Can I have both a UK and a US licence?

I've done driving lessons with an instructor in a Manual because I drove one back in the States and didn't want to take the test again to drive any car. 😖 When I get nervous I fall back on a lot of US habits I have that are NOT okay for driving here.

I lean more towards this line of reasoning and think we should all consider this more.

The urge is to get the license as soon as possible (not the least due to American social construct)....but I have always thought that we may not take our driving responsibilities seriously enough. 

but I have always thought that we may not take our driving responsibilities seriously enough.

Who is the 'we' in your comment above?  And what makes you think this?

Who is the 'we' in your comment above?  And what makes you think this?

Well I am biased....treasurer of the local terrible driver club.

But don't we hear pretty often that under stress sometimes ingrained habit can pop out and the car ends up momentarily on the wrong side of the road? Chances are no harm is done, but....

I am not saying people should not drive in foreign countries....just that it is a pretty big responsibility....

Well I am biased....treasurer of the local terrible driver club.

LOL!

But don't we hear pretty often that under stress sometimes ingrained habit can pop out and the car ends up momentarily on the wrong side of the road? Chances are no harm is done, but....

I am not saying people should not drive in foreign countries....just that it is a pretty big responsibility....

Driving is actually one of the few things I am really good at.
Or so I thought...
until this past summer when I was driving a hire car in Dallas and, for the first time ever, ended up on the wrong side of the road! 
Thanks to a couple of cars honking at me, I realised quite quickly and no harm was done, except to my pride.   

It is ridiculous here in the UK - insurance costs are shockingly expensive.

My wife was allowed to drive here on her license (for an additional £100 which is fine) when she was at her most naïve, inexperienced period of driving in the UK but after a year when she is more experienced she has to get a license? My biggest complaint is with insurance. She is then treated as a BRAND NEW driver with no reference to driving for 10 years prior, insurance then shoots up to an additional £700 a year. Stupid

Look into Aviva car insurance. They're the only insurer over here that took into account my US driving history and no claims. I did get quotes from other insurers, but they all treated me like a brand new driver, so the insurance rates were outrageously expensive. I got my UK license (automatic) back in October, and I've stuck with them.

I've kept my Ohio license. Last year I spoke to a rep at the BMV and explained my situation. She told me that I can still maintain my Ohio license living in the UK. I still hold an address in Ohio, too, so it's not like I'm just using a random friend's address or something. My license comes in handy, plus there's a strong chance we may move to Ohio in a few years, and I don't want to retake another test (though now that I've passed the UK driving test, I feel I can pass most anything!).

Fantastic to know! Thanks Karlee!

We are with Aviva for the exact same reasons, Karlee. Saved us literally thousands of pounds. I've still got my Kentucky license too - I just renewed it the last time I was there. I was going to give my parents' address but they didn't even ask.

Look into Aviva car insurance. They're the only insurer over here that took into account my US driving history and no claims. I did get quotes from other insurers, but they all treated me like a brand new driver, so the insurance rates were outrageously expensive. I got my UK license (automatic) back in October, and I've stuck with them.

I've kept my Ohio license. Last year I spoke to a rep at the BMV and explained my situation. She told me that I can still maintain my Ohio license living in the UK. I still hold an address in Ohio, too, so it's not like I'm just using a random friend's address or something. My license comes in handy, plus there's a strong chance we may move to Ohio in a few years, and I don't want to retake another test (though now that I've passed the UK driving test, I feel I can pass most anything!).

I also found this extraordinarily helpful. Thank you. I am just now looking into the logistics of driving in the UK and the meerkats told me insurance would be at least £800/year for me!

It definitely depends on the state. Some don't care; some (VA is one) require you to report any change of address within 30 days, and also specify that a license is ONLY issued to a resident of VA. If you use a relative's address, you could face criminal prosecution. (I know that sounds harsh, but that's the way it is there.)

You also need to be aware that retaining a US license can be used to deem you resident for state tax purposes. Again, this varies by state, but is something you need to consider if you don't intend to return to the US in the foreseeable future.

What? Why is VA such a pain.  I am so confused now.  So since I don't own property and my current address is my parents house, if I ever make it to England. Do I have to report a change of address?  I guess I can understand if I owned a house and sold it and had no address at that point and therefore using a relatives' address would be wrong. I have tried to find the answer on VA DMV and I am obviously not looking in the right place. I dont want to lose my license, I just renewed it lol...though its still in my maiden name and my husband wants me to change it, but it all seems like too much of a hassle and we applied for the uk spouse visa 7 days after we got married which didn't allow for a new passport, or license etc.

You need to look at this: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#applying.asp. You must show proof of legal presence and proof of VA residency. Also read this: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#legal_presqa.asp, including the links to specific documents.

Owning (or not owning) property is not proof of residence or legal presence. You can own property in VA, but not be resident (think beach houses at VA Beach as one example). VA is VERY clear that you must have a legal address (and actually live in VA) to have a license. If you use your parents' address, and heaven forbid are involved in an accident, you may also be charged with driving without a license. Also, if you use false information to obtain a license, you could be prosecuted. And, while you can drive on a valid US license for 12 months in the UK, if that license is found not to be valid....well....insurance might not pay if there's an accident.

You need to get a UK license as soon as possible - forget holding onto that tie to VA. It's no advantage whatsoever.