Path to UK Driver's license???

Thanks everyone. I kind of put driving to the side for awhile, as I did not need it. But I just found a job I would like to apply for that requires a license. I still have my US one and I am learning to drive a manual, but I know I need a UK one eventually. Out of curiosity - I know everyone is saying it can take up to a month to get your provisional license, but I have not heard anything about how long it takes to get your passport back. My husband and I are going to Cyprus in 6 weeks. Does anyone think this is enough time to apply (by Monday the 18th) and get it back before July 1st?

Thanks everyone. I kind of put driving to the side for awhile, as I did not need it. But I just found a job I would like to apply for that requires a license. I still have my US one and I am learning to drive a manual, but I know I need a UK one eventually. Out of curiosity - I know everyone is saying it can take up to a month to get your provisional license, but I have not heard anything about how long it takes to get your passport back. My husband and I are going to Cyprus in 6 weeks. Does anyone think this is enough time to apply (by Monday the 18th) and get it back before July 1st?

The processing times vary, but a few years ago I applied for my provisional just before Christmas and I received my provisional in 5 days and my BRP and marriage certificate showed up a further 3 days later.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=78098.msg1060239#msg1060239

Thanks TravelingFrog!

Another question - is there a time limit from when you get your provisional license to when you have to take the theory test?

Another question - is there a time limit from when you get your provisional license to when you have to take the theory test?

I don't think there's a time limit for when you have to take your theory test BUT once you take (and pass) the theory test, the pass certificate is only good for two years. You must pass the practical test before the theory test pass cert expires. If you wait longer than that, you'll have to retake the theory test.

I'm now in the process of getting my UK driver's license as well, and hoping to get it before my US license is no longer valid - October 1st.  For some reason I was completely ignorant of the need to get a provisional license before taking the test, thinking that wasn't necessary if you had a valid US driver's license.....

...Now that I've been shown the error of my ways, I will promptly apply for the proper provisional permit (sorry, I'm a sucker for alliteration  ) .  My question is this -

Does my US license become invalid upon receipt of a UK provisional?  Will we have to put learner tags on the car when I drive it?

My driving instructor says yes, that is exactly what happens, but if that's the case what is the benefit to getting your UK license before you've been here a year with a US dl?   

Does my US license become invalid upon receipt of a UK provisional?  Will we have to put learner tags on the car when I drive it?

No, it only becomes invalid once you reach the 12 months in the UK. While you are still within the first 12 months, you drive on your US licence - the provisional is only for the purposes of taking the UK driving tests.

However, if you haven't got the full UK licence by the time the 12 months is up, then the provisional takes over and you will be treated as a learner driver, so will need the L plates and must always been accompanied by someone who is over 21 and has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years (and you won't be allowed on motorways either).

My driving instructor says yes, that is exactly what happens, but if that's the case what is the benefit to getting your UK license before you've been here a year with a US dl?   

No, your driving instructor is wrong - you have until the 12 months is up to drive on the US licence, regardless of whether you have a provisional or not.

Thanks again ksand!  It didn't really make sense the other way, but my instructor had just called the licensing authority up here, and that's what they told her.  I was pretty sure that information was wrong, but it's nice to have it confirmed. 

Woo I'm a thread necromancer!

Now that I have a job my next step is to get myself a proper driving license (since I only have until October)

I'm an excellent driver in the US (read: safe, not aggressive) and I'm wondering if there's an easy list of specific differences in US vs UK road rules. Like: there's no Stop signs in the UK, they're all roundabouts with Give Way signs. Give Way means X and you should always give way to the right.

Just got off my butt and registered online for the provisional license, which will be here in a week or so. I am assuming at that time I will have to fill out whatever paperwork they send and send that back in with my passport and a self addressed envelope? Don't really see a problem with the theory....so far I am passing all the practice tests online. The only ones that are giving me any problem have questions concerning things like knowledge of driving fines.....not sure why you need to know that though. If I do something stupid and they fine me....it's not like I have much choice about it.

I've heard/read that the theory tests now have a section with a moving video? and you are supposed to spot possible problems as they come up.......anything online to practice that?

I've heard/read that the theory tests now have a section with a moving video? and you are supposed to spot possible problems as they come up.......anything online to practice that?

It's called the "hazard perception" test.  If you google it you'll find practice tests.

I've heard/read that the theory tests now have a section with a moving video? and you are supposed to spot possible problems as they come up.......anything online to practice that?

