Using US phone/driving in UK

Hi! Anyone have luck using a US phone (mine is an iPhone 5s) with a UK SIM card? Does unlocking it allow this?

As I understand it, I can drive for 1 year from when I landed in the UK with a provisional license or something similar. How do I go about it and what are thoughts from Americans driving in the UK? Definitely going to need an automatic haha.

I've just taken in my iPhone 5 the other day to try to get a SIM and was told I have to get my phone unlocked first. If you had T-Mobile in the US you should be able to work with EE easily. I'm not sure of any other US carriers that work with UK carriers-- I was on AT&T and it was a pretty straightforward process to get my phone unlocked. It just took them a couple business days to do. I'm going in today to sort my phone hopefully but I imagine that's all that needed to be done!

Most people say it's best to get the driving stuff done as soon as you can because it take a while to get through the driving test and whatnot. You can drive for a year on a US license though. I haven't started driving yet as I just got here, but if you haven't got much going on or can get some time off work, intensive driving lessons are a good way to get things done quicker. Also, you can test on an automatic, but your UK license will prevent you from driving a manual. If you test in a manual, you can drive manual or automatic. I'll be testing in a manual because I figure some instance will come up where I'll need to drive and the only option will be a manual.


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Also, you can test on an automatic, but your UK license will prevent you from driving a manual. If you test in a manual, you can drive manual or automatic. I'll be testing in a manual because I figure some instance will come up where I'll need to drive and the only option will be a manual.

Smart move! 

In respect of the driving I would suggest that you take a few lessons with a driving instructor.  It might be that your paramour is willing to give you a chance to drive around with them but an instructor will give you tips for driving in the UK and teach you how to pass the driving tests.  As far as I am aware the driving test is in two parts; first the theory where you have to answer questions but also undertake a video exam and the second is the actual driving exam.  Dependant upon where you live no in the States roads here can be small and there are roundabouts to contend with that you might not have to have dealt with in your part of the country.  It has been awhile since I have taken the driving exam.

I did an automatic exam in my car.  As stated before a full license is when you take your exam for the manual transmission and then there is a licence for an automatic transmission.  I choose automatic because I know the stop and go traffic we have in Canterbury I would hate having to shift gears all the time as I could drive both a manual and automatic in the States before moving here, thus, my choice was only based on the type of traffic I had to drive in on a daily basis.  So when it comes time to pick which licence you want maybe think about the type of traffic you will be driving in on a daily basis.  Plus buying cars now that are automatic transmission is rather common place.  It was not so common in my area when I first moved here. 

Good luck with everything. 

I'm in the midst of getting my UK license right now. Oh, the joy!
I would get your provisional license as soon as you can, just to get it out of the way. You have to send your passport off to get it and it will take a few weeks. You can either request they post you the paperwork or you can pick it up at a post office. You can even do a good chunk of the application online and save a few quid. They will then send you a short form to fill out to include your passport and photos to use on your license. (Yes, you get to choose what photo goes on your license!)

For me, the Theory portion of the test is what's holding me up. Definitely get the computer Theory test revision guide. It's only available for PCs right now, not Macs. The rules and regulations over here are a heckuva lot more... in depth than in the States. My study guide for the theory test in paper is HUGE, I remember my US one was a pamphlet about 20 pages long. Once you pass your theory test it's 'good' for two years.

And I definitely second taking some driving lessons with an instructor. The rules over here for driving are a lot different. You stop much further forward at intersections, you're supposed to 'eco-drive', shifting into 4th at 30mph, and so many other things. They'll get you driving with good habits.

If you go for manual and you already know how to drive a manual, be prepared for some silliness. I kept trying to grab the gear shift with my right hand and just ineffectually hit the door handles. haha.

your paramour

Did I miss something juicy?

Unless you feel really uncomfortable driving a manual, I'd recommend getting your full licence.

With an automatic, you can only drive automatics; with a full licence, you can drive automatic OR manual.

