Need UK Driver License - How? And is it just written or road test as well?

Hi everyone!  I'm just to sort out my UK DL here as I've been here a year and now can no longer drive on my USA one. 

The whole DL site confuses me so not sure if it is just a theory test as they let us drive here a whole year on our us one (makes no sense to me that they would let you drive a year here on the us one and then make you take a driving road test?) or I have to do a written (theory test) AND a driving test.  And if it is both, how long does this whole process take and if it just written, how long does that take?

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

You have to take both tests.  The time it takes depends on how quickly you can schedule and pass the exams.  It also depends on whether or not you want to take driving lessons.  Have you received a provisional license yet?

Take a look at DVLA's site on the procedure.

In order to get a UK licence, you will need to pass both the theory and the practical tests.

First of all, you will need to apply for a provisional UK licence. Then, once you have the provisional licence and you have studied for it, you can take the theory test. After you have passed the theory test, you can take the practical test.

However, the practical test is tough to pass (I believe only about 45% of test takers pass their first time... I took my practical test at the Bristol test centre in 2001 and it took me 3 attempts to pass!). I would recommend taking some lessons from a driving instructor before you take the practical test because there are specific things you have to do in order to pass the test.

As you have been here more than a year and have not yet passed the UK tests, you will now be treated like a UK learner driver.
This means:
- you need the provisional licence in order to drive
- you must display red 'L' (learner) plates on the car at all times while driving
- you must be accompanied at all times by a driver who is over 21 and has held a UK licence for 3 years
- you cannot drive on the motorways

This means:
- you need the provisional licence in order to drive
- you must display red 'L' (learner) plates on the car at all times while driving
- you must be accompanied at all times by a driver who is over 21 and has held a UK licence for 3 years
- you cannot drive on the motorways

Just to emphasize - without your provisional license, you can't drive at all in the UK. Although it sounds as if you know that already.

Just to emphasize - without your provisional license, you can't drive at all in the UK. Although it sounds as if you know that already.

To piggy back on what Chary was saying, I also found out that on a provisional, you can't drive on a motorway or out of your area (unless a licensed driver is in the car with you!) Something else I didn't know till the day I took my driving test is that even though your American license is supposed to be valid "x" amount of time if your in that good time period and get your provisional, your American license become invalid! (I found this all out because everyday I drive 35 min to work on a motorway to a different county and apparently that was a no-no...I never got caught! But I thought a forewarning caution might be helpful!)

Amberelle11,

Are you saying that if you are in England and apply for your provisional license before the one year expiration, your US license becomes invalid?  Do I understand you correctly?

So if I moved to England say in March and applied for my provisional license in April my US license would be invalid even though I have 11 months left on it?  Is that correct?

To add to it, when I took my practical today, I noticed the form says: "I normally live/have lived in the UK for at least 185 days in the last 12 months (except taxi/private hire).", which you do sign to declare that to be true.

I then says to see note 30, which says: "Normal residence means the place where you normally live and have personal or occupational ties. However, if you have moved to the UK from another European Country or European Economic Area (EC/EEA), you should not take a driving test or obtain a first full licence unless you have lived here for 185 days in the last 12 months and are still living here at the time of your licence application. You may be asked to provide evidence of this."

Just be aware of residency requirements.

But that states IF you move from a European country.

I see, so 6+ months of residency before applying for provisional.  Still confused about my original question though.  If I move next year, wait 7 months apply for a provisional even though the one year is not yet up, do I then lose my US license?

I see, so 6+ months of residency before applying for provisional. 

No, you can apply for your provisional at any time.

The 6 months is only for taking the practical test and should only apply to people who have moved to the UK from Europe.

Still confused about my original question though.  If I move next year, wait 7 months apply for a provisional even though the one year is not yet up, do I then lose my US license?

I've been on this forum for 5 years and this thread is the first I've ever heard of that.

From what I know, it's not true - I believe there have been plenty of people here who have applied for their provisional and still continued to drive on their US licence for up to 12 months.

The direct.gov.uk website doesn't say anything about not being able to drive on your US licence. In fact, it even says that because you have a foreign licence you will not be subject to the normal provisional licence rules either (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561):

Driving on licences from all other countries, and students on a foreign licence

Residents

If you are the holder of an ordinary driving licence or a valid international driving permit, you can drive any category of small vehicle shown on your licence. You will be able to drive for up to 12 months from the time you became a 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.

If you don’t pass a test within the 12-month concessionary period you cannot drive as a full licence holder, and provisional licence conditions will apply.

If you wish to continue driving you must apply for a British provisional licence with a view to passing a driving test. Provisional licence conditions will then apply.

If you don’t apply for a provisional licence within the first 12 months you must stop driving.

New residents who hold a vocational licence (minibus, bus or lorry entitlement) must not drive large vehicles until they have passed the relevant GB driving test.

Driving test candidates are required to pass a motor car (category B) test first before applying for provisional entitlement for larger vehicles.

Still confused about my original question though.  If I move next year, wait 7 months apply for a provisional even though the one year is not yet up, do I then lose my US license?

No, you don't lose it.

Your US license is good for 12 months no matter what. However, you need to get going on obtaining your UK license within that period or else you'll risk being license-less after 12 months if you haven't passed your UK test.

No, you don't lose it.

Your US license is good for 12 months no matter what. However, you need to get going on obtaining your UK license within that period or else you'll risk being license-less after 12 months if you haven't passed your UK test.

Thanks so much! I'll make sure when I move to get it going as soon as I'm settled.  Something tells me I'll need to time for driving lessons.

Ksand24 thanks for the response as well.  

And just as a head's up--give yourself plenty of time.  I know others have mentioned it, but I was surprised how much time it took me to get my license--months altogether, and I passed both tests on my first try.  It just took me forever to schedule my exams--even the theory test took a really long time for me to get in and take.  Once I managed to get in for my practical exams, they cancelled them on me several times and made me reschedule them all over again.  It seems one of the examiners was on long-term sick (for over a year), but they continued booking the same number of exams and just had to reschedule them when they couldn't squeeze everyone in--madness!

And just as a head's up--give yourself plenty of time.  I know others have mentioned it, but I was surprised how much time it took me to get my license--months altogether, and I passed both tests on my first try.  It just took me forever to schedule my exams--even the theory test took a really long time for me to get in and take.  Once I managed to get in for my practical exams, they cancelled them on me several times and made me reschedule them all over again.  It seems one of the examiners was on long-term sick (for over a year), but they continued booking the same number of exams and just had to reschedule them when they couldn't squeeze everyone in--madness!

Duly noted.  I definitely know I will need time for the practical exams so I plan on taking lots of lessons.  Quick question, how difficult was the theory test?  I am assuming there is a book to study correct?

I second Cadenza - it takes so long to get through the process! Where I am, practical tests are about a six week wait from booking, and the theory test was at least 2 or 3 weeks.

And don't forget working in lessons with your budget and schedule and your instructor's schedule. If you've got a good instructor, you'll find trying to fit in your schedule with his/hers will be even more difficult as they'll be booked up. It is worth the frustration, though, as a good instructor is worth their weight in gold.

I obtained my provisional in August, took my theory test in mid-September and started lessons shortly after. I just passed my practical this week (first try on all tests).

As to the question about a book to study from - yes, but I suggest getting the DVD/online program that will let you do practice theory questions straight from the DVLA. The questions in the program were on the test. And don't forget to get a practice program for the hazard perception test, you need to learn how to time yourself for clicking to spot the hazards.