Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Jan 27th 2003 | 4:28 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
and she is not sure if she can get it.
I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
for two years?
Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
and she is not sure if she can get it.
I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
for two years?
Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
Jan 27th 2003 | 4:37 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
le 27 Jan 2003 09:28:56 -0800, dans l'article , Paul a dit ...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
Lie.
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
Lie.
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
Jan 27th 2003 | 4:58 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
On Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:37:32 GMT, Desmond Coughlan wrote
> le 27 Jan 2003 09:28:56 -0800, dans l'article
> , Paul
> a dit ...
-snip-
>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
>> licence?
> Lie.
Yeah, right......really sound move!
On the face of it, it does look as if she's got a two-year problem, but
I'd ring the DVLA and see if there's some sort of statutory declaration
(made in front of a notary public) as to one's identity which ccan
replace the list of authorised people.
(I had a similar problem when I moved here many years ago and had to
renew my Canadian passport: they didn't tell you on the form, but
there was a way of making a declaration that they accepted.)
I'd be surprised if there's no way to do it -- it can't be the first
time they've faced this problem.
--
Cheers,
Harvey
For e-mail, harvey becomes whhvs.
> le 27 Jan 2003 09:28:56 -0800, dans l'article
> , Paul
> a dit ...
-snip-
>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
>> licence?
> Lie.
Yeah, right......really sound move!
On the face of it, it does look as if she's got a two-year problem, but
I'd ring the DVLA and see if there's some sort of statutory declaration
(made in front of a notary public) as to one's identity which ccan
replace the list of authorised people.
(I had a similar problem when I moved here many years ago and had to
renew my Canadian passport: they didn't tell you on the form, but
there was a way of making a declaration that they accepted.)
I'd be surprised if there's no way to do it -- it can't be the first
time they've faced this problem.
--
Cheers,
Harvey
For e-mail, harvey becomes whhvs.
Jan 27th 2003 | 5:13 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:58:50 GMT, dans l'article , Harvey V a dit ...
>>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
>>> licence?
>> Lie.
> Yeah, right......really sound move!
Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
{ snip }
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
>>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
>>> licence?
>> Lie.
> Yeah, right......really sound move!
Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
{ snip }
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
Jan 27th 2003 | 5:56 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Paul schrieb:
>
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years.
That's because there is no ID system in the UK, so the only way to prove
who you are is to find someone to vouch for you. However, she is in
possession of a US passport, isn't this sufficient proof of identity?
This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
I can't vouch for the regulations in the UK regarding US licences,
however I can relate the following story.
My wife learnt to drive in Spain, and held a Spanish licence. After a
road accident, she stopped driving for some years. On return home, she
didn't immediately bother about getting a new licence within the time
limit, with the result she had to take lessons and a driving test all
over again.
Tom
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
>
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years.
That's because there is no ID system in the UK, so the only way to prove
who you are is to find someone to vouch for you. However, she is in
possession of a US passport, isn't this sufficient proof of identity?
This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
I can't vouch for the regulations in the UK regarding US licences,
however I can relate the following story.
My wife learnt to drive in Spain, and held a Spanish licence. After a
road accident, she stopped driving for some years. On return home, she
didn't immediately bother about getting a new licence within the time
limit, with the result she had to take lessons and a driving test all
over again.
Tom
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
Jan 27th 2003 | 8:08 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
"Paul" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I am pretty certain that your wife will have to take a full UK driving test,
theory and practical. Only EU licences and from certain other countries (but
not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
As for countersigning the application form for foreign nationals less than 2
years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater for this eventuality. Find out your
nearest DVLA office (address from DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk) and your
wife should present her application, with required document like her US
passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she will be
charged £4 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, where they also
offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to send their
documents by post.
Alec
news:[email protected]...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I am pretty certain that your wife will have to take a full UK driving test,
theory and practical. Only EU licences and from certain other countries (but
not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
As for countersigning the application form for foreign nationals less than 2
years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater for this eventuality. Find out your
nearest DVLA office (address from DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk) and your
wife should present her application, with required document like her US
passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she will be
charged £4 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, where they also
offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to send their
documents by post.
Alec
Jan 27th 2003 | 8:24 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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"Alec" wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
>=20
> "Paul" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> > marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> > licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> > one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> > and she is not sure if she can get it.
> >
> > I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> > Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> > get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> > has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she =
has
> > been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> > for two years?
> >
> > Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional =
licence?
> > Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> I am pretty certain that your wife will have to take a full UK driving =
test,
> theory and practical. Only EU licences and from certain other =
countries (but
> not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
> As for countersigning the application form for foreign nationals less =
than 2
> years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater for this eventuality. Find =
out your
> nearest DVLA office (address from DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk) and =
your
> wife should present her application, with required document like her =
US
> passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she =
will be
> charged =A34 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, where =
they also
> offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to send their
> documents by post.