If you decided now to only get your automatic licence and down the road, realised you needed a full licence, you'd have to take the practical test over again (I'm not sure about the theory test, I would guess not, but it says it's only good for two years, soooo.... )

For the technicalities:
- You can drive in the UK on your US licence for the first year after you move here
- Leaving the UK on a holiday does not reset that one year
- You don't need your provisional to drive here in that first year
- You do need the provisional to take the UK driving tests, even if it's still within your first year here
- YMMV for whether your instructor wants you to have your UK provisional or if they think your US licence (within 1 year of moving here) is ok for lessons
- The prices for automatic or full licence are the same, so you won't be saving any money by taking automatic; in fact, you'd be spending more if you ever had to re-take the test to get a full licence

If you go for manual and you already know how to drive a manual, be prepared for some silliness. I kept trying to grab the gear shift with my right hand and just ineffectually hit the door handles. haha.

I've done that a few times now! It's a wee bit embarrassing when I smack my right hand into the window hard enough to say, "ow!".  My UKC spouse gives me such a look!   

Sorry for the slight thread hijack - back to more helpful comments now.   

I do agree with those who are encouraging you to consider getting a full license by testing in a manual if possible. 

For me, the Theory portion of the test is what's holding me up. Definitely get the computer Theory test revision guide.

Hi Iyonaria,
Do you know the official name of this guide? I'm trying to search this out and there are a number of DVLA guides to choose from.  Is this on disk only, is it a kit with test?


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Did I miss something juicy?

No I just like the word it seems a better description than partner.  When I think of partner I think of business transactions.  So it is just me and my own little weird thoughts. 

No I just like the word it seems a better description than partner.  When I think of partner I think of business transactions.  So it is just me and my own little weird thoughts.

Well I sometimes introduce my wife as my "travelling companion" or "special friend".

Hi Iyonaria,
Do you know the official name of this guide? I'm trying to search this out and there are a number of DVLA guides to choose from.  Is this on disk only, is it a kit with test?


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Hey! Uhm...basically you want to get one with the Hazard perception test practice. It's a PC DVD rom.

The free online ones are okay but there really aren't enough of them in my opinion and they aren't quite right...

I'm going with this one...but I haven't actually passed mine yet.
(this is the 2016 version)

I tried using just the books and that just did not help me. The damn thing is like 2 inches thick! Ugh. So one failed theory test under my belt. *sigh* I'm usually so good at tests. I just don't get the UK way of phrasing things...

I've just taken in my iPhone 5 the other day to try to get a SIM and was told I have to get my phone unlocked first. If you had T-Mobile in the US you should be able to work with EE easily. I'm not sure of any other US carriers that work with UK carriers-- I was on AT&T and it was a pretty straightforward process to get my phone unlocked. It just took them a couple business days to do. I'm going in today to sort my phone hopefully but I imagine that's all that needed to be done!
 

I have sprint and as I understand (from Google) they're partners with EE (which I have now). Did they unlock your phone at EE or does the US provider have to do it?

I have sprint and as I understand (from Google) they're partners with EE (which I have now). Did they unlock your phone at EE or does the US provider have to do it?

They may very well be-- Sprint never came up in my conversations with them, but I had already told them I had AT&T.

I had my phone unlocked by AT&T and it only took two business days and was very straightforward. Unlocking iPhones doesn't even require any nonsense codes or anything (at least with AT&T). I was told that I could get it done in the UK by non-carriers and it could take up to 10 business days and cost £20-40. There's usually a shop or two in town centers that offer this service, but it was definitely easier just going through my carrier in the US.

As a side note, I with my iPhone when they first put in the UK SIM card after my phone was unlocked, the guy at EE thought my phone was still locked because there was some sort of warning about the SIM card. I was sure it must be unlocked as it had been more than 2 business days, and I found I had to connect to wifi and log in to my Apple ID and wait for the SIM card to sort itself out. Until I did that, my phone was virtually useless as I couldn't get to any of my apps. Not sure how other phones react when they get an unfamiliar SIM.


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Hey! Uhm...basically you want to get one with the Hazard perception test practice. It's a PC DVD rom.

The free online ones are okay but there really aren't enough of them in my opinion and they aren't quite right...

I'm going with this one...but I haven't actually passed mine yet.
(this is the 2016 version)

I tried using just the books and that just did not help me. The damn thing is like 2 inches thick! Ugh. So one failed theory test under my belt. *sigh* I'm usually so good at tests. I just don't get the UK way of phrasing things...

Ok perfect, I'll check that out! I haven't been sure which ones are more reliable.


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