Is it really worth it...?

Well at the moment I live in San Francisco, and I went through the whole long process to get my license, but I hardly ever drive since I live in a city where walking is generally easier and quicker than driving. So I'm moving to London in July, and the whole process of getting a UK driver's license sounds rather difficult. I'll be living in a suburb of London, but I'm wondering if the public transportation is available and reliable enough that I won't actually need a license?

Unless you will need to drive for your job, you will most likely be fine. There are lots of people who come here and manage great without driving...my husband for one! Although since I do drive he has a convenient chauffeur for when we do groceries etc.

I would say it is totally doable, especially in a suburb of London...but you may find driving is a little more convenient for things like shopping and day trips out further afield.

All trains go through London.    I would think you will be fine.

We live in the Cambridge area, so for us to go anywhere other than London we have to go to London first (mostly).  For instance we wanted to go to an event in Bedfordshire last year.  It took over 4 hours involving a bus to the train station, a train, the underground, another train and finally a taxi. 

This year, in our car, it took less than 45 minutes.

You'll be able to drive on your US liscence for the first 12 months so, assuming you have access to a car - and London has car-share programs, you can try getting around without a car and with one and make an informed decission.

For me, neither my DF nor I drive and we get by just fine. We have groceries delivered a little less often than once a week, order big things online, and if we buy more than we can comfortably carry, we take a taxi home. It's a lot less expensive than driving. I imagine life in London would be even easier.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about riding a subway because we don't really have them here and from the few places I have been, the subway system is either freakishly complicated or horribly difficult lol

It's the easiest system I've ever been on...you'll be fine on the tube.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about riding a subway because we don't really have them here and from the few places I have been, the subway system is either freakishly complicated or horribly difficult lol

I thought you said you're from SF? It's just like BART with more lines.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about riding a subway because we don't really have them here and from the few places I have been, the subway system is either freakishly complicated or horribly difficult lol

The tube is really easy, like seriously simple. You only ever have to know what direction you should be travelling in (East or West. South or North) everything else pretty much takes care of itself.

You wont need a car, get groceries delivered, and get an oyster card, get the odd bus. Job done
There's only been a handful of times I wished I had a car and it was always random stuff like needing a giant kitchen bin or having some stuff I wanted to take to the tip. I've always found a way around it so far

You might want a bicycle though! Especially if you're commuting in from a suburb

I find the tube to be much easier than the DC metro!

I agree. It is really easy, but of course that is because it has no relation to where the stations actually are. 

I would recommend just getting your license for the sake of having an identity card.

I would recommend just getting your license for the sake of having an identity card.

Ahh, but a provisional would do that as well - she wouldn't need to go all the way through the full driving license.

I don't think I would enjoy driving in London at all- so I guess it depends on how much you're getting in and around outside of London and of course, your personal circumstances.
For example, noriem and I live in the same place and she gets along just fine without a car. I, on the otherhand, would never be able to get along without one.  I went absolutely insane when I had an accident with my honda, and I was left without a car for 2+ months.  I had lots and lots of difficulties! So it all depends.

So I'd say see how much you think you'll need to go through the lessons ,etc- just to get your license.  May be worth it just to know you'd be able to rent a car, but not actully own one.  Or whatever works for you! 

If you're getting by hardly ever driving in a city in the US, I think you'll find it even easier in the UK. Most everyday shops you need will probably be in walking distance, plus I agree with what others said about the tube in London being the simplest subway system I've ever travelled on, and I've travelled in the US, UK, Germany, and France. Plus there are lots of buses.

Your American license will be valid for 12 months after arriving, so if you do want to practice driving to see what it'll be like you'll be able to on that. Also getting a provisional (learner's permit) UK license is very simple. Takes about 3 weeks and around £50. It's useful having UK id to carry around that's not as valuable as a passport, plus it's good for 10 years. Since you mentioned in another post that your mum has been living in the UK, if she's been fully licensed for more than 3 years then even after a year when your US license expires, you'll be able to practice on your provisional as long as she's in the car with you. Otherwise you could book lessons.

We live in a small town and got by for ages without a car. We finally got one because DH's parents live in the country (only about 4 miles away...) where public transportation is very sparse. We also use it for meeting friends at pubs or restaurants that are more than a mile away from where we live, or for fun country drives sometimes. But in general we get our groceries delivered, can walk to work and the shops, can take the train or bus to farther away places, and only use the car for meeting friends or family who don't live in towns or cities.

Hi Vivienne,

Following from your other post about studying in the medical field..

The UK's public transport system is the butt of many jokes but it is quite extensive just as it is expensive! The London underground is relatively easy to get used to as mentioned already, just be prepared for the hell hole it is during the UK's shall we say 'warmer' months!!

I suspect you'll need to visit other cities and towns to evaluate things like certain medical universities etc and you should find pretty good transport links in that respect. Driving is of course the most convenient, and your USA license is good for a year after you arrive - after that, if you don't want or take the UK test, you could still 'rent' cars as you need them on your US license. Public transport as I say, can be expensive between cities, especially by rail, so always worthwhile looking at the booking in advance websites and the discounted fares websites to reduce costs. If you have more time, then look at the discount coaches solutions.

I know SF is 'expensive' - have 2 cousins on their 2nd year out of med school there, I think you'll find various aspects of London a bit cheaper, some the same and others more expensive that SF!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Driving is of course the most convenient, and your USA license is good for a year after you arrive - after that, if you don't want or take the UK test, you could still 'rent' cars as you need them on your US license.

I wouldn't follow that advice if I were you. It's illegal.

You can't rent cars on your US license after you've been here a year, whilst they may let you do this, the small print will state that you need a valid license. If you've been resident in the UK for more than a year your US license is not valid and you should not be driving on it.