UK Licence

Im using my california license right now til the end of this year. I was wondering that do I have to get a pervisinal license first or cant I get the full UK license? Thanks. Im on my fiance visa right now and hopefully get my FLR on April..

I'm pretty sure you'll need to get your provisional. I know you definitely need it in order to take lessons so I'm sure you'll need it in order to drive during your exam.

Are you not planning on taking any lessons?

Im driving my own car here as of now. My Brother in law is a driving instructor also so he said he will help out more.

Ohhh, lucky you! Free driving lessons! They're not cheap! lol

I've been driving here since last June and just started lessons about two weeks ago. Definitely needed them. There are just too many little things I wouldn't have known about otherwise. Especially the hand brake thing.

You don't need it to start taking lessons - I didn't. But you do have to have it to take the theory and hazard portions of the exam. Once you pass the driving test then you turn it in and get a full license.

So, I should just apply for the pervisonial license. Thanks. I have to check how much that would be and is it a written test and driving test with it or? I been studing the highway code.

So, I should just apply for the pervisonial license. Thanks. I have to check how much that would be and is it a written test and driving test with it or? I been studing the highway code.

There's no test to get the provisional license. You just pay the fee. You will be OK to take lessons without a provisional license, as long as your US license is still valid. You can drive using your US license for 12 months in the UK, but it will not be valid beyond that.

Once you have your provisional license and feel confident enough to take the written and practical tests, you can apply for those.

And, I have to agree -- you are very lucky to have someone in the family who can give you free driving lessons!

You don't need it to start taking lessons - I didn't. But you do have to have it to take the theory and hazard portions of the exam. Once you pass the driving test then you turn it in and get a full license.

It must depend on the driving school. I called around to a few different driving schools here in Carlisle and they all told me I had to have my provisional even though I have a valid California state license that I'm still legal to drive on in the UK. The school I went with wanted to see my provisional license before they would let me drive the car.

It must depend on the driving school. I called around to a few different driving schools here in Carlisle and they all told me I had to have my provisional even though I have a valid California state license that I'm still legal to drive on in the UK. The school I went with wanted to see my provisional license before they would let me drive the car.

Oh, wow! I didn't know that! My driving instructor was cool with me having a valid US license.  But it looks like the OP's instructor won't be so fussy seeing as he's in the family!

lol yeah lucky me . So what you saying is I dont need a provisonal when I get my full UK license or will they ask for one when Im applying for it? Just makiing sure here.

You will not be able to get a full UK license unless you first get a provisional license. You must get a provisional license. That is the first step toward getting your full license.

(All we're saying is that you can go ahead and have your brother-in-law give you driving lessons now before you get the provisional license.)

ok cool.. . I wil do that then. Thanks everybody. I just have to stop hitting those damn curbs..lol..

It must depend on the driving school. I called around to a few different driving schools here in Carlisle and they all told me I had to have my provisional even though I have a valid California state license that I'm still legal to drive on in the UK. The school I went with wanted to see my provisional license before they would let me drive the car.

It might be an insurance issue.  Maybe some instructors' policies have a clause that they only cover a driver with a U.K. provisional and others are insured for any driver.

As for being required to obtain a provisional before taking the test here even if you have a valid U.S. license, it might be interesting to see exactly which part of the law stipulates that.   I wouldn't be surprised though -- Anything to gouge a little more money from people.

I passed my driving test on SATURDAY!!  I just wanted to brag a little, only because I have been soo stressed out by all this mess of trying to fix 13 years of bad habits in just a few months. 
I didn't need my provisional to take lessons so it must depend on the company.  You do have to have the provisional to take the tests though. 
BUT I would definitely take lessons - I certainly wouldn't have passed without them, that a lot of prayer!!

Good luck!

Congrats, JennyLyn!