Driving lessons necessary?

I have been driving for 20 plus years, all of which was in a manual vehicle. US driving test at 16 years of age was taken in a manual vehicle.

I have been driving in Scotland since May 08 without issue.

Called up to schedule an intro driving lesson and stated the above. The instructor wasn't sure why I needed lessons.

I am quite comfortable behind the wheel here.

What are your thoughts? Do I take a few lessons or go take the test without?

I do have the Highway Code book and Driving Test Success PC software as support to my transition to UK driving.

Not necessary, no, but they wouldn't hurt. I'd been driving in the US for 25 years and in the UK for close to a year before I took my test, but I'm not sure I'd have passed without a few lessons. It's really a personal decision. For me, it was a question of knowing what to expect regarding maneuvers and the test route.

Edited because I forgot how old I actually am!

I think a lesson or two focused specifically on prepping you for the UK driving test would probably be useful, if not strictly necessary.

I do plan on taking a full course of lessons before I take my test, but that is mostly because I've never driven a manual car in my life and need to learn how since I don't want an automatic-only licence.

Ditto what Chary said. I'd driven in the US for 22 years and a year in the UK but still took a few lessons here before doing the test. The instructor will teach you what the examinors are looking for. There are a few differences between driving here and in the US (e.g. not crossing your hands when turning the wheel, using the handbrake at stops, etc.). The test here is A LOT harder than the one we took all those years ago at 16.

It's definitely worth the money and time, in my mind.

Here's why you should take a few- the admins who give the tests are used to people who have little driving experience, so they expect that you actually follow the mirror signal manuver process and physical set out driving process for all the manuevers. They also expect that you don't follow the road so far ahead. When you're an experienced driver, you read the road way ahead, but when you're not, you're concentrating on what is near you.  (Why you see that many experienced drivers have little trouble with the hazard perception test!) So its always good to take a few lessons so that the driving instructor can beat bad habits out of you and make sure you physically follow the process.  They're not teaching you to drive, they're teaching you how to pass the test.  
I took 6 lessons- I could have probably taken less, but my mind had a serious mental block about the reverse around the corner. My mind said it was stupid to learn and I would overthink it every time and screw it up!  I passed the test the first time!

I have been driving for 20 plus years, all of which was in a manual vehicle. US driving test at 16 years of age was taken in a manual vehicle.

I have been driving in Scotland since May 08 without issue.

Called up to schedule an intro driving lesson and stated the above. The instructor wasn't sure why I needed lessons.

I am quite comfortable behind the wheel here.

What are your thoughts? Do I take a few lessons or go take the test without?

I do have the Highway Code book and Driving Test Success PC software as support to my transition to UK driving.

Man, I am jealous!  I am from exactly the same situation, always loved driving in US, and it is one of the hardest things for me to get used to here.  I miss feeling really confident while driving, but over here, it's just different... the roads are crowded with parked cars, and just getting through the village is such a pain!  I know I will need some driving lessons to get me used to it, and I soooo wish I was like you and was able to make an easy transition.     I don't miss rush hour traffic, but I miss weaving in and out of it, and feeling like Speed Racer.... *sigh* those were the days!  I love living here, and I can't wait until I am used to driving here so I can feel free on the open road again!

  I miss feeling really confident while driving, but over here, it's just different... the roads are crowded with parked cars, and just getting through the village is such a pain! 

Dont worry... a bit of experience under your belt and you'll be back to your old self.
I still drive like I'm in California... steering with one hand, music blasting, window down with elbow resting on the ledge, and a cold drink wedged between my legs! 

I have to admit that the thought of driving in the UK scares me to death! I never even drove anywhere in Europe during all the visits there (not even a rental car). I wasn't planning to have a car for a while. Am I crazy to think I can get by without any access to a car? I am planning on being in London/suburbs when I get there.

Can I just have a friend teach me initially (to get used to the other side of the road and such)?  Or is this something I'm required to have lessons for? I can drive a manual, sort of, so that's not as big of an issue except for the whole using my left hand to switch gears.

