Forum menu
My fiancee has been offered a job that's going to require driving to because of our different office locations. However, she's from the US and we're being bamboozled by the Direct.gov website's ambiguous use of terminology and would appreciate some advice from anyone who knows more about it please.
She has had a US license for 7 years, but we understand that it's not possible to exchange a US license for a British one. Fair enough.
However, on the Direct website it says this-
Applicants who are not UK citizens or citizens of another European Union or European Economic Area state (EU/EEA) will not be considered 'normally resident' for the purposes of a driving licence application if they:-do not have leave to remain in the UK
-are in the country on a temporary basis without leave to remain either while awaiting a decision on an application to stay in the UK or following a decision refusing such an application.
She's currently on a student visa which will switch to a spouse visa in September.
In border-agency speak "leave to remain" means you can stay indefinitely. Is that the case here? If so, do we have to wait until she has a spouse visa (after she's started the job) for her to go through the driving test business?
As an alternative can she purchase something like this and use it until she gets a UK license? (she's been in the UK for 4 years so can't use her own license, and I doubt she can use one of these too)
http://www.international-license.com/splashpage/
If anyone can help that'd be great- her job goes full time in September so it'd be nice to have her able to make her own way there by then. The train will take 1.5hrs which is obviously a lot and we're going to be relocating to somewhere without a train or bus link to her work so driving is the only real way out.
Thanks in advance.
They let women drive now? They'll be getting the vote next.
Sorry, no help at all here.
She can't vote for 5 years in this country, and is very upset about that too. Imagine living in a country where you have no choice over who governs you in the Western world.
And you never were very much help 😉
[i]Americans are legally allowed to drive in the U.K. for a period of up to twelve months on their U.S. driving license. The 12 month period commences upon the first day of your residency in the U.K. If you will be resident longer than 12 months, you will get to experience the joy of taking both a written (called theory in the UK) and driving (called practical in the UK). Additionally, you must apply for a provisional licence before taking either of these tests. The tests are typically spaced out, too. You cannot take both tests on the same day. See the driving requirements for non-EU citizens on the DVLA site to obtain full details[/i]
This is from a type your question into google and see what comes up site..... Dunno if it's OK.
Imagine living in a country (USA) where non-citizens can't vote either, the ****ing cheek.
I thought we had classed Americans as a Dangerous Invasive Species anyway?
Crikey- that sounds to be right doesn't it? It's basically what we already understand, but I missed it off my post so thanks or adding it.
But the advice on the government site says you can't get even a provisional until you have "leave to remain". Which implies permanent residency, which on her student visa she doesn't have. Which is where our question comes from really.
You're gonna have to marry her, you do know that?
She already knows it.
She's just waiting for you to get with the program.
It's not about the driving.... 😉
'leave to remain' doesn't mean she needs to be allowed to stay here permanently. if that was the case the DVLA would say she needs indefinite leave to remain.
it appears that she needs to be here 'legally' and not just as a temporary visitor, like on holiday.
maybe phone the DVLA (yeah, i know, i've tried this in the past and it ain't easy to get throught the maze of options....) or maybe just apply and see what happens?
Yes, she can drive no problem ...[u][b] but she can ONLY drive rental car.[/b] [/u]
If she has international license (1st year only) you can insure her on your insurance as second driver but you might need to pay £1k more for the insurance plus she can only drive for 60 days in a year ... plus she needs to pay (the insurance between £10 - £15) each time she drives during the 60 days of the year.
[b]
Best option is drive a rental car as all insurance related etc are covered and she can take Brit driving lessons until she gets her real Brit license.[/b]
So no need to even take a test etc ... just rent a car. The only problem is find a car that is cheap to rent. Plenty about.
Also the roads in the UK is meant for horse or bullock cart so can be very narrow compared to those highways in the state. Oh ya ... watch out for crazy roundabouts ...
p/s: I would advise her to take driving lessons before she even attempts to drive because of the narrow roads.
Also to rent an [b]Automatic gear car [/b]is slight more expensive as Brits are still slightly behind automatic gear cars ...
