US License

I'm sure this has been covered before but just did a quick search and didn't find any info...

So I know you can drive in the UK on your US license for a certain amount of time (is it 6 months?). But does this get reset every time you enter the UK?
If not when does it begin? When you come over the very first time? The beginning of your first visa?!

I just ask as I'm applying for a job that requires a drivers license. Would I be ok saying that I have one? Obviously if I got the job and it turned into an issue later I'd go through all the hassle of getting a UK one, but we live in zone 2 and have absolutely no need for a car so I don't want to bother unless it's essential (and isn't usually relevant in my line of work!). Thanks

It's 1 year from the day you arrive, and it doesn't get reset. I am pretty sure that it is just whenever you land with a visa.

I'm not entirely sure about the details. For instance, I arrived on a spousal visa in 2006, but was here on a student visa in 2003. I'm not sure if the clock reset while I was home in the US for 3 years or not, but I went ahead and got a provisional when I arrived in 2006 anyway, so it wasn't something I really looked into.

Does the ad just say 'license?' Most jobs that I see that ask for license specifically say 'full UK license.' Not sure how I would answer that one.

You shouldn't even think twice about applying for that job.  They may require a full license just because their insurance requires it or something silly like that.  Like you said, you live in zone two so would take public transport anyway.  For all intents and purposes, you are on a full driving license until one year after you arrive on your visa with an intent to settle.  You're supposed to apply for your provisional and get your full UK license before the year is up to retain your right to drive, but if you have no need you don't have to.

I'm in zone 6, and I cycle or walk to work everyday, but I still got my UK license and felt really good about it.  It wasn't easy though, and wasn't cheap either 

Good luck!

also keep in mind that the process to get a license is trickier here, so don't put it off.  I went straight through mine and it still took about seven months to get my license because of waiting times for appointments for the various examinations.

It's 1 year from the day you arrive, and it doesn't get reset.

Just to qualify that, it's 1 year from the day you arrive to take up residence.  For example, if you came here for the whole of May as a visitor, then went home and re-entered the country to become resident in July, your 12-month grace period would start from July.

hmm I guess my issue is that I was in the UK as resident for 2 1/2 years on a marriage visa. But we since split up, my visa expired so I returned to the states for a couple of months and am now returning on a Tier 1. So I'm not sure if it's continuous residence or if that even matters.

It's a tricky one but since I obviously have no clue, I doubt the employer would either. Maybe I'll just go for it and worry when and if I get the job!

At the time you left the Uk you had no guarantee you would return, and in immigration terms your residency was broken.  That might be relevant...


Vicky

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996:

74.—(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 which he is authorised to drive by that permit.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1996/Uksi_19962824_en_8.htm#(T)74personwhobecomeresidentgreatbritain

I'm no lawyer, but I would take that to mean that if you have been resident, then abandon that residency, then take up residency here once more, you get 12 months from the start of that second period of residency, since you have "become resident" again.

I would agree (though that is a non-professional opinion and carries no legal weight).

Vicky

Thanks all! I'm sure this won't be a huge issue, just wanted other peoples opinions. It's my understanding that the job just may require some driving on the off chance, it's not essential to the position itself. So will go ahead and apply and save myself the frustration of trying to figure it out for now!

After sorting out all my immigration issues over the past few years, I'm sure it won't be too hard to sort it all out!

So will go ahead and apply and save myself the frustration of trying to figure it out for now!

That's what I'd do.     

The only issue the company might have is with commercial insurance for their vehicles, as they might have cover which requires everyone driving under the policy to hold a U.K. license.  But I really wouldn't worry about that.  You have a license which is legally recognized in the U.K. (for 12 months), so you have a valid license.  Let them worry about a U.K. versus a state-issued U.S. license if and when the need arises. 

Go for it!