Learning to Drive

Hello, I am fairly new to the UK, and have had a few driving lessons with my partner.  I was feeling very good about things until I bought  DRIVING INSTRUCTIONAL DVD and saw, basically I was not doing several things required.  I have been drivng inteh US for thirty years, and I have serious concerns about the push pull method of steering, concerned in as I will not be able to master it, another is not indicating during a turn, and then the thing about setting the emergency brake during certain types of stops.  My partner seems to think a proper driving instructor will be able to cure me of all my US driving knowledge, is there any way the two driving methods can find a happy medium, as I am all but ready to give up on it.  Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.  Oh yes, also  does anyone know for certain when  my residency officially begins.  I have two entry dates into the Uk one in Dec of 2005 and one in February of 2006.  My two year resident stamp was issued in March.  I am just not certain when to start counting the residency.  Thanks again to anyone responding to this

 My partner seems to think a proper driving instructor will be able to cure me of all my US driving knowledge

It worked for me!
There is NO WAY i would have passed the UK driving test if i hadn't gone for some proper lessons first...

Good luck.

Not sure about the residency issue, but YES! A driving instructor will be able to "fix" you!  I'd been driving in the US for 25 years, so I know where you're coming from. Have a few lessons from a good instructor, and you'll be fine. You may not keep up with what he/she teaches you once you have your license, but as long as you do it during your test you'll do great!

(Q-G beat me to it!)

You may not keep up with what he/she teaches you once you have your license, but as long as you do it during your test you'll do great!

True!

I still drive California-style!  But as long as i drove 'DVLA style' during my test, that's all that mattered.   As soon as i passed my test, i went back to my old habits.

is there any way the two driving methods can find a happy medium

not if you want to pass your road test.  your partner is spot on.  a driving instructor is crucial to passing the UK test.  after that, as long as you drive w/i the bounds of the law, you can pursue a happy medium to your heart's content.

I drove for 30 years in the US, too, before moving to the UK. My instructor said he thought I'd never be able to break those driving habits, but toward the end he was using me as a good example for his other students! My first lesson, I felt like a 16-year old, driving around a car park doing the push-n-pull steering. The hardest habit to break was not clutching to slow down - I had to actually use the brake pedal. And I had to learn to use mirrors -- I'd always just turned my head to look, never used anything but the rear view mirror. I think it was one of the most stressful things I've ever had to go through. I did end up passing my test on the first try, and I still find myself using many of the driving techniques my instructor drilled into my head. So your hubby and the driving CDs are right - you actually have to drive that way to get your license. A lot of it may feel ridiculous and petty, but it's their country and you have to jump thru their hoops if you want to get a license. You can do it, though! Good luck.

Thanks so much for your in depth response, cause I am feeling very inadequate at the moment, as in the US, I have a greaty driving history.  It is very difficult to move and then find out you signal too much, I sort of wonder how th ebrake lights know when to come on or not depending of course if there is anyone behind you.  I am kidding of course, yet in the US we are taught to  indicate during any turn or lane change, now it would seem one has to make a decision each time.  thanks again, you made me feel that bit better.

Is there a place online where I can order this Driving Instrcutional DVD ? 

Is there a place online where I can order this Driving Instrcutional DVD ? 

Amazon has it:

The above link gives you both CDs -- the theory test and the hazard test. I used the discs and they were fantastic!

Thanks for the link. 
I won't be looking for a license anytime soon but I need something to assist me for the next time I am over there and want to get a rental car. 
The last time we came for a visit we backed out of our rental car agreement because we didn't think we'd be able to handle the driving after all. 

What is this push/pull method of steering? 

had to chime in, i only passed b/c I have months of driving lessons and it still took 3 tries to pass! Now, I've gone back to how I was mostly before and am much happier for it.

What is this push/pull method of steering? 

I have no clue!! And I had lessons here in the UK and passed my test the first time ... but "push/pull"?? It's all Greek to me!

I have no clue!! And I had lessons here in the UK and passed my test the first time ... but "push/pull"?? It's all Greek to me!

push-pull = not crossing your hands on the steering wheel

push-pull = not crossing your hands on the steering wheel

Thanks! I didn't know it was called that! Yes, I did have to be broken of that habit! It is possible, though. And after you have your shiny new license in your grubby little paws you can go back to crossing over ... just as I did!

my US driving knowledge, is there any way the two driving methods can find a happy medium, as I am all but ready to give up on it.

Don't give up on it!  Thousands of ordinary Brits have done it and so can you!!  However the other posters are right, you have to temporarily do it their way to pass the test.  At least you have a clear idea of the things you need to be aware of, which can be a bit overwhelming, I'll admit.  I have 30 years experience driving  Los Angeles freeways, so I can relate to your feelings on this.  I tried to see it as a chance to refresh my skills, which cut back on my resentment level. (a little, anyway!) 

My biggest piece of advice (this is where you do as I say, not as I do) is DO NOT PUT IT OFF!!!   Get your theory test done and get some lessons and then practice, practice, practice.   If you put it off you really add a lot of pressure on yourself (I should know!)

Good Luck!

Kathleen