Can you take test in LHD vehicle?

Purely by accident, I came across the exact model of car I am looking to buy in a left hand drive!   Honestly, I dont know if this will help me feel more confident whilst driving or not, but just out of curiousity, does anyone know if you are allowed to take your test in a LHD vehicle?

wow - you scored ;-)

DH wonders if they will let me take the test in the car we have b/c of the size - which I dont think matters...

I cant wait to see if you can take this in a LHD - Oh I wil ask Anne my driving instructor friend tomorrow if you dont hear back from anyone

Ive been wondering the same exact thing. Im going to buy a car and DF said a LHD might be the way to go. I think it would probably help but I dont know if it is allowed.

wow - you scored ;-)

DH wonders if they will let me take the test in the car we have b/c of the size - which I dont think matters...

I cant wait to see if you can take this in a LHD - Oh I wil ask Anne my driving instructor friend tomorrow if you dont hear back from anyone

Yes please ask her if you can!

I've never driven a LHD car in the UK or a RHD car in the US or Europe, but in general I'd say it is a bad idea .. the driver's view of the road is very restricted, very hard to pass, etc.  In the UK, where many two-lane roads are quite narrow and twisty, how would you know how much clearance to give to a car travelling in the opposite direction (and, you could have a closing speed of 120 mph or more.)  Sounds dangerous to me...

I've never driven a LHD car in the UK or a RHD car in the US or Europe, ...

I have done both of these and although I wouldn't say it is super-dangerous, I found it really really difficult to do.  I certainly wouldn't try learning to drive in the UK in an LHD.  Learning in a RHD is hard enough!   

Personally I also think it would be harder to drive a LHD car here- part of the adjusting to the other side the street driving is helped by the fact that no matter where you drive you always sit near the middle of the road- it feels right and natural.

Here is info on requirements for car to take the test in:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022543

based on that I don't see a problem with LHD if all other bits are met....personally I wouldn't take the test without taking lessons- and then it would be easiest to take the test using your instructor's car anyway..

good luck on whatever path you choose

Thanks for the input everyone - my husband echos what you have said and has squashed my short lived idea of getting a LHD car.   I've got a lesson (first with this instructor) on Saturday and am holding on to a slight hope that it will be a million times better than my last lesson (which I had after being here for only three weeks).  *fingers crossed*

My first lesson was horrible.  I was so nervous, but I did settle down after I persisted.  Happily I had a very good instructor who helped me a lot.  I'm now the queen of parallel parking and the likes   I agree that it would be more difficult in LHD.  I've adjusted to the feel of being on the other side of the car.  If I were in the LH side, I think I'd unconsciously start driving on the wrong side of the road. 

It's awkward at first, you will feel like your perspective is all messed up and it's harder to gauge what space you have around the car, but with time, it adjusts and you'll be a pro.

Hi there,

The rules have probably changed, but it used to be that you could take your test in your own vehicle if you so chose to. I know a few friends of mine did that. I'd be surprised if they have actually made the change from that though.

so theoretically, yes you can take your test in a LHD vehicle here. As pointed out, it'd be X % harder as you'd have to get used to the differences with driving LHD in a RHD convention country/road system.

Overall, I'd say learn and pass your test in a RHD, get used to the road system becuase you 'actually learn to drive AFTER you pass your test!' - depending on how good you are and the resulting confidence, I'd say then look at the possibility of getting the car you want in LHD if you really want. As I've mentioned before, this 'usually' means getting or importing an 'interesting' USA car. Don't be too tempted to bring over a 'normal' bread and butter car from the US, the amount of import duty, tax and shipping etc would most likely make it subtantially more expensive than getting the RHD version of the same car here.

Contrary to popular belief and a response on this thread, driving LHD here in the UK isn't as 'dangerous' as initially it appears. The F150 I have has the advantage of being quite big and so I get an SUV type view and that cancels out 95% of the visibility issues that most people think would be the case. In a LHD sports car, that visibility will drop substantially, however, when you drive such cars, you drive '2+ or as far ahead' as possible, which in turn, reduces the percieved risk.

Good luck with your driving and test !

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I just wanted to say good luck.  I agree that it might actually be easier to learn in a RHD--all of the roads/rules are set up with that in mind, and I found that the total "break" with my old habits made learning new ones easier.  Although I still have a really hard time remembering to look over my left shoulder to reverse.

Good luck! Definitely check out the rest of the driving threads--we've all been there!

Either way I will ask Anne when she comes over tonight to unload boxes with me...

I drove last weekend and it was easier since its an automatic...
I hope to take my test in the car I am driving (4 door auto) I am doing 2 lessons with the friend just so I know what will be expected in 6 months or so once I am running on the roads...

I hear we dont have to take the theory test if we do it within 12 months just the practical?
Which kicks ass if its true

All this stuff I need to research unless mirrajay you have answers to that ;-)

I hear we dont have to take the theory test if we do it within 12 months just the practical?

You must take both tests...nice try though:

Can you drive in Great Britain (GB) if your driving licence was issued in another country?
-you can drive in Great Britain (GB) on your full, valid driving licence for up to 12 months from the time you first became resident
-you will need to stop driving once the 12 months are over
-you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence
-if you wish to continue driving in GB you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test

hmm must have had bad advice from more then one person...
blah it was a nice try ;-)
  19. Foreign Licence Holders

    If you hold a full driving licence issued outside the European Economic Area it may be possible to exchange it for an equivalent GB licence. There is a booklet (the D100) which you can get from most post offices, this booklet explains the exchange licence regulations. You can also contact the Driver Vehicle Agency ( 028 70341469) who will tell you if you can or cannot exchange your driving licence. If you cannot exchange your licence you will need to take and pass a theory test before you can book a practical driving test. Any particular enquiries about whether a theory test is required should be addressed to; Customer Services Section Driver & Vehicle Agency Balmoral Rd Boucher Rd Belfast BT12 6QL 0845 6014094

The United States isn't on the list for license exchange. Have a look at this website and you'll find a lot of answers on how to get a license: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/MotoringDecisionTrees/ExchangeaTestPassorForeignLicence/can_you_drive_in_gb.dsb.