British Drivers License

Have any of you switched your American license over to a British one? Did you have to take lessons, etc? Or was it just a matter of filling out a form and sending it in?

x
Monica

Once you have been resident in the UK for 12 months, the UK no longer recognizes US drivers licenses.  There is no way to convert your US license (Commonwealth and EU citizens have a short cut).  You have to take both a written and pratical examination prior to the 12 month grace period.  The UK driving tests are about 10x more difficult then the US and it would be well advised to revise for the written exam and take lessons for the pratical, though they are not mandatory.

Have any of you switched your American license over to a British one? Did you have to take lessons, etc? Or was it just a matter of filling out a form and sending it in?

x
Monica

you cant just 'switch it'. 
you have to take a theory test, and then a practical test. 
i took a few lessons, and passed on my 2nd try.  Passing that test was a huge feeling of accomplishment, and im so glad i did it!

I am in Process of the doing the test now ..I will be doing practical on monday..
you must  take a theory test, and then a practical test. See all the steps below:

Step 1)
You need to send   the original passport, a passport style colour photograph and the fee of £38.00 to DVLA, Swansea.
See detail below
click here to Apply for a provisional driving licence



Step 2)
Buy theory test sofwate from Wsmihth for £9.98 dont forget to read question and answer.
         it should take about 2-4 days to be ready for the test.

   Click here to see : Driving Test Success Theory New Edition  CD

Step 3) Register online to pass the theory  test for £21.50  see the link below
         https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/online_booking_1.asp

Step 4) Register onine to pass the theory  test for £48.50  see the link below
         https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/online_booking_1.asp

Step 5) take two class for £18 each and £40 for  practical test
 

Total cost is £193 with 6-10 weeks process ..

Good Luck

kal

 

Have any of you switched your American license over to a British one? Did you have to take lessons, etc? Or was it just a matter of filling out a form and sending it in?

x
Monica

Not meaning to panic you, but the government is supposedly coming out with new and very stringent changes to the license process. It may be wise to get your license sooner than later.

L

I think Ill go carless while I'm in the UK and skip this whole testing business!

I think Ill go carless while I'm in the UK and skip this whole testing business!

One more thing ..
An American license is valid for the first 12 months of UK residence (international driver's permit is irrelevant), but after that you have to have a full UK license to continue driving
..
Kal

For those of you who have a British license, do you still have 2 parts?  The actual license with your picture on it as well as having the paper counterpart?  Some of the people I work with say they don't have one and never did have one.  DH has the 2 parts. But we were just confused.

For those of you who have a British license, do you still have 2 parts?  The actual license with your picture on it as well as having the paper counterpart?  Some of the people I work with say they don't have one and never did have one.  DH has the 2 parts. But we were just confused.

I got my UK license in 2004 and I have two parts.

Not meaning to panic you, but the government is supposedly coming out with new and very stringent changes to the license process.

I heard about that a few days ago, although if any changes do occur it will probably be a year or two down the line.   The idea that it will improve the overall standard of driving is, in my opinion, quite false.   The way that some people drive they would never pass the current test, nor indeed the "old" test (before the written theory and hazard-perception elements were added).   It's what happens to some people's attitude to driving after the test which is the problem.

For those of you who have a British license, do you still have 2 parts?  The actual license with your picture on it as well as having the paper counterpart? 

Yes.  When the photocard licenses were being discussed I thought that a convenient credit-card sized license would be a great improvement on the giant sheets of wallpaper which had been in use since the mid-1970s.   Then when they finally appeared, they came with the "counterpart" section too.

Officially, the counterpart section is supposed to be needed to go with the card to confirm validity.  In practice though, I've found that it's not needed so often.  I just carry the card part in my wallet and it's been accepted on its own as ID at the bank, and when I was pulled over by a cop a couple of months ago and produced just the card he never asked me for the counterpart as well.

I heard about that a few days ago, although if any changes do occur it will probably be a year or two down the line.   The idea that it will improve the overall standard of driving is, in my opinion, quite false.

I don't think I mentioned anything about the changes improving driving standards and lessening accidents. In fact, I'm always preturbed about how fees for driving seem to be forever on the increase, yet I see little improvement in public transport.

I started driving in the UK in May 2002 and actually took (and passed) my test July 2005. Although what I did was illegal, there was no agency checking up on me, so I took my sweet time.

It's worth mentioning to anyone coming over to the UK that they may not want to wait the full year, in case they fail the test and have to rebook. Or if they live in an area where rebooking a test takes a month.

One to two years isn't a lot of time! 

I don't think I mentioned anything about the changes improving driving standards and lessening accidents.

No, I didn't mean to imply that that's what you were suggesting.  It's what a government spokesman was claiming in the news.   

Although what I did was illegal, there was no agency checking up on me, so I took my sweet time.

There are so many rules it's almost impossible to live a normal life without breaking a few every day.   

It's worth mentioning to anyone coming over to the UK that they may not want to wait the full year, in case they fail the test and have to rebook. Or if they live in an area where rebooking a test takes a month.

One to two years isn't a lot of time! 

we've done some research in preparation and found that it's also incredibly expensive to insure someone who has a US license, as opposed to someone who has a UK license.

Actually, I am insured with Norwich Union on my American license for less than what they will charge me after I pass the British test. The reason is that I qualify for the 5+ years no claim discount as an American (I brought written confirmation from my former insurer), but when I switch over, I supposedly lose the discount.   

we've done some research in preparation and found that it's also incredibly expensive to insure someone who has a US license, as opposed to someone who has a UK license.

Not necessarily -  when Chris called to add me to his insurance (he's got third party fire and theft through Admiral), it only cost £32 to add me to his policy for the remainder of the year - over eight months, at that point!  Of course, I've got 11 years no-claims and he just got his license in June, so he was already paying something absurd like £600 per year just for him....

Shop around a bit - and if you've got a good driving record, bring a copy of that (you can get it from your local DMV for a few bucks).  A letter from your insurance company testifying to your good history with them might be helpful, too.