DJElectricDaddy

Not exactly moving back home, but I am visiting in a couple of weeks (passport permitting). I have booked a rental car - and am petrified for driving on the right side of the road again!!!

I went to AAA to ask about documentation I should bring and was told to get an International Driving Permit. They are $15 a person, so I’d need one for me and the Mrs. Never heard of these before. Are they a requirement, or a means for AAA to rack up a few extra bucks?

The .gov page on this matter is as vague as could be.

Sally Redux

You don't need one. It's only needed if your licence is not in English.

Pulaski

Like Sally R said, a complete waste of money if you're visiting the UK. I am going myself and certainly will not be buying a translation of my US license.

quiltman

As sally & Pulaski say - no problem with US licence. Have your passport with you as back up.
I use my UK licence in the States and all they have ever asked for is my passport - not even that the last couple of times. Maybe thats because I now have the picture licence - we used to just have paper ones so the passport did at least show you were the guy on the licence!

DJElectricDaddy

Thats amazing as technically they two very different types of identification. So in theory one could not be licensed to drive a vehicle yet still drive using a passport as ID. How do you get insurance, do they ask for a DL?

Thanks for the advice, I shan't waste my time or money and use my US license instead.

windsong

Surely if you stay in the UK, though, you have to get a UK license at some point - and how do you get one?

I had my lifetime UK license but it got lost in my recent move.

BritInParis

You can apply for a replacement from the DVLA as and when you make a permanent return.

windsong

Thank you. I was hoping I wouldn't have to take another driving test.

Sally Redux

You need to be licensed to drive a vehicle but the US one is OK.

PS I see you were answering quiltman about the US, so ignore that.

DJElectricDaddy

I shall, I did, I was, and I won’t. Not necessarily in that order

mikelincs

Please do not drive on the right side of the road in the UK, everyone else will be going in the opposite direction.. ohhh.. you meant the CORRECT side of the road, which here is the LEFT..

DJElectricDaddy

haha

lansbury

Last year was the first time back in 7 years, and I had some concern about the changing of sides. Not a problem jumped in the car and drove off, it was like I had never been away.

helendha

Technically you can drive on your US licence for 12 months. However, I got oan International licence for my hubby (thankfully I still have my valid UK licence) because one of my best buddies is a cop in the UK and as he says, if he pulls someone over and they have a Texas licence he has no clue whether it's legitimate or not. If he sees an international licence then at least he know what he's looking at. We figured for $15 it was worth the peace of mind.

Bahtatboy

Except its not valid. As soon as you get a valid driving licence and live in another country, your UK licence is invalid. So says DVLA.