD cars on the road at all.

I could go on and on about buying, running and driving cars! but i'll shut up now!  let me know if you want the F150 truck too!!  it's 'Only' £80 to fill up ! 

I'm going to fill up my Chevy camper in Norwich this afternoon.  It hurts too much to type the cost, but let's just say it has a 40-gallon tank!    

Hiya,

Paul - Have you looked into getting your motor LPG converted? I've just found out about it for the Truck and it's certainly feasible. In case the Truck doesn't sell (it's been advertised for the last 5 months!) then we'll probably keep it and do the LPG conversion. It's a business vehicle and so we can always write it off on the accounts of the company and claim back the VAT on the cost of conversion (£2150+VAT) . As this truck is Supercharged, there's only one company in the UK that can do the work! However, I'm assuming a Chevy Camper isn't Supercharged and therefore more of the usual LPG conversion people will be able to undertake the work and maybe provide a nicer price. Bringing the running (petrol!!!) costs down is only a  good thing on these large capacity engines, and I'm VERY tempted to say to my bro, lets do the conversion and keep the Truck, running it on 34pence/litre of LPG is approx a 66% saving, making it the equivalent of fuelling a 2 litre mondeo or something!

The truck is great for when we did deliveries in it etc, but mainly was just for show, a bit of a novelty/advertising for the business and generally cruising around being different and getting lots of attention! every time I put my foot down I'd laugh at the look of astonishment of drivers who didn't think a truck could move so fast and thing 'dam doing that just cost a tenner in fuel!' 80 quid fillup and with a careful right foot it'd do about 220 miles to the tank and with a heavy right foot, about 160 -180 miles to the tank !! OUCH!

GeetaK - I shall certainly aim for popping over for drinks again. Do you or yer other half drive here yet? looking to buy a left hooker ?

Cheers! Dennis! West London & Slough UK!!