Provisional License

Just a quick question as I can't seem to find the answer. I've got my US driver's license and plan on getting my UK license as soon as I can figure out how to drive a manual gearbox car after moving. As long as I do this within the first year, do I need to get a provisional license? Also, would I need to take the written test and hazard perception test? Thanks!

You must get a provisional license, but (according to my husband) there is no set amount of time about how long you have to have it before taking the test...i.e. could take the test right after getting it.

You also will have to take the written and hazard perception test.

You might want to look into insurance rates before getting your provisional license. For instance, while I'm driving on my US license we get lower insurance rates than we will when I get a provisional license, because then I'll be considered a new driver. This may differ for you depending on what car you drive, what insurance company you go with, etc.

Because of this, I'm going to wait until right before I'm ready to take my test to get my provisional license, and go as far as possible (without going over a year) on my US license.

If I could have done things differenty I would have gotten my provisional licence as soon as I got to the UK. There is no test involved with getting your provisional licence. This way you can drive and practice without the L plates on your car your firstyear here. After your year is up, you have to drive with the L plates on your car and also have an UK licence holder who is 21 or older in the car with you. Go to www.direct.gov.uk/motoring for more info.

The next step is to take your theory and hazard perception test.

Finally your practical test.

I have insurance through AA and my rates are the same last year and this year.

You might want to look into insurance rates before getting your provisional license. For instance, while I'm driving on my US license we get lower insurance rates than we will when I get a provisional license, because then I'll be considered a new driver.

Your U.S. license still covers you to drive for your first 12 months, regardless of whether you also have a U.K. provisional.   No need to even tell the insurance company about getting the provisional license.

Our other concern about getting the provisional was that we saw a program on TV once where a Polish driver got pulled over on the motorway, and was given a ticket for driving on a provisional license without someone over 21 in the car. He argued that he also had a full Polish license, but the officer said that the rules of the provisional license overrode that. I figure I'll just hold off on getting the provisional until I need to for the test.

Unless the rules governing a Polish license are different from those governing a US license, the officer was incorrect in that case. Paul's right - your US license is good for 12 months, regardless of whether or not you have a provisional UK license.

Fair enough. It seemed unfair in any case. Guess that's two less things to worry about driving here in the UK.

Also, it must have been before Poland was part of the EU, since now there is reciprocity.

In any case, it's good to know that it's not true.

I'm afraid it's not at all unusual for some traffic cops to not understand the rules they are supposed to be enforcing, especially when it comes to anything which might be considered a little out of the ordinary.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, section 80:

Persons who become resident in Great Britain
     80.  - (1) A person who becomes resident in Great Britain who is -

      (a) the holder of a relevant permit, and

      (b) not disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence in Great Britain

shall, during the period of one year after he becomes so resident, be treated for the purposes of section 87 of the Traffic Act as the holder of a licence authorising him to drive all classes of small vehicle, motor bicycle or moped which he is authorised to drive by that permit.

Nothing about "unless the person holds a U.K. provisional."

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992864.htm

See also:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=25379.0;all

Thanks for all the advice. I move in 4 weeks and my goal is to get my UK license as soon as possible after moving, so just trying to figure out if I needed the provisional before taking lessons despite having my US license.