Where do I get started to get a UK Drivers Licence?

Hi, So I have been here in the UK for about a year and a half now and think I would like to get a UK driving licence. Where do I start? Do i get a provisional licence? Do I just start taking those on-road drivers classes? Do I just go straight into taking the tests? Can I just switch my Virginia drivers licence to the UK (it expires next April)?
If anyone4 can let me know how to get started with this process that would be great. THanks!

You would need to start from scratch like anyone in the UK wanting a license since you've passed the 12 month mark you cannot drive on your US license.

Start here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/index.htm.

OK - so how many hours of lessons do I book? What do most people need in temrs of number of hours/courses?

OK - so how many hours of lessons do I book? What do most people need in temrs of number of hours/courses?

I'm just the local info girl...I chose not to get a UK license due to cost of having a 2nd car and all the expenses that go along with it...however here is a thread where you'll find the UKY'ers going through the process: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=52378.0. Though I did speak to the person who helped my husband learn when I had considered doing it and he said that he would take me out and then determine how much instruction I would need and go from there.

Everyone's different, hastinkv. A few people have managed to pass their test with no lessons, most of us have needed some, and a handful of people need A LOT of lessons. I think your best bet is to find an instructor, book a lesson and see how it goes from there.

As you've been here over 12 months, then legally you can no longer use your U.S. license, so the very first thing to do is apply for a U.K. provisional license (learner's permit). 

You can order the D1 application form pack here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514

In addition to applying for your provisional license, start studying the Highway Code; this is going to be essential in passing both your theory and your practical test, so it's never too soon to start learning as much as you can by rote.

You can go to it online:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Highway_Code


And / or buy a paperback copy (recommended because you can read-up anytime, study before going to sleep, TV commercial breaks, etc)
 



Once your provisional license has been sent to you, you can book your theory test online.

If you want to make things easier for yourself, get the theory test study guide for 2009 (or 2010 or whenever you plan to take the test). You don't actually need to learn the entire Highway Code ... though it's probably not a bad idea to at least take a look at it. But the test will not include the entire Highway Code. The study guide includes everything that might appear on the test for a particular year.

You are correct, chary, the test study guide was for me an essential and I really think it helped me pass my theory with flying colors.

Yes, you don't actually have to have learnt the entire Highway Code by any means. But it's a good idea to own it and to have at least given it a good going-through, and familiarize oneself with road markings, signage and rules of the road that can often be similar-yet-different to the US ones.