Of course you can
.
Just apply for one online. Some people even apply for a provisional licence even if they don’t plan to drive in the U.K... they use it for ID instead.
You are legally allowed to drive on your US licence for 12 months from the date you arrive in the U.K. on your visa.
You have those 12 months to take and pass the U.K. driving tests and acquire a full UK licence... and you need to apply for a provisional licence in order to take the U.K. driving tests.
If you do not have a full UK licence by the time the 12 months are up, you will be treated like a learner driver in the U.K., which means you cannot drive on your US licence, you must display red L plates on the car and you must be accompanied at all times by someone over 21 who has held a full UK licence for at least 3 years.
In terms of getting insurance, you’ll need to shop around and see which car insurance companies will insure you with a US licence. You may find it’s more expensive than if you had a full U.K. licence.
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