The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

I'm finding the backing around a corner thing unexpectedly insurmountable. I used to be a GREAT backer-upper, but I have no feeling whatsoever for the location of my left rear tire in space.

Also, I seriously abused my instructor's gear box on that last lesson.

Well. I don't time out until the end of November.

My 'last chance' driving lesson was supposed to be last night, but the instructor had to cancel last minute.  It sounds as though his mother is quite poorly....and he's not able to do any lessons this weekend SO it appears that may be on my own for the test!  The DI thinks I'm ready, but I really wanted that lesson for peace of mind, if nothing else...  I was in a bit of a state over it last night, but DH took me out and we'll go out again this weekend for a bit of practise.  

If the instructor can't meet me on Tuesday (test day), I suppose I may end up going by myself.  I'm thinking that IF I should fail, I'll have to turn around and drive myself home.  But I haven't passed the year mark yet on my US license, so technically this should be fine.  But awkward nonetheless.    I guess this is ok to be unaccompanied??  
DH may be able to meet me, but this may make me even more nervous.  
Ugh...I really cannot wait to get this over with!!

If you are alone, fail, and have to drive yourself home, this will be perfectly legal as you are still within the one year grace period of your US licence, yes.

If anyone at the test centre stops you with a "Hey wait a minute!" you can explain that you are still legal under your existing US licence.

I was still driving around alone after failing my UK test and while still not here one year. The only time your provisional licence restrictions come into play are on the day you have been in the country driving on your US licence for one year. After that, you are treated as any UK learner on your provisional licence: must be accompanied by holder of a UK licence of three years standing who is over the age of 21, must have L plates, must not go on motorways.

However, I'm concerned about your having to possibly take your test in a different car? Have you been taking your lessons in your instructor's vehicle, or your own?

However, I'm concerned about your having to possibly take your test in a different car? Have you been taking your lessons in your instructor's vehicle, or your own?

Good point...Thankfully, I had planned to test in my own car.  I am much more comfortable in it than in the instructor's car.  I guess that's a really good thing at this moment!  What a pickle that would be if your DI couldn't make your test due to an emergency and you were going to use his/her car...

I've been doing ok with backing around the corner, but have suddenly developed a block with parallel parking!  I was planning on the DI sorting me out with that last night...

Just got my provisional licence in the post and am going to book my first driving lesson for the near future. 

Just got my provisional licence in the post and am going to book my first driving lesson for the near future. 

Congrats! Let the fun begin   

Good point...Thankfully, I had planned to test in my own car.  I am much more comfortable in it than in the instructor's car.  I guess that's a really good thing at this moment!  What a pickle that would be if your DI couldn't make your test due to an emergency and you were going to use his/her car...

I've been doing ok with backing around the corner, but have suddenly developed a block with parallel parking!  I was planning on the DI sorting me out with that last night...

Whew!! It would have been worrying if you had become used to the instructor's car for test purposes, then couldn't use it on the big day. Glad you are going to be in the car you are already familiar with.

In general everyday driving being able to jump in an alternative car and deal with it is one thing, but for the test I think it is better to test in the same car you have been intensively practicing your manouvers in, with it's unique "this mirror lines up with that angle of the pavement when reversing" stuff that can help.

So, I just booked my theory test for a little over a month from now (awesome!) but, after I booked it, it said "Your car test will take place...." Car test? I hope this means I haven't accidentally booked the practical test? I'm thinking it doesn't mean that, because I only paid £31 for a Saturday appointment, and it said I only needed to bring my licence and passport with me to the appointment (I guess if it were the practical test I would also need to bring confirmation I passed the theory exam?) Still, I feel a niggling worry I will show up and have to drive. Just wanted confirmation that I did this right. What do you think?

Ummmm...I think you're fine.  I think it means that you booked the theory test for a car, as opposed to a motorcycle, etc.
Also, the practical test would definitely be more than £31!

I think you're okay.  They mean the *car* theory as opposed to the motorcycle, lorry, or broom, I think.

Good luck!

oops x-posted with Rubygirl!

If you are alone, fail, and have to drive yourself home, this will be perfectly legal as you are still within the one year grace period of your US licence, yes.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, regulation 80:

(1) A person who becomes resident in Great Britain who is -

      (a) the holder of a relevant permit, and

      (b) not disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence in Great Britain

shall, during the period of one year after he becomes so resident, be treated for the purposes of section 87 of the Traffic Act as the holder of a licence authorising him to drive all classes of small vehicle, motor bicycle or moped which he is authorised to drive by that permit.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992864.htm

There are no other conditions attached, so it doesn't matter if you have a U.K. provisional or not, or whether you've failed a U.K. test or not, you're licensed to drive for 365 days after becoming resident.  Of course, on the 366th day, you suddenly become incompetent and incapable of driving a car without supervision!   

Also, I heard of an incident some time ago in which an examiner taking somebody for test still within the one-year grace period refused the test because the car had no L plates on display.  He was wrong.  The regulations clearly state that the requirement to display L plates does not apply to anyone driving on a foreign license under regulation 80.

Also, the practical test would definitely be more than £31!

Currently £62 for the practical test, or £75 evenings & weekends:

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/generalinfo/latestfees/drivingtestfees.htm

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, regulation 80:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992864.htm

There are no other conditions attached, so it doesn't matter if you have a U.K. provisional or not, or whether you've failed a U.K. test or not, you're licensed to drive for 365 days after becoming resident.  Of course, on the 366th day, you suddenly become incompetent and incapable of driving a car without supervision!  

LOL!!  
That's right. On my 366th day, I got in the car that morning and suddenly freaked out, asked a passer by "How do I get this thing moving??" Finally screeched into the wrong gear, couldn't get the hang of steering, thought the gas was the brake pedal, and killed five pedestrians -- oops, silly me!  

It's a magical curse incantation the DSA places upon you, Hogwarts style to make sure you are not a naughty person beyond your grace period.  

Also, I heard of an incident some time ago in which an examiner taking somebody for test still within the one-year grace period refused the test because the car had no L plates on display.  He was wrong.  The regulations clearly state that the requirement to display L plates does not apply to anyone driving on a foreign license under regulation 80.

Now this is interesting!  I'd love to take the test without those L plates.  When those things go on the car, it's like a switch flips in my head and I immediately lose a lot of my confidence!

Midnight Blue - are you planning on taking your test again??

 

So glancing over this how many tests are there?

Practical.

Theory

and the actual?

There are two:

The theory--rules of the road (which includes multiple choice and the hazard perception section)

and

The practical--driving ability

Thank goodness, because it's stressful enough with just two tests!

If you've driven in the states before driving here is a breeze.  Well it will suck if you don't know how to drive a manual.  I'd suggest an automatic, unless you can't afford petrol.  The written test is a breeze, because the test questions are the same ones you see on the study dvd.  If you fail the written test first time, you're an idiot.  Actual Driving test is not any harder, just longer.  My wife and I both passed first time (manual for me, auto for wifey).  I even passed my motorcycle test first time here, in torrential rain even.  So take a few lessons and you'll be fine.  I'd suggest driving here on your american license at least a few months though before you take lessons.