One year driving rights on US license.

The provisional license is basically a learner's permit. If you were learning to drive from scratch, you would apply for a provisional license and once you received it, you would only be able to drive with a licensed driver/driving instructor in the car with you. You could then book and take the theory and practical tests when you were ready.

However, since you already have a US license, the rule about driving with another licensed driver does not apply, but you will need to hold a provisional license in order to book and take the UK tests.

The provisional license is basically a learner's permit. [...] You could then book and take the theory and practical tests when you were ready.

However, since you already have a US license, the rule about driving with another licensed driver does not apply, but you will need to hold a provisional license in order to book and take the UK tests.

Ah OK. So the process is as follow:
1) Apply for Provisional Driver License (PDL) by filling out Form D1

2) DVLA will send the PDL. This can ONLY be used for BOOKING and TAKING theory and driving test, NOT for actual driving (i.e. rent a car, buy a car). I MUST use my US driver license to drive in the meantime.

3) Book the theory and driving test (where do I do this? didn't see it on DVLA site)

4) Once I passed, DVLA will send a FULL UK Driver license. The PDL no longer active and can be thrown away.

Is the above correct? BTW, how long will it take to do all the above? I.e. 3 weeks to receive PDL, 6 weeks to book both tests, and then 3 weeks to receive the actual GB DL.

3) Book the theory and driving test (where do I do this? didn't see it on DVLA site)

https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/online_booking_1.asp

Yes you have the process correct. Once you pass the tests you are given a paper that acts as your license until the actual one arrives. I can't say I remember timelines for tests etc...mainly because I booked my practical one through a driving school. Most people find they need some lessons to break their bad habbits and to learn the expectations of examiners in the UK. The theory test I would guess you can book in about a week or so depending how flexible you are about when you can take the test (weekends and early mornings tend to be booked further in advance). You wont be able to book the theory until you have your provisional.

Good Luck..hope that helps a bit.

Is the above correct? BTW, how long will it take to do all the above? I.e. 3 weeks to receive PDL, 6 weeks to book both tests, and then 3 weeks to receive the actual GB DL.

That sounds reasonable, but the timing will really depend on:

- when you are able get a theory test appointment,
- whether you pass it first time (which most people do),
- how long the waiting list is for the practical test (I booked mine after I passed the theory,
  but the earliest test I could get was 2 months later as my local test centre is very busy),
- whether you pass the practical test the first time (which isn't very easy, but it can be done).

From what I remember, after you pass the practical test, you send your provisional license back to the DVLA and they replace it with a full license - I think the paper that acts as your license in the meantime is the mark sheet that the examiner fills out during the test.

The terminology used by DVLA is rather misleading in many respects (I imagine doubly so if you haven't grown up with it).   A provisional license being a learner's permit is one.  An endorsement is another.  It's not an extra entitlement added you might expect, it's a penalty recorded against you for some transgression of the law. 

It's crazy that even though your U.S. license is considered valid for driving normally for the first 12 months, it's not considered adequate to take the test, but there you go.  I long since gave up expecting logic from any of these places. 

Hey all,

I received the "Application for a driving license" form (form D1) and I am confused in regards to the "Confirming your identity" section. It says that I either provide a UK passport (don't have) or other non-UK issued document to prove my identity. If I chose the latter, I MUST get a UK resident that have known me for 2 YEARS to sign my photograph. I just arrived less than 2 months ago!

So what documents do you send to prove your identity?

2) DVLA will send the PDL. This can ONLY be used for BOOKING and TAKING theory and driving test, NOT for actual driving (i.e. rent a car, buy a car). I MUST use my US driver license to drive in the meantime.

I bought a car with just a provisional license.

So what documents do you send to prove your identity?

Send your US passport.

I think there are means of having the photo verified before sending it out - at a DVLA office or something. Keep digging on the website - it should tell you.

Thanks, Anne! I just found the thread a second before you posted the reply.

I bought a car with just a provisional license.

There's nothing to stop you buying a car even if you've never held a license of any sort.  In fact there's nothing to stop a 12-year-old buying a car and having it registered in his own name.

It was a finance issue for me. They wouldn't approve financing with my US license so I rushed to get my provisional license and picked up the car the day it came in the post....

When I came to the UK back in December to visit, I was with friends and we rented a car. I thought I had read that a non-uk driving license holder could drive in the UK for 2 years. I could be getting that wrong and it may have been 1 year. Either way it said that after that time had passed you had to get a UK license.

as for Americans needing to take the whole test again. I'm for it. Have you seen how some Americans drive back home? I also agree that everyone should have to go through this same process. I was fortunate to have a UK ex-pat as a driving instructor when I was 15 and in driving shcool. I think between her and my parents I ended up a pretty decent driver. Allthough I will admit, some of my friends may not feel the same. ha ha ha

Has anyone checked out the temporary v permanent resident's right to drive. According to DVLA, you may drive on your US license for one year from the date of entry if you are a permanent resident. However, temporary residents may drive for one year from their most recent entry. As I understand it, I am a temporary resident (work permit status) and should therefore not have to worry about obtaining a UK license until I obtain permanent resident status. Right? Or am I grasping at straws considering my one year anniversary is Wednesday...

Yes, you are grasping at straws. On the one year anniversary of you being in the country you lose your right to drive on your American License.

Why do the DVLA make them re-sit the whole thing? The DVLA can't even use the argument "it's to make sure they're safe on the road", because if this were the case; they wouldn't be aloud to drive at all, full stop!!!!
Basically (in my opinion) it boils down to the DVLA making money and lots of it! Woh, this makes me mad, the DVLA don't have a valid enough excuse to make ppl from the US (and other countries) re-sit the whole thing!
You could go into different tangents and state that those with points (or the equivilant) have to sit a test to make sure they're road worthy and increase what's required (test wise)  depending on how they got their restrictions or how many....but for someone with a clean license, who's been aloud to drive for a yr anyway - it sucks!!!!

Why do the DVLA make them re-sit the whole thing? The DVLA can't even use the argument "it's to make sure they're safe on the road", because if this were the case; they wouldn't be aloud to drive at all, full stop!!!!
Basically (in my opinion) it boils down to the DVLA making money and lots of it! Woh, this makes me mad, the DVLA don't have a valid enough excuse to make ppl from the US (and other countries) re-sit the whole thing!
You could go into different tangents and state that those with points (or the equivilant) have to sit a test to make sure they're road worthy and increase what's required (test wise)  depending on how they got their restrictions or how many....but for someone with a clean license, who's been aloud to drive for a yr anyway - it sucks!!!!

You should consider yourself lucky that you at least get a year on your American license to drive in the UK. When I moved to the USA I was given no such option. I had to retake the test, I produced my British license at the DMV and was given blank stares and then told that "we don't accept  foreign licenses". My point is that it's not only the UK that makes people from other countries retake the local test.