Obtaining car insurance and driving license as a US->UK expat

Was going to post this in Money Matters but saw an abundance of car related discussions in here. Feel free to move if I'm OT.

SO and I are getting married and I'll be moving from Miami to the northwest UK so we can be together.

This isn't the first time I've been confused about this topic as my employer was trying to get me to move to greater London about 2 years ago. I understand the insurance groups for cars and motorcycles and for the most part I understand how things would have played out had I come over on a work visa and been able to keep my US license privileges for a year. However in this case it's now a spouse visa.

I'm assuming I will have to get a learning permit and start out all over again, during which time I will have no driving history for insurance to reference and calculate cost from. When I was looking at insurance from the other perspective (work visa) and talking to some UK residents on the pistonheads forum 2 years ago, it appeared that there were a number of insurance agents that specialized in US citizens with established driving records who had come to the UK on a work visa.

My plan was to buy an inexpensive car (Hyundai i10 with the 1.0 engine) in Group 1 and go through the hoops of getting my permit and eventually my license. Trying not to break the bank with insane insurance expenses and choose a car that would be at home in the narrower roads so that I can get acclimated to RHD.

I have a good driving history here in the US. Some in PA and some in FL. I'm 29 and have had my license here since 17. Motorcycle endorsement since 19.

Any advice on insurance agents/expenses and starting out with driving in the UK?

In terms of driving in the UK and getting a licence, once you move to the UK on a visa, you can legally drive on your US licence for 12 months.

If you want to continue driving after those 12 months are up, you will need a full UK driving licence - which means taking and passing all the UK driving tests (theory and practical).

You will need to apply for a provisional UK licence in order to take the tests, but if you can work on getting your licence before the 12 months are up, you can continue to drive as normal on your US licence.

However, if you haven't passed the UK tests and got a UK licence by the end of the 12 months, you will be treated as a learner driver - which means: you cannot drive alone, you must be accompanied in the car at all times by someone over 21 who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years; you will have to display 'L' plates on the car and you will not be allowed to drive on motorways.

It can take a few months to pass the UK tests, and it's a good idea to take a few lessons to learn how to pass the test, so I'd get started on it soon after you arrive.

In terms of getting insurance, I think people here on the forum have had luck finding insurers who will take into account their US driving history.

In terms of getting insurance, I think people here on the forum have had luck finding insurers who will take into account their US driving history.

Aviva is the one that most people here recommend, for that reason. 

Admiral used my US driving history.  I was able to get a 3.5 liter V6 insured for £600 a year that first year.  Not too bad when you consider the power of the engine.

Admiral used my US driving history.  I was able to get a 3.5 liter V6 insured for £600 a year that first year.  Not too bad when you consider the power of the engine.

Strange, I'm with Admiral and they said to me that they only had one 'space' on their system for licensing information, i.e. wouldn't count my wife's 10 years driving prior to her move over. I need to get back onto them as I was chatting to somebody not from this country when I last called.

Awesome. I checked with aviva last night and got a much better quote (£711) than the £1400-£1700 quotes I was getting previously. I just did a quick one online. When the time comes, I'll call Admiral and Aviva and see who will give me the best accurate quote.

Thanks!

Strange, I'm with Admiral and they said to me that they only had one 'space' on their system for licensing information, i.e. wouldn't count my wife's 10 years driving prior to her move over. I need to get back onto them as I was chatting to somebody not from this country when I last called.

My husband asked and we were told no as well