Looking to get my UK driver license for short trips

Me and my family in the UK are lucky enough to not need a car for our regular transport - we can walk to work, to school, and into town - and we love it that way.

The only exception for us with loving not having a car is going on holiday, since a lot of small towns and small attractions (or even plenty of big attractions) are inconvenient or impossible to get to with public transport. So what we're thinking of doing is renting a camper van when we go on holiday, then we can easily get wherever we like.

I have a US drivers license and drove an automatic car for years in America with no problem. My understanding is that the majority of vehicles in the UK are manual transmission, so I'll have to learn how to use them.

I haven't thought about driving here before, so I really don't know even what I need to know. Can anybody point me in the right direction? How do I get started with the process? Is it going to cost me any less because I know how to drive already, or will I need to have the same lessons as anybody else? How long would the whole process take, like if I started tomorrow how soon could I have my license? Thanks!

How long have you been in the UK? Your US licence is only valid to drive in the UK for the first 12 months after you move here. So, if it has been longer than 12 months, you will have to start from scratch with getting a UK licence, as if you were a learner driver.

Most cars are manual, though you can buy automatics more easily now than a few years ago. If you take your UK test in an automatic, you will only be licensed to drive automatic cars, which means no manuals, ever. However, if you take your test in a manual, you will be licensed to drive both manual and automatic cars.

The first step is to apply for a provisional driving licence (this will involve mailing your passport with the application if you are not a UK citizen).

Once you have the provisional licence, you can start practicing your driving. However, as a 'learner' driver, you will be restricted to learner rules... which means:

- you must display red 'L' plates on the car at all times

- you must be accompanied at all times by someone over 21 who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years

- you will not be allowed to drive on motorways

It's a good idea to take a few driving lessons first, so you can learn how to a) drive a manual and b) pass the test (it's very specific and only about 50% of people pass on the first try). You can use your instructor's car for the lessons and to take the test in (most UK teens learning to drive won't have their own car yet, so this is common practice).

You will need to take and pass the theory and hazard perception tests first, then the practical driving test.

Once you have done all of that (which may take several months - it took me about 1.5 years of lessons, plus 3 tests, to get my driving licence when I was 17), you will have a full UK license and will be able to drive. However, insurance is likely to be expensive as you will be treated as a 'new' driver. I'm not sure whether you would have any issues with renting cars as a new driver - you may be considered an 'at risk' driver for the first couple of years.

Thank you very much, that's very thorough. I appreciate the information.

I was already able to drive a manual when I moved here.  I did about 10 hours of lessons to learn how to pass the test.

I booked the first available written test (theory) and immediately booked first available driving test (practical) and that took 5 months from start to finish.  It can be a lengthy process!

im interested in this thread as well.

wow, 1.5 yrs of lessons!? 10 hrs of lessons even!? how hard is it to learn manual? I already understand most of the concepts (being a fully licensed driver of automatics for about 9 years now).  I've been told by my english friends I'd just have trouble with some things like hillstops.

a few more questions:

• I was planning to get a license so I can also have a hired car for ski holidays in Europe, etc. I would never own a car. With all the provisional license driving, can you hire a car for the day (lets say Europcar or Zipcar) and slap the L on it and drive around? Or are car hire company's a strict NO with that?
• With the Juniors Drivers license in some US states, you have to sign something saying youve done X hours of practice on your provisional license (in PA its 50 hrs I believe).  Is there something like that for the UK provisional license?  I'm asking because I would have to get one of my mates to come with me every time I do.

im interested in this thread as well.

wow, 1.5 yrs of lessons!? 10 hrs of lessons even!? how hard is it to learn manual? I already understand most of the concepts (being a fully licensed driver of automatics for about 9 years now).  I've been told by my english friends I'd just have trouble with some things like hillstops.

a few more questions:

• I was planning to get a license so I can also have a hired car for ski holidays in Europe, etc. I would never own a car. With all the provisional license driving, can you hire a car for the day (lets say Europcar or Zipcar) and slap the L on it and drive around? Or are car hire company's a strict NO with that?
• With the Juniors Drivers license in some US states, you have to sign something saying youve done X hours of practice on your provisional license (in PA its 50 hrs I believe).  Is there something like that for the UK provisional license?  I'm asking because I would have to get one of my mates to come with me every time I do.

Yup, 10 hours.  It's all about learning to pass the test.  Things like crossing your hands while turning, not using the parking brake when stopped (just at a light), signalling before checking no less than 5 viewpoints, all count against you and can lead to failing.

No idea about your first question.  You wouldn't be insurance I wouldn't think.

No, you don't have to sign off hours on a provisional.  Just have to pass the test to not have someone else in the car (after 12 months).

I only had 1.5 years of lessons because I was a nervous 17-year-old driver who wanted to take her time. Plus there was a waiting period of 2 months to book the tests, so it took my 6 months just to pass once I was ready (3 tests, each 2 months apart)!

My brothers got their licences in in 6 months and 3 months respectively, so everyone is different.

To rent a car you will need a full UK licence. Avis require you to have held your licence for at least 1 year to rent a car in the UK:

 http://www.avis.co.uk/about-avis/booking-conditions "Driving Licence - You will need a full driving licence that covers the vehicle rented by you. For rentals in the UK, the licence will need to have been held for at least 12 months at the time of rental. For rentals in Ireland, customers must have been eligible to hold a valid driver's licence for 8 years of which 2 must be at a full driver's licence qualification. For rentals in other countries, the licence is typically required for at least one year."

- you must display red 'L' plates on the car at all times

- you must be accompanied at all times by someone over 21 who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years

- you will not be allowed to drive on motorways

Just have to pass the test to not have someone else in the car (after 12 months).

Wait...I just moved here (been in the UK less than a month) and I am practising on my US license right now while studying for the theory test. Does the above (in bold) mean that I would have to have someone in the car with me to drive to/from work? Or can I get my provisional while I have been here less than a year and still drive alone on my US license?

And what does the bit about passing the test to "not have someone else in the car (after 12 months)" mean? Do I have to have someone with me for a year before I can drive alone?

Wait...I just moved here (been in the UK less than a month) and I am practising on my US license right now while studying for the theory test. Does the above (in bold) mean that I would have to have someone in the car with me to drive to/from work? Or can I get my provisional while I have been here less than a year and still drive alone on my US license?

And what does the bit about passing the test to "not have someone else in the car (after 12 months)" mean? Do I have to have someone with me for a year before I can drive alone?

So you can drive on your own for the first 12 months in your US license /UK provisional.  Once you've been in the UK 12 months and one day, if you haven't received your full UK license, the above restrictions apply.

Got it...thanks! I just wanted to make sure I understood correctly!

To rent a car you will need a full UK licence. Avis require you to have held your licence for at least 1 year to rent a car in the UK:

 http://www.avis.co.uk/about-avis/booking-conditions "Driving Licence - You will need a full driving licence that covers the vehicle rented by you. For rentals in the UK, the licence will need to have been held for at least 12 months at the time of rental. For rentals in Ireland, customers must have been eligible to hold a valid driver's licence for 8 years of which 2 must be at a full driver's licence qualification. For rentals in other countries, the licence is typically required for at least one year."

thanks. that is massively useful. I will err on the safe side and assume every rental company is like that.