Establishing your life in the UK

Shiza! DH gave me the key to our house as soon as we drove up.  He did have to show me how to lock and unlock the doors, since I had never had to lift the handle first before locking. 

I've had a key to Tim's house since I visited in October.  And he had to talk me through locking it over the phone when I was leaving to meet him someplace because his door is warped. 

That's probably an excellent idea even if it ends up that you don't need to specifically to open an account. When I first tried to open an account when I got here, one of the bank workers told me I needed a council tax bill so I had to wait for that. WHen I finally got it, another bank worker said I didn't need it. So ask ten different people, get ten different answers.

Yeah, and then there are those people who claim they didn't need any proof of residency to open accounts, so it sounds like it all depends on the person at the bank!

Yeah, and then there are those people who claim they didn't need any proof of residency to open accounts, so it sounds like it all depends on the person at the bank!

Actually, that might have been me who said it. I remember this even though it happened nearly four years ago, but when I first arrived and tried to open an account, the window clerk told me I'd need everything short of a blood sample as ID. And when I finally got my council tax bill after waiting for it nearly two months (they were having computer slowdowns, apparently) the guy who actually opened the account for me said I could have done it with just my passport and my US driver's license or a US bank statement!

So frustrating!

Actually, that might have been me who said it. I remember this even though it happened nearly four years ago, but when I first arrived and tried to open an account, the window clerk told me I'd need everything short of a blood sample as ID. And when I finally got my council tax bill after waiting for it nearly two months (they were having computer slowdowns, apparently) the guy who actually opened the account for me said I could have done it with just my passport and my US driver's license or a US bank statement!

So frustrating!

Which is surprising, since in the US you need proof of address to open an account, but usually your driver's license works for that here. 

Thanks everyone.  I have a key and 2 job interviews next week! 

I'll notify the council, get a mobile phone, go to the GP and the dentist, beg the bank  and then enjoy a nice pint (or 5). Those are my goals for my first week 

Yay!

Mirrajay, I'd recommend getting a provisional license asap even if you don't intend to drive, because it can be used as proof of address and for ID so you don't have to carry your passport everywhere.  When I opened my bank account, I was able to use it as proof of address so didn't need to show any bills or anything. 

Mirrajay, I'd recommend getting a provisional license asap even if you don't intend to drive, because it can be used as proof of address and for ID so you don't have to carry your passport everywhere.  When I opened my bank account, I was able to use it as proof of address so didn't need to show any bills or anything. 

Like as been said - iot seems to depend on who you get at the bank. We were told a driving licence would be ok, when we went with that they then wanted a utility bill - I blame myself for that one as it was so easy for me to put DW on it and legally obilged to do so, so i should have done so earlier

Mirrajay, I'd recommend getting a provisional license asap even if you don't intend to drive, because it can be used as proof of address and for ID so you don't have to carry your passport everywhere.  When I opened my bank account, I was able to use it as proof of address so didn't need to show any bills or anything. 

How do you get a provisional license?

Speaking of provisional licenses, is everyone aware that the year-long allowance to drive in the UK on a US license begins THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU ENTER?!

Yeah, ok, so it was news to me. I was getting car insurance quotes today and the salesman wanted to know exactly when I first entered the UK, and kindly informed me that I would have to obtain my full UK license by October 22nd.

OCTOBER 22ND.

Ugh.

What?!  No way.  The first time I entered the UK was over three years ago.  Has anyone else been told this??

How do you get a provisional license?

Thats a darn good question...   This should get us started:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690  Lets be provisional license buddies!

oh and ps.  HOLY CRAP look at my ticker thing down there... EEKKKK!

Speaking of provisional licenses, is everyone aware that the year-long allowance to drive in the UK on a US license begins THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU ENTER?!

Yeah, ok, so it was news to me. I was getting car insurance quotes today and the salesman wanted to know exactly when I first entered the UK, and kindly informed me that I would have to obtain my full UK license by October 22nd.

OCTOBER 22ND.

Ugh.

Did you tell him that you were just visiting the UK then? and have only settled recently? I think you need to call DVLA and ask them rather than trusting the advice of an insurance agent.

Speaking of provisional licenses, is everyone aware that the year-long allowance to drive in the UK on a US license begins THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU ENTER?!

Yeah, ok, so it was news to me. I was getting car insurance quotes today and the salesman wanted to know exactly when I first entered the UK, and kindly informed me that I would have to obtain my full UK license by October 22nd.

OCTOBER 22ND.

Ugh.

That's not true.  If you enter the UK as a visitor, leave, then re-enter as a spouse, your year starts over again.  Or at least that's what I remember reading in another thread, some time ago....

How do you get a provisional license?

There are several threads on the details of the process in Travel and Transport, but basically you can go online, fill out an application, pay (£50!!), print off the application, mail said app along with a picture and your passport to the DVLA.  They will mail your passport back within a few days and your license a day or two after that.  It's pretty quick and easy.  

I am more than happy to call anyone I need to if it means I get a different answer. I DO NOT want to have to take driving lessons and deal with all of that in the next two months.

I did tell him I was only a visitor then, had only settled a few days ago, and this would be my first time driving, but he said that it didn't matter and that my insurance would go up if I didn't obtain a full license by October. So clearly they have financial motives; I need to call the DVLA.

He did say re-entry was the primary reason that the year doesn't re-set, that some people abused the system in the past and never bother getting a UK license because they could simply leave and have a fresh year to drive when they got back.

Speaking of provisional licenses, is everyone aware that the year-long allowance to drive in the UK on a US license begins THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU ENTER?!

Yeah, ok, so it was news to me. I was getting car insurance quotes today and the salesman wanted to know exactly when I first entered the UK, and kindly informed me that I would have to obtain my full UK license by October 22nd.

OCTOBER 22ND.

Ugh.

Strange for a car insurance guy to be saying that kind of stuff... hmmm...  They just want money!!

If that were true I would have had to of gotten a UK license in 2005 from the 5 days I spent here as a visitor on vacation- a full 3 years before I moved here in 2008  

From: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561

Residents
If you are the holder of an ordinary driving licence (car, moped, motorcycle entitlement) and provided your licence remains valid, you can drive any category of small vehicle shown on your licence for up to 12 months from the time you became resident. To ensure continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have been obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12-month period elapses. If you obtain a provisional licence during this period, you are not subject to provisional licence conditions eg displaying 'L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or being precluded from motorways.

Empahsis mine, and so yes ,I think you're in the clear 
Call a new car insurance company!!

Strange for a car insurance guy to be saying that kind of stuff... hmmm...  They just want money!!

If that were true I would have had to of gotten a UK license in 2005 from the 5 days I spent here as a visitor on vacation- a full 3 years before I moved here in 2008  

From: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561


Empahsis mine, and so yes ,I think you're in the clear 
Call a new car insurance company!!

I think the confusion arises because some people believe that even though they've settled in the UK, their one-year grace period restarts every time they come back from a holiday to the US. That's clearly not the case. Even my misinformed driving instructor thought it was true, but it's not something many people know much about. I think your insurance guy was just mistaken, rather than greedy. Obviously coming over for holidays does not count toward your one year. Hell, I was born here so I must have been way overdue getting mine!