UK Drivers License

I have to get a UK license as I understand that my US one is only good for a year and I am almost at a year now. I think you have to turn in your US one in order to get a UK one but I am not really sure on this. I am going to take a few driving lessons just so I know what to expect for the test but I also have to do the Theory test which is freakn me out a bit.

Has anybody done this yet and can tell me any hints and tips? 

You don't have to turn in your US licence. I do recommend having a few lessons so you know how to take the test. Some of the things they expect you to do, like the daft way they want you to turn the wheel, are quite different from in the US, and they like to take off points for little things.

A few lessons is a good idea, in the town that you'll have your driving test in. I had 2 or 3, which was enough, but they were _critical_ to learn things like where and when to check mirrors the UK way, backing around a corner, etc.

I got a CD that prepped me for the theory part. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Without it, I would have failed. With it, the test was an absolute breeze. Practice both the written questions and the video where you click when you see hazards.

As for your US drivers license, yes, you keep that.

Good luck!

And yes, the US license is good for one year.

One American I know doesn't have a UK license but considers her US license "reactivated" for a year here whenever she goes back to the US and comes through immigration here. I don't know if that's right or not, but she's comfortable with it. I was determined to get my UK license within the first year.

Again, get the study materials.

And do get a start on it. Lots of people don't pass their first time around, though granted most haven't been driving already for many years in another country.

Can you take lessons while still only having your US license, or do you need to get a UK permit first? 

One American I know doesn't have a UK license but considers her US license "reactivated" for a year here whenever she goes back to the US and comes through immigration here. I don't know if that's right or not, but she's comfortable with it. I was determined to get my UK license within the first year.

Definitley not right! The clock definitely doesn't stop.  Its 1 year from the date moved here, end of. (Oh well, that's her issue if she gets stopped and not yours!)

Yeap, take some driving lessons, that will get you most comfortable with the minor differences, even if you're comfortable driving around here already.  As for the theory test, I only read the theory book, no other books and didn't use a CD/DVD or anything.   Watched a video on the hazards perception, that was about it.  Can't say I did fantastic on the theory portion, but passed on the first go. On the hazards perception, I scored very high, as an experienced driver would.
Took a total of 6 driving lessons here, no one else to practice with on the left, no hubby or bf to practice with, so I was less comfortable on the left and liked the reassurance of an instructor. Passed the test on first go.
Good luck!  

Can you take lessons while still only having your US license, or do you need to get a UK permit first? 

I did, on my second or third lesson my instructor dropped me off to the DVLA to get my provisional license picture signed

One American I know doesn't have a UK license but considers her US license "reactivated" for a year here whenever she goes back to the US and comes through immigration here. I don't know if that's right or not, but she's comfortable with it.

That person is wrong, and if she gets caught she will be in trouble. My former flatmate thought the same thing and was told in no uncertain terms by the DVLA that she should not have been driving on her US licence after a year from when her visa started.

Can you take lessons while still only having your US license, or do you need to get a UK permit first?

You can take lessons on the US licence technically, but you have to have a provisional licence to take the tests, so you may as well get one beforehand. Some instructors may not give you lessons without the provisional as well.

Lessons on a US license -- that's fine. But as someone mentioned, to take the test you have to have your provisional license. So definitely go ahead and apply for that.

By the way, my instructor was used to telling people when he thought they were ready to take the test. I don't know how many more lessons he would have given me before deciding I was ready, but after 2 or 3 I knew I was ready and passed easily.

So -- go with your instinct, and take the test when you feel it's the right time. An instructor earns money with each lesson s/he gives you so has a vested interest in saying you're not quite ready.

(Oh well, that's her issue if she gets stopped and not yours!)

It's someone else's issue if she hits someone and it is then discovered that her insurance is invalid

Vicky

It's someone else's issue if she hits someone and it is then discovered that her insurance is invalid

Vicky

Yikes!  But wouldn't her insurance company know she was trying to continue to drive on her US license?  I'd think they'd have informed her she had to get a UK one...weird.

Also, does anyone know if the "25 to drive on someone else's insurance" applies to a US license?  Tim and I were trying to figure out if I could drive his car while I'm here, since he has it set up to allow other people to drive his car. 

One note: the process of getting provisional licence-taking theory-taking lessons-taking practical test, took me months.  Scheduling my theory and practical exams took forever and even when I had them scheduled, the examiner changed the dates on me right before I took the practical and I had to add several more weeks to the timeline.  In other words, if your year is ending soon, get going NOW!!

Yikes!  But wouldn't her insurance company know she was trying to continue to drive on her US license?  I'd think they'd have informed her she had to get a UK one...weird.
 

The onus is on her to inform the insurance company of her licence validity.  If they have informed her that she is within the first year of driving on a US licence, they will take her word for it. If she crashes and a claim is made, they will find out that she is in fact in the second or third year and therefore driving illegally, which invalidates her insurance.  If she told them the truth and they still insured her then yes, that is their problem, but if she is insisting that the clock goes back to zero each time she leaves and re-enters, then my guess is that this is what she has told the insurance companies.  She could be in big trouble.  This is the same as anyone else driving with no licence and no insurance, and if she is caught she is in deep.  Deep to the extent of criminal record and revokation of her visa.

Vicky

Wow -- that's amazing. Unfortunately it's a person I'm not in touch with any longer. I just hope she eventually got her license here. Her husband was a strong advocate for her getting a UK license, and I just hope she has!

Maybe this thread will keep someone else from making her erroneous assumption.

By the way, I also vaguely remember that scheduling took a long time. It's good advice to get started asap if your year is up soon.

This is the same as anyone else driving with no licence and no insurance, and if she is caught she is in deep.  Deep to the extent of criminal record and revokation of her visa.

Vicky

WOW!

So, here's a question about the "year"..does it start from when you become a resident, or does the clock start when you drive as a visitor?