Coming up on 1 year and no provisional

I realize there are at least a couple of threads that cover some of this ground already, but they tended to swerve into indignation over the inequality of US license holders having to go through the full testing process.  My problem is related.

Yes, I probably should have dealt with getting a provisional much earlier, but I also can't remember a time since I got here that I could give up my passport for a "minimum" of three weeks.  So now I'm stuck.  My 1 year is up on June 7th and I have no provisional and can't give up my passport as I have a trip home at the end of May.

Any ideas on how I should proceed are welcome as my job requires me to drive?  I don't care about being legal as much as I do the validity of my insurance.

Thanks,
Frog

p.s.  I'll keep searching for more posts on here, but if any of you know of ones that would help links are appreciated.

I'm way past my year and still driving. I got my provisional licence, but I don't even have enough room on a credit card to fund lessons at the moment.  You can find insurance, but whether or not you would actually be covered when push comes to shove is questionable since you would be driving illegally. Last year I was still insurred on my US license (non-exchangable foreign license is how it's worded for insurance) and this year I'm insurred on my UK provisional - it's more expensive but it's the only choice for now.

Word of warning though - if you're driving alone on a provisional license you're not following the rules for that license and so my guess is that your insurance would be void....

Any ideas on how I should proceed are welcome as my job requires me to drive?  I don't care about being legal as much as I do the validity of my insurance.

These two really go hand in hand, often the case is no licence = no insurance = illegal.

My own personal insurance states on the bottom of the certificate;

Provided that the person driving holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified for holding or obtaining such a licence

Depending on the circumstances and how your insurance policy is worded would depend on if you were covered, personally I would say as you have expired you privledges under the visitor scheme and you hold no UK licence you would not be insured. And I would care about the legality if I were you, yes I understand that your job requires you to drive but i'm sure you would'nt like the £300+ fine and 6-8 points put on a driving licence for you before you have started. Also under new police powers if you were stopped or in an accident and found to be uninsured you could get your vehicle towed away and end up stranded somewhere, aswell as you would have to think what would your employer do?

Remember that insurance companies will do their upmost to get out of paying up...you could be providing them with an excellent get out clause, leaving you with a big bill.
 

You cannot be "done" for driving without insurance so long as you have a policy, even if you are not complying with the conditions of that policy.  There is a clause somewhere in the insurance legislation which says that an insurer may not refuse to pay a third-party claim even if you were doing something illegal at the time.  It's quite logical in a way, since of course many claims result from some transgression of the law (speeding, driving too close, running a red light etc.). 

Strictly speaking though, after the 1 year allowance is up your U.S. license is no longer legally valid, so technically you could be charged with driving while unlicensed. 

You can make an appointment to go into the drivers license office so they can sign off on your application and you won't have to send your passport. 

I had to go to "verify" my photograph since nobody here that is not related has known me for something like 3 years and could sign the back of my photograph.

It took all of 15 minutes - went in, took a number, saw the person, they signed the paperwork and handed me back my passport.

Once you have your provisional, you can take your theory test immediately.  Then you can schedule your driving test which depending on the area can take up to 12 weeks.  You can call and see if they can put you on a waiting list for cancelled appointments.

My theory test is in two weeks with my driving one to be scheduled after I get that "pass".

~BEG

You can make an appointment to go into the drivers license office so they can sign off on your application and you won't have to send your passport. 

I had to go to "verify" my photograph since nobody here that is not related has known me for something like 3 years and could sign the back of my photograph.

It took all of 15 minutes - went in, took a number, saw the person, they signed the paperwork and handed me back my passport.

Once you have your provisional, you can take your theory test immediately.  Then you can schedule your driving test which depending on the area can take up to 12 weeks.  You can call and see if they can put you on a waiting list for cancelled appointments.

My theory test is in two weeks with my driving one to be scheduled after I get that "pass".

~BEG

Are you sure this is true, because they took mine and told me that they needed to take it.

Yes, I just did this back in February. I had a photograph attached to my application.  My passport verified my identification.  The guy at the desk checked it, signed my paperwork and handed me back my passport.

Getting the provisional license back will take about 3 weeks but I wasn't forced to hand over my passport.  If I had applied by mail, I would have had to send the passport.

~BEG

I wonder if they changed the passport rule for 2007.

I wonder if they changed the passport rule for 2007.

I don't know, because I just went to a local DVLA office and had to give my passport with my application. 

I had actually called the DVLA two weeks ago and confirmed it as well.  Maybe BEG was just lucky? I don't know..

I had actually called the DVLA two weeks ago and confirmed it as well.  Maybe BEG was just lucky? I don't know..

Definitely just lucky!    The rules haven't changed -- you still can't take a US passport to the premium checking service at post offices or DVLA offices.  The rules are here:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10028503

My husband applied a few weeks ago and they took his passport to send it off to the DVLA.  Said the current wait is 22 working days.  Great.   

Said the current wait is 22 working days. 

But what they neglect to tell you is that DVLA only works 2 days per week!   

But what they neglect to tell you is that DVLA only works 2 days per week!   

As long as his passport comes back before my brothers wedding in July that's all that matters!  I'm trying not to freak out about it but his passport has already been lost once + the visa replaced.  Eep.

I was dumb enough to think I could just go in schedule my theory and actual tests and be done with it...I wasnt aware there was a 3 week wait!! On top of that I've had my passport tied up w/immigration since march, and may not get it until the end of july...my year ends end of june...

do I really have to get a provisional license first? my dh doesnt drive, and his work is 40 mins one-way from here...so no way i can drive w/anyone present...totally ridiculous as I've been driving 10 d@mn years! and dont even get me started on the insurance...no one will give me a quote besides my current insurance providers ecause i'm 'too young' to have held a license that long...

do I really have to get a provisional license first? my dh doesnt drive, and his work is 40 mins one-way from here...so no way i can drive w/anyone present...totally ridiculous as I've been driving 10 d@mn years! and dont even get me started on the insurance...no one will give me a quote besides my current insurance providers ecause i'm 'too young' to have held a license that long...

Yes, you must have a provisional first.