I just passed my theory and hazard perception tests about 3 weeks ago and I had gotten one of those practice CD's through Amazon on the advice of my driving instructor.  If you're interested the one I got is here:



Definitely worth the money for the hazard perception test practice alone.  That is a test you need to learn how to take because there is a knack to it.  I did awful at first, but ended up with 70 out of 75 possible points on my actual test! *patting myself on the back* 

In retrospect it's all rather funny, but at first when taking practice tests I was pretty darn frustrated because I couldn't always see the hazards.  I couldn't believe the one where "you" are driving down a lovely little country lane and what looks like a rock up ahead off the side of the road suddenly turns into a sheep!  By the time I was able to see what it was it was too late to get any points....   

...Then there was the time a particularly thin pedestrian wearing light pole colored clothes suddenly walked out into the zebra crossing! My click was too late again.   

Luckily there were no sheep or oddly shaped and dressed pedestrians in my actual test. 

I just passed my theory and hazard perception tests about 3 weeks ago and I had gotten one of those practice CD's through Amazon on the advice of my driving instructor.  If you're interested the one I got is here:



Definitely worth the money for the hazard perception test practice alone.  That is a test you need to learn how to take because there is a knack to it.  I did awful at first, but ended up with 70 out of 75 possible points on my actual test! *patting myself on the back* 

In retrospect it's all rather funny, but at first when taking practice tests I was pretty darn frustrated because I couldn't always see the hazards.  I couldn't believe the one where "you" are driving down a lovely little country lane and what looks like a rock up ahead off the side of the road suddenly turns into a sheep!  By the time I was able to see what it was it was too late to get any points....   

...Then there was the time a particularly thin pedestrian wearing light pole colored clothes suddenly walked out into the zebra crossing! My click was too late again.   

Luckily there were no sheep or oddly shaped and dressed pedestrians in my actual test. 

Thanks....considering the cost I might just order the DVD for TV. My new-ish Macbook doesn't have a DVD player.....any chance you know if the DVD is useful just watching it on the TV? Probably not much I would think unless there was a way to interact with it. The hazard examples I looked at online (no sound) looked pretty simple and the hazards were pretty obvious. Guess I could always use my step-daughters laptop....

Thanks....considering the cost I might just order the DVD for TV. My new-ish Macbook doesn't have a DVD player.....any chance you know if the DVD is useful just watching it on the TV? Probably not much I would think unless there was a way to interact with it. The hazard examples I looked at online (no sound) looked pretty simple and the hazards were pretty obvious. Guess I could always use my step-daughters laptop....

It's not just about seeing the hazards, you need to know you're clicking at the right time and only once. From what I remember, the closer you click to the hazard, the more points you get. There is (or was two years ago) one video in each test with two hazards that you need to click for, but if you over-click, you get 0 points for that video (this happened to me on my test when I got nervous, but I still passed).

I think it'd be better to do it on an actual laptop. If you failed the hazard perception part, you'd have to retake the entire theory test (and pay again).

Thanks....considering the cost I might just order the DVD for TV. My new-ish Macbook doesn't have a DVD player.....any chance you know if the DVD is useful just watching it on the TV? Probably not much I would think unless there was a way to interact with it. The hazard examples I looked at online (no sound) looked pretty simple and the hazards were pretty obvious. Guess I could always use my step-daughters laptop....

Did you have a UK license when you lived here before?  Can you not just renew it without having to retest?

And I agree with the others.  You'll be able to spot the hazards, etc.  But it's learning the art of the "click" that you need.  Too soon, you fail.  Too late, you fail.  Got to get it just right!

Did you have a UK license when you lived here before?  Can you not just renew it without having to retest?

And I agree with the others.  You'll be able to spot the hazards, etc.  But it's learning the art of the "click" that you need.  Too soon, you fail.  Too late, you fail.  Got to get it just right!

Guess I'll check with the step-daughter to see if I can use her computer then and order the DVD. It's only £6.48 on Amazon.

As far as my earlier years here (1980-87 + 2004-2011) I was a US govt employee (teacher) and they have deals with different govt's on these kinds of things. All I ever had to do was take a written test to make sure you knew most of the signs+rules (I was in Germany, UK+ Japan). So as long as you had a valid US drivers license you got an additional paper license for the country you were living in. Believe it used to be called the 3rd Air Force license (no idea why).