Driver's liscense in england...?

Question

i have an american driver's liscense, and am going to be moving to london soon. what do i need to do to get a british liscense? do i have to start from the bottom, or can i skip some steps?

Answer 1

You could book a test straight away but I'll guess you'll fail and waste your money. Because it's not just a test on driving, but on driving in Britain and understanding UK roadsigns, restrictions, roundabouts etc.

You would be best to prepare by taking some lessons with a UK driving school specifically to get you ready for the driving test; they will be able to tell you the things you need to know/do in order to pass. There are number of driving schools, one of the biggest is BSM - http://www.bsm.co.uk/

You must know the Highway Code and you should buy a copy asap -- this contains the rules and the meaning of all the road signs. The book only costs £2 and is available from all bookshops, Amazon and here http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1207635&DI=556883

Youcould try some example theory tests on line here - http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/fs/en and http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/drivingschool/theory_test.jsp

Best of luck

Answer 2

You have to take a driving test and answer a couple of questions on the highway code. The highway code is the easy part, but unlike the US, you don't get asked about the highway code until the end of your driving test. The test involves about 45 minutes of driving. You will have to know how to perform a 3 point turn, back around a corner without hitting the curb, perform a hill start and parallel park. If you take your test in an automatic you will only be allowed to drive an automatic so you better brush up on driving a standard. The hardest part about driving in the UK coming from the US is the positioning of the car in the road. You are not only driving on the other side of the road, but also on the other side of the car! I suggest you take a few lessons before taking the test.
Oh,,, almost forgot...if you steer hand over hand, it's an immediate fail. I had to sit at home and practice with a plate!

By the way, I failed twice in the States and passed first time in the UK so it can be done. I took lessons with BSM. I went to the test with my instructor, drove there and took the test in his car.

Answer 3

If you are planning to live in the UK permanently, then you are allowed to drive on your license (providing it is a full license) for 12 months. During that time you will need to take lessons, and apply for your test. You will be not be allowed to drive on your own license after 12 months, so best take your test in that time.
It is quite hard these days I would not be telling the truth if I said otherwise, but as the roads are overcrowded anyway and everyone has a car, obviously people DO pass. All the best.

Answer 4

The person above is pretty much right on about the temporary use of your own license. However, I feel it is really necessary to reiterate how much harder the driving test there is. In the US, the driving test is largely a joke, and if you do not screw up awfully, you will pass. There, it is something wicked. It takes a lot of practice and they are very unforgiving. Most people fail their first time, and usually their second. Pretty much everyone takes classes in order to pass, and they are not cheap. So if you do plan on living there, be prepared to start practicing soon to get ready for the test.

Answer 5

I think if you contact the DVLA who deals with driving licenses here, the USA is one of the countries where you're allowed to do a straight swap for a UK one.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/

For additional help on driving in the UK, check out:
http://www.2pass.co.uk
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/
http://www.bsm.co.uk
http://www.theaa.com/index.html
http://www.right-way.co.uk/motoring.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2004/10/08/ripley.xml
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/