I am SOOOOO resentful. Even Canadians can swap out their licenses. For one wild moment I even considered going to Toronto, taking the written test, swapping my US license for a Canadian one then swapping again in the UK...but don't think that's possible now that I have a permanent visa in the UK.
Good luck on your driving test!! Where are you taking it?
Canada -- yes!! I was doubly indignant when I found out about that one -- my driving instructor even joined me in a sympathetic whinge about how the Canadians get to swap, why can't I?!
Grr.
I'm taking my test in one of the north London test centres we've been driving around -- it is one that's further out to the edge of London than where I'm living, thank God, as my immediate area is a nightmare! I requested not to take it in my own area -- talk about the proverbial narrow streets!
Mrs R, I do agree that we should take some steps to learn how to drive safely here; i was shocked at how "set back" I was as a driver on these streets, after driving well for years in the US. It really IS a different way of handling things, different set of physical conditions, some different rules of the road, signs, markings, and even a different ettiquette. I could not have gone without lessons, lots of them in fact, to get used to things here -- with that I totally agree.
At the same time....I think it may be safe to assume it's very different in European countries too, especially since they too must experience the "eek I'm on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of this car!" challenge, and yet they don't have to take a test. I'll bet money they face the same issues we do, and yet...so that part of it strikes me as unfair, and my instructor too. Driving in the EU countries on the continent, for UK drivers, must be as challenging, and vice versa, yet nobody is required to make sure they are safe by taking a test, while we are. It doesn't add up. Either make everyone from a different nation (EU or not) take a test, or not....perhaps enforce perhaps a mandatory course of
lessons when switching licences...... but why force a full, start-over re-test on only the US people? Can't help but feel that doesn't add up.
To Jewlz -- the DSA makes a mild recommendation that you take some lessons and get some "on the streets" driving hours in first, before taking the theory and hazzard perception test, as apparently the practical experience of driving actually helps sharpen the same skills that the hazzard perception test is challenging you on (which makes sense). Same with the dull theory stuff -- to learn them by rote from the book is one thing, but learning to see and use them while actually driving around helps really hammer them into your head.
I don't think there would be anything wrong with taking the theory/hazzard part before getting behind the wheel if you feel you are ready, but I kind of see how the DSA's recomendation to go through some lessons first makes sense, as it all starts to help with the mental stuff the theory/hazzard test tests...(lol)