Crikey- wedding's in the autumn.
Winnie and chewkw- great stuff. We'll get it sorted then.
[i]wedding's in the autumn[/i]
I knew it! Problem solved then.
Well, when I say problem solved, I mean the driving thing. Your problems are like that big rock at the start of Indiana Jones and the thingy of something...
I thought it depended on the state that issued the licen[b]c[/b]e in the US, some have a higher requirement than others and can be exchanged for a UK licen[b]c[/b]e.
Probably best to look for some ex pat forums, last time I had to speak to the dvla on an issue that wasn't basic, I got lied to twice, untill the third person knew what the process was for my requirements.
I've known foreign students who drove, I think on uk licences.
you can apply for licence then theory\practical tests after 6 months in the uk as a student according to the above..
a few years ago, an american in chester got off the train, walked to the nearest car hire office,hired a brand new car,drove out of the car park, straight into a bus, he failed to note we drive on the correct side of the road,
As a foreign driving license holders you can ...
1. Drive in the 1st year only if your license is recognised by DVLA.
2. Drive in the 1st year using international license.
3. Drive a rental car.
4. Get very expensive insurance as a second driver which allow for a person to drive for 60 days in a year only. Even that each time you drive you have to pay. Bloody insurance ...
5. Driving yearly ... I think each time you leave the country and re-enter the country, if you are non-Brit, the clock starts counting again and you are allowed to drive for a year again with option 1 & 2.
I have someone who is doing option 3 at the moment because bloody insurance was going to bleed me dry with option 4 ... 🙁
project - Membera few years ago, an american in chester got off the train, walked to the nearest car hire office,hired a brand new car,drove out of the car park, straight into a bus, he failed to note we drive on the correct side of the road,
That's one reason why she needs to take driving lessons first even before attempting to drive ... unless she is driving a Sherman tank in that case no problem.
That sounds like the first time she rode a bike over here! Fortunately the bike has got her used to our roads. Sort of.
Chewky - that doesn't even sound remotely right.
let me look at Direct Lines on line underwriting guides tomorrow, but I am certain that you get 2 years on an international non EEC licence (excluding certain states) before you have to exchange it for a UK Provisional and pass a test.
Loads of people drive in the UK on cars they own with international licences. Well, they certainly crash, and I deal with their claims quite happily.
Jujuuk68 - let me look at Direct Lines on line underwriting guides tomorrow, but I am certain that you get 2 years on an international non EEC licence (excluding certain states) before you have to exchange it for a UK Provisional and pass a test.
I am insured with Swinton ... they are insurance broker of sort. I have found so many insurance companies refusing to even give me a quote for second driver (non-EU) and if they did the price would be bleedy expensive.
Yes, if you are staying here long term then the above is correct i.e. after one year (I am sure after one year) you need to switch to Brit license.
There is also something related to the country you get your license / international license from ... like number of road accidents/kills.
You can exchange for Brit license from certain commonwealth countries like Hong Kong ...
Jujuuk68, Loads of people drive in the UK on cars they own with international licences. Well, they certainly crash, and I deal with their claims quite happily.
That depends ... and like I say only for certain countries the driving license is recognised and can switch or exchange for UK license.
The other trick in the Far East is to buy a HK license come to UK and exchange for a UK license ... cost less than £200 ... apparently.
I am certain majority of non EU can only drive for one year ...
You do not need right to remain to get a license. Mrs TT came over on an intended spouse visa and started UK lessons almost straight away. She should start the UK lessons ASAP as she needs to not pick up any more bad habits so she can pass her test. Her insurance will only look at qualified UK time so her time driving on a US license counts for nothing. AFAIK she only has one year of grace on her US license anyway.
TooTall is right. One year on her US license (already past since she has been in the UK for 4 years) then she will have to take the UK test and apply for a UK license. So long as she has some sort of visa (is here legally) getting a UK license is no problem. We got ours after a year of being in the UK and found that insurance rates do drop considerably once you get a full UK license. It may not help, but we got a letter from our US insurer to vouch for our driving record.
