getting a provisional drivers license

Ahhh.... I was wondering that.  Thanks!

Any information on how long it takes once you get the provisional?  I'm sure it depends on how long I need to study!!!!

Any information on how long it takes once you get the provisional?  I'm sure it depends on how long I need to study!!!!

Their website says they'll get the provisional license to you in three weeks.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514

You are allowed to take the Theory and Hazard Perception tests as soon as your provisional licence is granted, so it's just a case of you deciding when you are ready to take it.

In order to book the practical test, you have to pass the Theory and Hazard Perception tests first. The theory test result is valid for 2 years... so you have to take the practical within 2 years of passing the theory. Depending on which test centre you book your practical test, there may be a waiting list... my test centre had a 2-month wait for booking tests, but that was about 8 years ago!

It is difficult to know how long it will take to pass the practical test - some people pass it first time around, others take a few attempts to pass (it is not an easy test to pass as you can easily fail for stupid little things). Same with lessons - some US drivers pass easily with no lessons at all and other take several weeks of lessons before they book their test (I would say that it is wise to have at least a couple of lessons in order to learn the specific requirements of the UK driving test... they can be very fussy on how you do things - like where you put your hands on the steering wheel, or how many inches from the curb you should be when reversing around a corner etc.).

As a UK citizen learning to drive for the first time at age 17 (and a very nervous driver who wasn't in a hurry to pass the tests), my timeline was the following:

early May 2000: applied for provisional licence
late May 2000: 17th birthday - finally allowed to learn to drive
June-Dec 2000: weekly driving lessons (either 1 hour or 2 hours each week)
Dec 2000: took and passed theory test (hazard perception test had not been introduced yet)
Jan 2001: booked practical test. First date available was early April 2001.
Jan-April 2001: weekly 2-hour driving lessons
April 2001: took and failed practical test. Rebooked test for early June 2001
April-June 2001: weekly lessons
June 2001: took and failed second practical test. Rebooked test for early August 2001
June-August 2001: weekly lessons
August 2001: practical test was cancelled due to examiner off sick. Rebooked for the next week
10th August 2001: took third practical test...and finally passed  - got full licence a couple of weeks later

However, my brother's timeline was:

Sept 2007: applied for provisional licence
early October 2007: 17th birthday - first lessons
October-Feb 2008: weekly and some twice-weekly lessons, took and passed theory/hazard tests (not sure of exact date)
Feb 2008: passed practical test first time around!

Because you don't know how long it will take you to pass the tests and get the full licence, it's best to allow as much time as possible to get them before your 12-month period for driving on your US licence runs out... if you haven't got your UK licence by the end of the 12 months, you are treated as a learner driver and will only be allowed to drive accompanied by someone over 21 who has held a UK licence for at least 3 years!

You don't give up your US license at all, because you have to start here from the beginning and pass the test

And DVLA has no authority to retain a U.S. license (even if some employees there might claim otherwise).

Any information on how long it takes once you get the provisional?  I'm sure it depends on how long I need to study!!!!

Plus how long it takes to get an appointment for the theory/hazard and practical tests.   In some areas you can be looking at a wait of two months or more.

Edit to add:   
Cross-posted with above.  But the two-month or more waits are still common in busy areas I understand.

This is great information.  Do you still use the learner sticker once you've passed the theory test?  I'm assuming you do until you pass the practical test. 

Do you still use the learner sticker once you've passed the theory test? 

Yes, the red "L" plates have been around since long before the separate theory test was introduced a few years ago, and learners are required to display them until they pass the practical test.

If you're still driving within the 12-month validity period of your U.S. license though, then you don't need them.  Once you've been resident for 12 months, if you haven't passed all parts of the U.K. driving test by that time then officially you revert to the status of any British learner, i.e. must display the plates, must be accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 who has held a license for at least 3 years, not allowed on motorways, etc.

Ok so I know it was stated that we did not have to have the photograph signed, however the guidance notes on the license application say "If the ID you're enclosing isn't a UK/EC/EEA passport you will need to have your photograph signed and Box A completed."

Should I just ignore this and send off the unsigned photo anyway?

Ok so I know it was stated that we did not have to have the photograph signed, however the guidance notes on the license application say "If the ID you're enclosing isn't a UK/EC/EEA passport you will need to have your photograph signed and Box A completed."

Should I just ignore this and send off the unsigned photo anyway?

Yes.  I e-mailed the DVLA about this, and they confirmed that the information in the guidance notes is incorrect.  I sent unsigned photos with my US passport and there was no problem.

Ok, I apologize in advance because I feel that I should be able to figure this out on my own, yet am failing miserably!

If I go to the UK on a Tier 1 visa (not a perm resident obviously!) can I apply for a provisional license? Could I drive temporarily with an international driver's license? 

You can drive for up to 12 months on a US licence, but if you are going to be in the UK for longer than a year, then you are required to get a UK licence if you want to drive as it will be illegal for you to use your US licence after 1 year has passed. It doesn't matter whether you are a permanent resident or not - I think it's more to do with the length of time you will be in the UK.

The visa categories are a little out of my line, but the driver license rules say that to apply for a provisional U.K. license you must be resident here, not a permanent resident, so I would think that any visa which grants temporary residence is sufficient.

Could I drive temporarily with an international driver's license? 

You don't need an International Driving Permit.  Your state-issued American license is good for 12 months, either as a resident or a tourist.   

You can drive for up to 12 months on a US licence, but if you are going to be in the UK for longer than a year, then you are required to get a UK licence if you want to drive as it will be illegal for you to use your US licence after 1 year has passed. It doesn't matter whether you are a permanent resident or not - I think it's more to do with the length of time you will be in the UK.

Thank you for clarifying!! I really appreciate the info! 

If I go to the UK on a Tier 1 visa (not a perm resident obviously!) can I apply for a provisional license? Could I drive temporarily with an international driver's license? 

Yeap, no problems with getting a provisional license 

Very few of us are permanent residents when we move here.  Even those on spousal visas have a time limit for their first visas. 

The visa categories are a little out of my line, but the driver license rules say that to apply for a provisional U.K. license you must be resident here, not a permanent resident, so I would think that any visa which grants temporary residence is sufficient.

You don't need an International Driving Permit.  Your state-issued American license is good for 12 months, either as a resident or a tourist.   

Thanks for that, Paul!

Got my provisional license - yay!  I have my theory/hazard test on the 1st of April.  Hopefully I'll do alright!!

Wish me luck!!