I know its late in the post, but as I have *just* done all this I thought I would offer what I did.
Yes you have to get a provisional.
Get the photos taken, fill in the form, and send off the passport to swansea. (took about a week and a half).
As soon as you have said provisional, book your theory test online if you want and pay online.
You must study. This is not, I repeat not your bog standard american license test.
I bought the book off ebay dsa version with the highway code. NB the book is about an inch thick.
Take the theory and hazard perception test and pass, they give you the certificate that day stating your pass number.... go online and search for driving instructors, and book in the practical test with the new pass certificate number. NB you do have to specify manual or automatic. Also good to know, once you pass, provided you dont get fined and points, thats it till your about 70 yrs. No renew every 4 like the states.
I personally chose an all lady driving instructor place. She was fab, and if you block book 10 lessons, its £170. I took 11. I also took the manual test, as I learned in a manual and wanted it over and done with. Yes more time and money, yes more to mess up, but definitely yes I am glad I did it. ( even though we dont own any manual cars.)
You would think that after having had my full american license nearly 10 years, and having driven over here 3 years, that I would not need so many lessons..... you would be wrong in that assumption. lol There are a LOT of minor things which can quickly add up to the dreaded 3 minors = fail. £50 down the drain, time lost, and your back where you started from. If I were you, I would bite the bullet and just do the lessons. I wouldnt have passed, even in an automatic without them. There are just 10 years of bad habits to undo, and for the 45 minutes you are out testing... thats a heck of a lot of time to aquire said minors.
So anyhow youve booked in your test, and youll wait about 6 weeks on the early side to be tested. Then youll do your lessons, test and hopefully pass.
Start to finish this process took me around 2 ish months. But this was because I was really fed up, my american license was due to expire, we just bought a 4x4 which made insurance go up if I continued on an american license, I just wanted it over and done with after 3 years now, and I am due may 9th, so I really needed it done sooner rather than later.
all in all I spent probably £260 pounds, but it was money well spent as I dont need to do anymore now, apart from not get my license revoked. lol