I'd recommend lessons even if she has driven in the States. I failed my first test after 15 years of accident free driving in the States. They expect you to perform certain maneuvers that aren't common in the US.
They expect you to perform certain maneuvers that aren't common in the US.
Like 'driving on the other side of the road', 'roundabouts' and 'parallel parking' 😀
When looking for driving instructors, speak to them before booking up. It is hard to teach someone who hasn't got all the same reference points that we all take for granted and who has only driven in another country.
We were planning on getting a car, insuring her on it as main driver, I teach her the basics of using a manual and basic road stuff and then getting an instructor to do the road technique and manoeuvres.
Then plan on her not being your girlfriend! Seriously - teaching a loved one to drive is a stressful and difficult thing to do. Also - are you a driving instructor who won't teach her your own bad habits that will need un-learning so she can pass a test?
Just spend the money and get her proper driving lessons from the start. Your relationship will be stronger for it! Oh - I don't think you could insure her as main driver if she hasn't got a full license.
She has never driven a manual ?? That sounds fun... good luck with the wedding btw.
TT- Poppa C will be doing all the training 8)
We were thinking more along the lines of driving around a car park to get used to the clutch which was how I learned. No point paying someone for that.
TooTall is right
One year on your US licence
Then you need a UK licence.
You can get a provisional licence on a Student Visa.
We were thinking more along the lines of driving around a car park to get used to the clutch which was how I learned. No point paying someone for that.
I don't know why you think that takes time. I was driving on the public road within the first 30 min of my first driving lesson.
Just compare the cost of buying a car, insuring a learner driver and then thrashing the clutch etc around a car park against one or two extra lessons.
^ that.
at the end of my first lesson we spent about 10 mins with me 'catching' the car on a slope, using the clutch, which quickly got me used to feeling the bite point.
get a pro to teach her. what price happiness?
Never knew foreigners could drive a rental car when they have no viable license in the uk (i.e. after 1 year residence). Primarlily because I was under the impression that to drive on the roads you need a viable license and renting doesn't really avoid that does it? Otherwise you could just turn up from anywhere with any fake piece of paper and drive a rental car, which would be lethal.
I don't know why you think that takes time. I was driving on the public road within the first 30 min of my first driving lesson.
Just compare the cost of buying a car, insuring a learner driver and then thrashing the clutch etc around a car park against one or two extra lessons.
To me clutch control came pretty quickly - that is to say I drove the learner car away from my front door without much issue. Lessons cost a fortune these days, I was paying £12 an hour, last time I heard a friend was paying £35 per hour and had done 70 lessons :S
Get lessons with a GOOD instructor ASAP. I would not risk teacher her yourself, you will probably never get married! Teaching a loved one is very hard even for an instructor, which I presume you are not. Also no dual controls can really be a problem.
My husband is a very experienced and highly qualified instructor (grade 6 fleet), but sadly some instructors are just not that good and you will waste your money. Phone around, and do not pick a cheap deal. Ask about qualifications ('normal' instructor, or higher 'fleet driver' qualified) and check his grade (6 is highest, 5 good, 4 satisfactory). I would go no lower than a grade 5.
Make sure the instructor has experience with foreign drivers, especially from the US, as driving on the other side is not the main problem for American drivers (European drivers adjust to driving in Britain much easier as their roads are very similar). There will be a lot to learn, as driving in the uk is VERY different from the us and involves a lot more decision making.
Good luck!
Simone
Another alternative - go to an EU country that will swap a US licence for a local one - I think Belgium is one - and then swap Belgian licence for UK licence. Bit convoluted, I agree ...
Otherwise you could just turn up from anywhere with any fake piece of paper and drive a rental car, which would be lethal.
Huh? It's not a fake piece of paper, it's a US licence. it's basically a loophole - if you go to the US you've not passed a test on their road rules, but have a legitamate piece of paper which entitles you to drive. It's the same here, there's just no time limit.
+1 on the driving lessons straight off.