Driving in the UK

I know that I can drive with a current USA drivers license for up to a year in the UK but I would like to try and get a British license as soon as I can. I don't want to rely on hubby to drive me around especially because most of the stores close earlier in England and it wouldn't do me much good by the time he got off work.

I've been driving for 17 years now but I may have picked up some bad habits along the way! haha  so it's best I learn what the different highway signs mean and what the laws are instead of driving around with a US license for 1 year just because I can.

How soon after moving to the UK did most of you take your practical and theory test?
Was it difficult or simple?
Did you pass the first time?
Did you hire a driving instructor first or did your hubby/wife teach you?

Oh! and do I need to have my own car for the practical or do they have one for you?

I've been driving for 17 years now but I may have picked up some bad habits along the way! haha  so it's best I learn what the different highway signs mean and what the laws are instead of driving around with a US license for 1 year just because I can.

You will certainly have picked up habits that are totally different from what is required in the UK.   The driving differences here are much more in-depth than just driving on the other side of the road.  You'll want good instruction to get you past the changes. I drove for a while without instruction before my test and was okay, but I took time to understand most of the signs and road basics first. (I still felt like a nervous 15 year-old learning all over again for a while though.)

As for learning the signs and laws, I recommend buying a computer program that will take you through what you need to know for the theory test.  Mine had the theory test questions in a good learning format with practice tests and study sessions, the Highway Code, a roadsign database, hazard perception tests, etc. I got my program for cheap on Amazon and it made my test much easier as well as learning the funny little laws that DH really didn't know to explain.

How soon after moving to the UK did most of you take your practical and theory test?

I took mine just past the year-mark because of a string of personal circumstances. How long it takes depends on where you live and what time of year you apply.  I'll give you the same advice I was given.  Start as soon as you can, because it takes longer than you think and you don't want to get stuck.  Each individual step took a while.

Was it difficult or simple?

theory--pretty simple after lots of studying, but I still stressed.  Practical, I'll be honest, was stinking hard.  I couldn't have done it without my instructor and I have nearly 20 years driving experience.

Did you pass the first time?

I did, many don't.  I was so very relieved! My sister-in-law took the test 8 times. Of course, her stressing out and yelling at the instructor to shut up may have had something to do with at least one of her fails.

Did you hire a driving instructor first or did your hubby/wife teach you?

It's a personal choice, you don't have to have an instructor, but personally I think you would be foolish not to get one.  They can take you through lots of specifics that make things much more clear-cut and easily repeatable--even under great stress like the test is.  Ask around.  I quizzed people at my office and was glad.  There are a ton of instructors out there, but was able to find one with a really high pass-rate that was honest with me and my money because I got the opinion of multiple people first.

Oh! and do I need to have my own car for the practical or do they have one for you?

you can do your own car, but if you do, you will have to take extra measures like getting an extra rear-view mirror for the examiner and making sure you have L-plates.  Most people take the test in their instructor's car, which is ever so much simpler.  It's really more of the norm.

How soon after moving to the UK did most of you take your practical and theory test?
Was it difficult or simple?
Did you pass the first time?
Did you hire a driving instructor first or did your hubby/wife teach you?

Oh! and do I need to have my own car for the practical or do they have one for you?

1.  10 years!
2.  it wasn't difficult, but it was a bit stressful
3.  nope... passed 2nd time
4.  driving instructor, as hubby does not drive.
5.  you use your own car or the instructors  car.

Thanks Genau and Cadenza for the response. Yeah I will use the instructors car aswell. Save me the hassle of putting on L plates and extra rear view mirror.  I hope I can learn fairly quickly because I hear the lessons are per hour and expensive??!!

I think I'm going to be stressed for the next 2 years!! LOL  trying to study for the drivers license and also for the Life in the UK test for the ILR.

1.  Just after the 1 year mark (ooops!)
2.  I thought it was pretty difficult!
3.  But, in spite of that, I passed the first time! Yippee!
4.  I took about 10 lessons from an instructor. I think I learnt long ago that driving lessons from a loved one (be it a parent or a partner) are not a good idea for me!
5.  I used the instructor's car but, depending on the instructor, you'll probably have a choice

As long as you do all this within your first year, you won't need to use L plates on the car. If your US license is valid, then you're A-OK! 

Best of luck to you - it's not fun, but it is necessary.

1.  Just after the 1 year mark (ooops!)
2.  I thought it was pretty difficult!
3.  But, in spite of that, I passed the first time! Yippee!
4.  I took about 10 lessons from an instructor. I think I learnt long ago that driving lessons from a loved one (be it a parent or a partner) are not a good idea for me!
5.  I used the instructor's car but, depending on the instructor, you'll probably have a choice

As long as you do all this within your first year, you won't need to use L plates on the car. If your US license is valid, then you're A-OK! 