In the London region and its suburbs and outer London, I'd say in my opinion the answer is a little bit of both...you don't need a car to get around, you CAN get by, but a lot of things about daily life is more convenient if you do have one.

There are plenty of buses, tube stations and railway to get you to most places you'd want to go, certainly within the heart of London ( and you actively don't want to actually drive in central London if you can help it; traffic, congestion charge, etc).

But on the edges and just outside London which is where I live, I find that there is frequently a store, shopping centre or some other thing I'd like to go to but the public tranportation (still covered by London Transport) to that particular spot is either minimal or not conveniently close, especially if it's a heavy or bulky item I'm wanting to buy -- I recently walked about a mile back to the nearest tube with a 15 lb item I then lugged on the train with me. That wasn't fun, and for things like that, you need the comfort and convenience of a car even though technically the public transportation IS there.....

My verdict: even in greater London, a car is a nice thing to have for those awkward locations and awkward missions.

I plan on taking lessons even tho I have been driving about 20 years... I don't really like driving I do it when I have to etc. I was in a bad car accident a couple of years ago shortened the width of my car about a foot and a half and broke a couple ribs so I get a bit jumpy when I am driving. My DF said I didn't need to drive he was fine with it especially since he didn't wanna pay for lessons and I said "Cool, I guess you always get to be the designated driver then!"  His responce:  "I guess we could get you a few lessons, not long after you get here..."

heh I also read that your current licence is good for 12 months after you get here. So you could have a friend or someone show you the ropes then get lessons, or get lessons then have someone coach you while you practice.

Can I just have a friend teach me initially (to get used to the other side of the road and such)?  Or is this something I'm required to have lessons for?

Lessons aren't required at all. It's just that a lot of us think they're rather a good idea. But you have 12 months in which to get your UK license, so having a friend show you the ropes during that time would probably help if you don't feel comfortable on your own.

Lessons aren't required at all. It's just that a lot of us think they're rather a good idea. But you have 12 months in which to get your UK license, so having a friend show you the ropes during that time would probably help if you don't feel comfortable on your own.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't feel right just getting in a car by myself and going! LOL (you've seen the opening bit to The Holiday when Cameron Diaz first gets to England and is trying to drive?! LOL)

Now, another question- do I have to do anything special to use my GA license there or is it just good on its own for those 12 months?

Hey Beth,

You need to go the the AAA - one that issues International Driving Permits.  Bring 2 passport size photos (or they can take them), fill out a form and you get a little booklet thing that serves as your permit for 1 year.

$15 cost.  I went to one in Norcross, off Peachtree Parkway.

Now I can be hell on wheels in two countries 

Hey Beth,

You need to go the the AAA - one that issues International Driving Permits.  Bring 2 passport size photos (or they can take them), fill out a form and you get a little booklet thing that serves as your permit for 1 year.

$15 cost.  I went to one in Norcross, off Peachtree Parkway.

Now I can be hell on wheels in two countries 

Thanks!  I do like the thought of being hell on wheels on the other side of the road as well! LOL

To me it all depends on your confidence level and how comfortable you are in driving and taking the test.  I needed lessons if anything to relearn all the stuff I forgot to make a big deal out of.  Like: the reverse around the corner thing/reversing into a parking space (which I never had to do in the USA), also stuff like making sure that they see you checking all the needed mirrors, the fact that you don't cross your hands when turning the wheel but instead shuffle them around etc.

For those of you used to driving in Atlanta the UK is going to be no problem!  Figuring out a roundabout is nothing compared to whirling around Spaghetti junction or even figuring out which Peachtree to be on.  :-P 

I just took Automatic lessons because after 20 years of driving an automatic I wasn't in the mood to learn to drive stick again.  I just don't enjoy it. 

I failed the first test due to nerves and a jerk examiner.  Some do actually go out to fail you.  Plymouth had a really low pass rate any how.

I never got an International Drivers license and just used my GA one.  I never got stopped though so I can't tell you if having an international one would have been better.