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US driving licence in the UK?

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edd
Nearly there...



Joined: 06 Jul 2005
Karma :
PostPosted: 15:34 - 04 Feb 2007    Post subject: US driving licence in the UK? Reply with quote
How difficult is it to get an american licence changed for a UK one? My friend has come over for 3 years to study in the UK and would like to get a licence here (automatic obviously). Will he have to take a UK test, or is there any way the DSA will give him a UK automatic licence? Thumbs Up
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Edicap
Spanner Monkey



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 17:56 - 04 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
This is from the DVLA's website and should answer all you questions Thumbs Up

Quote:
Visitors
You may drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to eight passenger seats, provided your full licence or driving permit remains valid for up to 12 months from the date of coming to GB. However, you may only drive large vehicles which have been registered outside GB and which you have driven into the country.

Residents
If you are the holder of an ordinary driving licence (car, moped, motorcycle entitlement) and provided your licence remains valid, you can drive any category of small vehicle shown on your licence for up to 12 months from the time you became resident. To ensure continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have been obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12-month period elapses. If you obtain a provisional licence during this period, you are not subject to provisional licence conditions eg displaying 'L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or being precluded from motorways.

However, if you do not pass a test within the 12-month concessionary period you will not be allowed to drive as a full licence holder and provisional licence conditions will apply. If you do not apply for a provisional licence within the first 12 months you must stop driving and obtain a British provisional licence with a view to passing a driving test. Provisional licence conditions will then apply.

If you are the holder of a vocational licence (minibus, bus, lorry entitlement) and a new resident, you must not drive large vehicles until you have passed the relevant GB driving test. Driving test candidates are required to pass a motor car (category B) test first before applying for provisional entitlement for larger vehicles.

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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:12 - 04 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022562

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022559

You can swap a licence from certain countries for a UK licence. A US licence does not seem to be in the list, so they would probably have to do their test again within a year of coming here.

All the best

Keith
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bikerchick101
Two Stroke Sniffer



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:16 - 04 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yikes, I wouldn't want to re-take any drivers test at this point! It may be a miracle that I passed the first time around Smile
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ZRX61
Victor Meldrew



Joined: 05 Nov 2003
Karma :
PostPosted: 05:58 - 05 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kickstart wrote:
A US licence does not seem to be in the list, so they would probably have to do their test again within a year of coming here.

So take a day trip to France & the "12 months" starts over again. This isn't rocket science.... Wink
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carvell
Scuttler



Joined: 05 Sep 2003
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PostPosted: 13:23 - 05 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
The "date of coming here" will be on your Visa. The 12 months will be from the start date of the Visa, sadly. Wink
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Mary Jane
Traffic Copper



Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Karma :
PostPosted: 19:57 - 06 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, I've looked into this as I'm moving to the UK in a month.

You can drive on it, as has previously been pointed out for 12 months, during which time they would need to take the tests again. However, you'll find that insurance coverage for a person with a US license is double what it would be with a UK license, so it would be in their best interest not to dick around for 12 months, but to go get the UK license as soon as they can.
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Teaman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Karma :
PostPosted: 23:20 - 06 Feb 2007    Post subject: Reply with quote
Americans cant drive, he will have to take a propper test with cars that work on the correct side of the road
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