Best of luck to you - it's not fun, but it is necessary.

Thanks! I'm not really nervous about the round abouts or anything as we do have one in Long Beach believe it or not. It's more to do with driving on the left side whilst sitting on the right side. Never did it before. Trying to Parallel park that way is gonna kill me I just know it!

Thanks! I'm not really nervous about the round abouts or anything as we do have one in Long Beach believe it or not. It's more to do with driving on the left side whilst sitting on the right side. Never did it before. Trying to Parallel park that way is gonna kill me I just know it!

We had a few roundabouts (erm ... rotaries) in Rhode Island, too! Maybe they're catching on in the US!

We had a few roundabouts (erm ... rotaries) in Rhode Island, too! Maybe they're catching on in the US!

you know roundabouts are a great idea! I hate when I am stopped at a red light at the intersection and say there is NO traffic coming, and you still have to sit there and wait! So they would come in handy then. However during rush hour it seems you just sit there and wait and wait.... never getting your turn because the cars keep coming round. UGH! That's when you wish there were actual traffic lights, so that way you get your turn.

I agree completely! I'm a big fan of roundabouts and I'm actually not sure why they haven't really caught on in the US.

When you look for a driving instructor they have a award system so you can spot a good one..the higher the award points they have means that they have a stronger test / pass ratio.

Also be warned about instructors that seem cheap but have a little triangle sticker in their window above their tax discs...(usually BSM Instructors)  This sticker means that the instructor is a trainee but hasn't taken anyone to a test yet!!  Investigate who you get because there are a few rogue instructors out there..ask to see their pass history.

I picked my instructor because he helped a woman of 80 years pass her test first time after 15 lessons..it made the newspapers..because her local bus to where she lives stopped running and she was stranded in the country and decided to pass her test even tho she had never driven before in her life!...I thought if he can help her..he can certainly help me! 

The computer CD rom you need to get helps you understand the rules of the road here and help you study towards your theory test and hazard perception test.  Its costs about £10 for the CD rom and £2.50 for the Highway Code Book. - This is the best CD Rom...this is by the DVLA. You can get it in woolworths or WH Smiths.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Driving-Tests-2007-2008-Edition_W0QQitemZ120266574371QQihZ002QQcategoryZ80013QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I want to take my application into the Wimbledon DVLA Branch.  Do I need an appointment to do that or can I just show up and join the queue? 

I want to take my application into the Wimbledon DVLA Branch.  Do I need an appointment to do that or can I just show up and join the queue? 

Just show up and join the queue. When I went, I showed up 30 minutes before it opened (I think it opens at 9), and was one of the first people in the queue. The queue grew significantly before they opened their doors. As I was at the front, I was in and out by 9:10.

Make sure to purchase a special delivery envelope from the post office before you go (the silver ones, they are approx £5). You can give it to them to send in with your application so that your passport gets returned in it, or else they will just send it back in the regular post.

I want to take my application into the Wimbledon DVLA Branch.  Do I need an appointment to do that or can I just show up and join the queue? 

Application for what?  A new learners driving licence, or a theory test or practical test ?

I have always posted forms for obtaining or amending my licence via the Post office ( they have all the DVLA forms available in there ) then sent via special delivery.  As for booking tests etc..I used to book them online on the DSA website. (Driving Standards Agency)

I applied for my provisional UK license 6 months after I moved over.

I didn't start taking lessons until a year after I moved over. My husband doesn't drive so I had nearly a year off driving - I wish I'd started straight away to be honest.

I took the theory test in Sept 2007, it was pretty easy. I had my first practical test in November 2007 (didn't pass) and then took another one in April 2008 (didn't pass either). I'm not good on tests and I didn't pass mainly due to nerves. I'm still practicing though.

 I think I'd advise anyone who is new to driving in the UK to take lessons...it's totally different driving and I would have been so freaked out if I tried it on my own for the first time.

Also, although you are technically allowed to drive for 12 months on your US license, it's either impossible or VERY expensive to get insured as an American. I'm paying £51 a month on the inlaws insurance as a provisional driver (my US record of 8 years means nothing here!)

Roundabouts seem to be catching on in parts of the U.S. quite rapidly. 

This site has some interesting reading on modern U.S. roundabouts versus the older-style traffic circles, a little history of U.K. roundabouts, etc.

http://www.alaskaroundabouts.com/