So you're from the US and you want to drive in the UK. It's not as bad as it sounds and you will get used to driving on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road. It just takes a bit of practice and time.
If you are going to be in the UK for no more than 12 months after first arriving then don't get a UK DL. You won't need to. You are legally allowed to drive on your US DL for up to 12 months after arriving. If you plan on getting a car, there will be a few companies that will give you insurance though some will not. If you get a quote from Admiral ignore it, they only insure UK license holders... despite what the online quote gives you. If you plan on being and driving in the UK past the 12 month mark, then pay attention, you need to know how to go about getting one.
1. Go to the local DLVA office. You can find them for England, Scotland, and Wales. You pay a £50 fee for the provisional license. They will ask you for your current DL and your passport. The DVLA will take them but they will mail them back to you and they will return to the address you provide about the same time as your card arrives. If there isn't a local DVLA then you can go to the Post Office and ask them for an application for a provisional license. Fill out the form, submit your passport and you can mail it off. Just read the directions. Fortunately there was a DVLA office just half an hour away so I was able to head there. If you do end up having to submit your DL have no fear, you can still drive. If you get pulled over by the police you can show them your receipt (if you went into an office) or inform them that your DL is in the mail and they will probably inform you that you need to show up at the police station in X amount of time to show proof.
2. Once you have your provisional DL you will now need to take the Theory Test. This is nothing like the written test we all took ages ago. This test is £31 each time you have to take it so I suggest you study. There are several apps for the iPhone to help you in this endeavour. I downloaded the official DSA theory app as well as the AA's theory app as well as a few others that were free. There is computer software out there you can buy to help you pass but really, I think that these apps are just fine. Each of these apps has a study section to them. Learn them and then take the tests for each section. Once you have done this then take the mock tests. You will be given 50 questions to answer in 57 minutes. In your test you will have the option of going back and checking your answers. Feel free to apply for your exam at the earliest time and then study, study, study, study. You can't take the practice tests too many times. There is a second portion to the theory test and this is known as the hazard test. You will be given 14 clips with a hazard, one clip has 2. You must mark when the hazard starts. You will be given 0-5 points depending on when you spot the hazard. There are apps to help you with this portion of the test as well. You will be there for a couple of hours. As I said, it's not easy, so be prepared.
3. Once you've passed your theory I would advise that you sign up for some driving lessons. I know that you've been driving for ages and you've gotten a feel for being on the wrong side of the road but the UK driving test is £62 each time you take it and it isn't easy. It's hard, it's really hard A driving instructor will show you what you need to know in order to pass the exam. If you have never reversed into a side road, then it's probably best to hire someone who knows what is on the test and what you need to do, such as put the handbreak on whenever you come to a stop light. Not doing that could end up failing you. Once you and your instructor feel as if you're ready then go ahead and book your test. You will need your Theory pass certificate number so don't lose that piece of paper! You are allowed 16 faults on your driving exam. I passed mine with 13. Do note that you will be asked to sign your exam sheet stating you've been in the UK for at least 185 days. If you are a US citizen then you don't have to worry about that. Just let your examiner know that you haven't been and you don't have to have been in the UK for 185 days (6 months). He'll probably have to double check but all you should have to do is cross out the 185 days. Although, if you are from the EU then you would have to have been in the UK for 185 days... but then, if you're from the EU and have a DL issued from a country in the EU then you can just exchange your DL for a UK one.
It is important to make it clear that everyone in the UK drives a manual. In fact, they think Americans are pretty lame for having so many automatics and I can't argue. It is pretty lame. If you have never driven a stick before then a driving instructor will teach you. They have lots of practice with teaching people how to drive a manual so don't fret. They know what they're doing. You will have to find an instructor with an automatic if that's the path you really want. And if it is then do be aware that if you take your driving test in an automatic you will only be legally allowed to drive an automatic. But if you take your driving test in a manual, you can drive both. And do make note that not all instructors or companies are the same. I, personally, would go with the AA. They are the UK's version of AAA.
