UK License...anyone have an idiots guide?

Okay, I would like to preface this post by saying yes, I have used the search function and I have read about 20 threads ranging in age from new to ancient and I am still confused. I know it has been discussed a million times but I think I need it broken down into easy steps. If there is already a thread that fits this description and I've just not found it, I would be most obliged if someone could link me in the right direction. If there isn't, perhaps one should be created & stickied so that people like me, who are slow on the uptake, don't have to add clutter to the board

Basically, I'm just a little lost as to where to begin. I've been living in the UK for more than a year so I know I need to apply for a provisional license. From my manic searching I've done, I saw that you can get this form from the post office but it also mentioned getting your passport confirmed and people disagreed on what was appropriate which left me a bit perplexed. The other threads also mentioned that you need a referee who has known you for more than 2 years. This has me a bit confused as well as I would assume that many people on the forum were able to obtain their provisionals without even being here for that long, so whats the deal with that?

How long does the whole process take? How can you find reputable lessons? How much are tests? How long are waiting lists?

Again, I'm sorry for brining up again, I'm just still totally and completely lost!! >_<

In our experience, the DVLA would not accept a referree for my husband (since he hadn't been here two years) and he had to go to the DVLA in person to submit his application.  From there they sent it to Swansea and had to send his passport with it.  Them looking at it wasn't enough.

I got my form from the post office.

I went to my local DVLA with my passport, application, photos, payment and prepaid return envelope.

The DVLA person signed the back and submitted the passport, application, photos and envelope to Swansea.

I received my passport and provisional in about a week. I had to sign for the passport at the PO and the provisional came separately straight to my door.

Next I booked a time to do the theory, paid online, I studied and passed.

Once I passed, I started taking lessons with an instructor, more money spent.

I signed up for a exam, paid online and passed and now I am a UK driver.

I've been talking to co-workers and they say there is a difference between a full driving license and a license just for people who drive automatics. Is this true? What kind of differences?

Can you choose to take lessons soley in an automatic. Or will I absolutely have to learn to drive manual?

I received my passport and provisional in about a week. I had to sign for the passport at the PO and the provisional came separately straight to my door.

Lucky you!! I'm in a panic now!!!

yes.  there is an automatic licence, and a full licence (automatic & manual).

the provisonal, theory, hazard perception (taken at the same time as theory) are the same for both.

the difference is in the instructor you choose to use, and the test itself.  i can't recall if you need to tell them when booking your test if it's an automatic test.  

if you have an automatic licence, you are only licensed to drive automatic cars.

How many lesson hours would you classify as average for Americans who are used to driving often back home?

I was checking out a local driving school's website and they said 65 hours was about average, which would cost well over £1,000 and sounds outrageously excessive to me. Am I just being stingy, or is this indeed the norm?

i can't recall if you need to tell them when booking your test if it's an automatic test.  

I had to but I don't know that the scope is if you change your mind last minute. Of course if you are taking the test with your instructor's car then you are a wee bit limited to change last minute.

How many lesson hours would you classify as average for Americans who are used to driving often back home?

This will vary greatly depending how much driving experience you already have and where you currently live and how you do out on the roads. I signed up for a block of 10 lessons and that was more than enough for some behind the wheel UK driving experience. That was about £200.

Lucky you!! I'm in a panic now!!!

perhaps, it is taking longer because you live so far up north.  speedy delivery thoughts to you.

Thanks Olive

I was checking out a local driving school's website and they said 65 hours was about average, which would cost well over £1,000 and sounds outrageously excessive to me. Am I just being stingy, or is this indeed the norm?

In all honesty some people take the test with very few lessons.  It ultimately boils down to practice (can you practice at home?) and confidence.  Are you planning to take your test in an Automatic or a Manual?  Just a tip - even if you're planning on owning / driving an automatic it may prove beneficial to you in the future to hold a full licence and take your test in a manual.   

Good luck!

I agree with Criostin- I have had 4 lessons (total of 8 hours) and I've paid only £132 and my driving instructor says I need maybe 2-3 more lessons (4-6 hours and another £100), basically nothing more.  Because she knows I know how to drive, its just beating into me the test standards so that I can pass the test and then go back to being a normal driver. 

I took the automatic-only test, after about 12-15 hours of lessons in an automatic car (through BSM).  I spent the time basically un-learning a bunch of habits I'd developed over the past 12 years of driving, learning the maneuvers, and becoming really familiar with the roads and neighborhoods in this area (which definitely helped me on the actual test).  DH grew up here and is amazed that I know some areas better than he does!

I sent off for my provisional on June 10th, got it back a couple of weeks later, spent the summer taking an hour lesson per week, and took the practical on October 10th.  Passed first time with four minors.   As I told my instructor, I could drive a stick if I needed to get someone to the hospital, but that's about it - I learned on my dad's old pickup and once I bought a car of my own in early 1998 I never touched that truck (or a manual transmission) again.   This way I'm licensed to drive our car (which is an automatic) plus rental cars (which you can always get in automatic) or any other automatics, and I can take lessons for the full test at my own leisure.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

I took about 35 hours of lessons in total (£14/hr).  I started my lessons on a manual (which I'd never driven before) because I wanted to know how to drive one, but I tested in an automatic because I'm much more comfortable with those.  Like Meg, if there was an absolute emergency, I could drive a stick, but I don't see any need for a "full" license as automatics are readily available and are my preference anyway.

I really find that a bizzare rule.  I wonder why the law is the way it is?  I wonder if its related to stalling the car or distraction if you don't know how to drive a manual, etc.
Anyone know? 

That's basically it, not being in full control of the car is very dangerous and a manual transmission is difficult to use unless you know how.