Path to UK Driver's license???

This is very helpful information! My husband and I are thinking about buying a car so the license thing has become more important. Is it possible to take the driver's test in an automatic? We're planning to get one because I am hopeless at a manual.

Also, does the 12 months reset every time you go back to the states? I've seen conflicting info on this.

This is very helpful information! My husband and I are thinking about buying a car so the license thing has become more important. Is it possible to take the driver's test in an automatic? We're planning to get one because I am hopeless at a manual.

Also, does the 12 months reset every time you go back to the states? I've seen conflicting info on this.

You can take your test in an automatic, but you'll only be licenced for automatics (so if you ever wanted to drive a manual, you'd have to completely retake the test in a manual).

The 12 months does not reset each time you leave the UK.

Also, does the 12 months reset every time you go back to the states? I've seen conflicting info on this.

I was told it did -- but not true.

Thanks! Hopefully my husband will have better luck at taking the driving test, he's been driving here for several months using a rental car.

Just working my way through the Highway Code....wondering if there is a bit of a Catch-22 in there. I can drive for a year with my US license....but need to apply for a provisional before I can take the theory/practical....but if I apply for a provisional, can I still drive on the motorway? The rules for a provisional keep you off the motorway. I've driven on the left for about 19 years (in the UK+Okinawa,Japan).

 The no driving on the motorway until you get your license has always been a rule I always thought was pretty stupid. If it's so dangerous to drive on the motorway.....why do they just turn you loose on it with no direct supervision or practice once you get your license? Another one I thought was silly.....you are not supposed to eat while you drive, but no problem smoking.

Supposedly they still have you reverse around a corner on the test? I've always wondered about that as well. In the name of safety, why would they want you backing around a corner?

Once we get somewhat settled I was planning on taking a lesson with an instructor just to have them cover what I need to pass the test.

You can drive for the full 12 months like a fully licensed driver even with the UK provisional.

I'm right there with you on the rules. I can see restricting motorway driving for 6 months or something but Not all or nothing. The British will justify that and the corner.  I have yet to need to reverse a corner in real life.

I think it's easier driving on the motorway (having only done it once, mind you  ) than in the city or even suburbs.  So many drivers in urban areas drive at high speeds (not to mention the ones who think it's OK to drive up over the pavement!)  And then you have even more roundabouts and pedestrian crossings to worry about in a residential area.

Thanks for clearing up the provisional/US license motorway driving question I was just about to ask! I've already had to take a speed awareness course and there are more accidents in rural areas than on motorways. I think it's a silly rule cuz I live in a rural area and way more frightened of our windy one lane roads with multiple cars than driving on the motorways.

Thanks for clearing up the provisional/US license motorway driving question I was just about to ask! I've already had to take a speed awareness course and there are more accidents in rural areas than on motorways. I think it's a silly rule cuz I live in a rural area and way more frightened of our windy one lane roads with multiple cars than driving on the motorways.

It's the speed on the motorways that is dangerous for learner drivers and other road users. Things happen faster at speed and accidents tend to be more serious, or can turn into a major accident very quickly.

Plus there are strict rules for motorway driving, slip roads, overtaking and moving back into an inside lane and undertaking is not allowed. Hogging middle lanes (mainly because people seem to be scared of the speed of the slip roads on/off and moving into another lane of traffic and back again) became such a big problem over recent years that the rules were changed. Instead of the courts having to deal with these dangerous drivers, they can now just be issued with a fine and 3 points on their licence. Ghost licences are created by DVLA for those driving on a foreign licence who commited an offence on UK roads.

Looking at the page for applying for your provisional license, I see that you have to send in your passport and it's likely you won't get it back for a month. My husband travels internationally often for work so it will be hard for him to lose his passport for a month, but the other documents listed aren't things we have. Has anyone else run into this? What did you do?

Edited to add: Now looking at the practical test, I see you need to bring your own vehicle. Does that mean we need to buy our car BEFORE we take the test? What if we don't have a car?

Yes, you do have to send your passport.  I think it's usually pretty quick though, but could take up to a month.

You can take a test in an instructors car.  That's what I did even though I had my own vehicle.

It's the speed on the motorways that is dangerous for learner drivers and other road users. Things happen faster at speed and accidents tend to be more serious, or can turn into a major accident very quickly.

Plus there are strict rules for motorway driving, slip roads, overtaking and moving back into an inside lane and undertaking is not allowed. Hogging middle lanes (mainly because people seem to be scared of the speed of the slip roads on/off and moving into another lane of traffic and back again) became such a big problem over recent years that the rules were changed.

That's exactly why I think it's nuts not to take learner drivers out on the motorway with a driving instructor. If it's THAT dangerous....why would you just turn them loose on the motorway without an experienced trainer.

That's exactly why I think it's nuts not to take learner drivers out on the motorway with a driving instructor. If it's THAT dangerous....why would you just turn them loose on the motorway without an experienced trainer.

Many learners drive very slow and that is not good on a fast moving motorway or in heavy traffic. As the learner gets better, the instuctor takes them on dual carriageways where learners are allowed. At least on a dual carriageway they can stay in the inside lane and drive at speed, whereas on motorways they will need to change lanes at speed. Points on a provisional licence are carried forward to a full licence.

Once you have passed your test, there is nothing to stop you from taking an instructor with you on the motorway for motorway instruction.  Some people do this in London if they haven't driven for a while.

If a new driver is that bad then they won't have their licence for long. Just one offence of 6 points would see their licence revoked because new drivers only have 6 points for the first 2 years. If their licence is revoked then they start again with having to apply for a new provisional and having to pass both theory tests and the practical test again.

Looking at the page for applying for your provisional license, I see that you have to send in your passport and it's likely you won't get it back for a month. My husband travels internationally often for work so it will be hard for him to lose his passport for a month, but the other documents listed aren't things we have. Has anyone else run into this? What did you do?

Edited to add: Now looking at the practical test, I see you need to bring your own vehicle. Does that mean we need to buy our car BEFORE we take the test? What if we don't have a car?

What other documents are listed if you don't mind me asking?

A BRP.