If you are going to be in the UK for no more than 12 months after first arriving then don't get a UK DL. You won't need to. You are legally allowed to drive on your US DL for up to 12 months after arriving. If you plan on getting a car, there will be a few companies that will give you insurance though some will not. If you get a quote from Admiral ignore it, they only insure UK license holders... despite what the online quote gives you. If you plan on being and driving in the UK past the 12 month mark, then pay attention, you need to know how to go about getting one.
1. Go to the local DLVA office. You can find them for England, Scotland, and Wales. You pay a £50 fee for the provisional license. They will ask you for your current DL and your passport. The DVLA will take them but they will mail them back to you and they will return to the address you provide about the same time as your card arrives. If there isn't a local DVLA then you can go to the Post Office and ask them for an application for a provisional license. Fill out the form, submit your passport and you can mail it off. Just read the directions. Fortunately there was a DVLA office just half an hour away so I was able to head there. If you do end up having to submit your DL have no fear, you can still drive. If you get pulled over by the police you can show them your receipt (if you went into an office) or inform them that your DL is in the mail and they will probably inform you that you need to show up at the police station in X amount of time to show proof.
2. Once you have your provisional DL you will now need to take the Theory Test. This is nothing like the written test we all took ages ago. This test is £31 each time you have to take it so I suggest you study. There are several apps for the iPhone to help you in this endeavour. I downloaded the official DSA theory app as well as the AA's theory app as well as a few others that were free. There is computer software out there you can buy to help you pass but really, I think that these apps are just fine. Each of these apps has a study section to them. Learn them and then take the tests for each section. Once you have done this then take the mock tests. You will be given 50 questions to answer in 57 minutes. In your test you will have the option of going back and checking your answers. Feel free to apply for your exam at the earliest time and then study, study, study, study. You can't take the practice tests too many times. There is a second portion to the theory test and this is known as the hazard test. You will be given 14 clips with a hazard, one clip has 2. You must mark when the hazard starts. You will be given 0-5 points depending on when you spot the hazard. There are apps to help you with this portion of the test as well. You will be there for a couple of hours. As I said, it's not easy, so be prepared.
3. Once you've passed your theory I would advise that you sign up for some driving lessons. I know that you've been driving for ages and you've gotten a feel for being on the wrong side of the road but the UK driving test is £62 each time you take it and it isn't easy. It's hard, it's really hard A driving instructor will show you what you need to know in order to pass the exam. If you have never reversed into a side road, then it's probably best to hire someone who knows what is on the test and what you need to do, such as put the handbreak on whenever you come to a stop light. Not doing that could end up failing you. Once you and your instructor feel as if you're ready then go ahead and book your test. You will need your Theory pass certificate number so don't lose that piece of paper! You are allowed 16 faults on your driving exam. I passed mine with 13. Do note that you will be asked to sign your exam sheet stating you've been in the UK for at least 185 days. If you are a US citizen then you don't have to worry about that. Just let your examiner know that you haven't been and you don't have to have been in the UK for 185 days (6 months). He'll probably have to double check but all you should have to do is cross out the 185 days. Although, if you are from the EU then you would have to have been in the UK for 185 days... but then, if you're from the EU and have a DL issued from a country in the EU then you can just exchange your DL for a UK one.
It is important to make it clear that everyone in the UK drives a manual. In fact, they think Americans are pretty lame for having so many automatics and I can't argue. It is pretty lame. If you have never driven a stick before then a driving instructor will teach you. They have lots of practice with teaching people how to drive a manual so don't fret. They know what they're doing. You will have to find an instructor with an automatic if that's the path you really want. And if it is then do be aware that if you take your driving test in an automatic you will only be legally allowed to drive an automatic. But if you take your driving test in a manual, you can drive both. And do make note that not all instructors or companies are the same. I, personally, would go with the AA. They are the UK's version of AAA.
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