>=20
Licences from the following countries only can be exchanged for a UK one =
without tests:
Australia =20
=20
Austria =20
=20
Barbados =20
=20
Belgium =20
=20
British Virgin Islands =20
=20
Canada =20
=20
Cyprus =20
=20
Denmark =20
=20
Finland =20
=20
France =20
=20
Germany =20
=20
Gibraltar =20
=20
Greece =20
=20
Guernsey =20
=20
Hong Kong =20
=20
Iceland =20
=20
Ireland =20
=20
Isle of Man =20
=20
Italy =20
=20
Japan =20
=20
Jersey =20
=20
Liechtenstein =20
=20
Luxembourg =20
=20
Malta =20
=20
Monaco =20
=20
Netherlands =20
=20
New Zealand =20
=20
Norway =20
=20
Portugal =20
=20
Republic of Korea =20
=20
Singapore =20
=20
South Africa =20
=20
Spain =20
=20
Sweden =20
=20
Switzerland =20
=20
Zimbabwe
Alec
=20
=20
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charset="iso-8859-1"
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ÂÂ
"Alec" <[email protected]> wrote=20
in message news:[email protected]...
> > "Paul" <[email protected]> wrote in=20
message> news:[email protected]...> > My wife (who is American) has now =
settled in=20
the UK and received her> > marriage visa. She would like to =
drive here=20
but does not have a UK> > licence. I was told she could =
exchange her=20
American licence for a UK> > one. However, her American =
licence has=20
expired plus it is in America> > and she is not sure if she =
can get=20
it.> >> > I was looking at applying for a =
provisional UK=20
licence for her.> > Because she has an American passport I =
understand=20
that she needs to> > get the photo for the photocard signed by =
someone=20
in the UK who she> > has known for at least two years. This is =
not=20
possible because she has> > been here for less than a year. =
Does this=20
mean that she can't drive> > for two years?> =
>> >=20
Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional =
licence?>=20
> Any information you can provide would be greatly =
appreciated.>=20
>> >> I am pretty certain that your wife will have =
to take a=20
full UK driving test,> theory and practical. Only EU licences and =
from=20
certain other countries (but> not US) can be exchanged for a UK =
licence=20
without a test.> As for countersigning the application form for =
foreign=20
nationals less than 2> years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater =
for this=20
eventuality. Find out your> nearest DVLA office (address from =
DVLA=20
website www.dvla.gov.uk) and =
your> wife=20
should present her application, with required document like her =
US>=20
passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she will=20
be> charged =A34 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, =
where they=20
also> offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to =
send=20
their> documents by post.> >
Licences from the following countries =
only can be=20
exchanged for a UK one without tests:
ÂÂ
Australia
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Austria
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Barbados
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Belgium
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
British Virgin =
Islands
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Canada
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Cyprus
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Denmark
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Finland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
France
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Germany
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Gibraltar
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Greece
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Guernsey
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Hong Kong
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Iceland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Ireland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Isle of Man
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Italy
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Japan
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Jersey
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Liechtenstein
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Luxembourg
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Malta
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Monaco
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Netherlands
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
New Zealand
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Norway
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Portugal
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Republic of =
Korea
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Singapore
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
South Africa
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Spain
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Sweden
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Switzerland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Zimbabwe
Alec
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
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Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
"Alec" wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
>=20
> "Paul" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> > marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> > licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> > one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> > and she is not sure if she can get it.
> >
> > I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> > Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> > get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> > has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she =
has
> > been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> > for two years?
> >
> > Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional =
licence?
> > Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> I am pretty certain that your wife will have to take a full UK driving =
test,
> theory and practical. Only EU licences and from certain other =
countries (but
> not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
> As for countersigning the application form for foreign nationals less =
than 2
> years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater for this eventuality. Find =
out your
> nearest DVLA office (address from DVLA website www.dvla.gov.uk) and =
your
> wife should present her application, with required document like her =
US
> passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she =
will be
> charged =A34 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, where =
they also
> offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to send their
> documents by post.
>=20
Licences from the following countries only can be exchanged for a UK one =
without tests:
Australia =20
=20
Austria =20
=20
Barbados =20
=20
Belgium =20
=20
British Virgin Islands =20
=20
Canada =20
=20
Cyprus =20
=20
Denmark =20
=20
Finland =20
=20
France =20
=20
Germany =20
=20
Gibraltar =20
=20
Greece =20
=20
Guernsey =20
=20
Hong Kong =20
=20
Iceland =20
=20
Ireland =20
=20
Isle of Man =20
=20
Italy =20
=20
Japan =20
=20
Jersey =20
=20
Liechtenstein =20
=20
Luxembourg =20
=20
Malta =20
=20
Monaco =20
=20
Netherlands =20
=20
New Zealand =20
=20
Norway =20
=20
Portugal =20
=20
Republic of Korea =20
=20
Singapore =20
=20
South Africa =20
=20
Spain =20
=20
Sweden =20
=20
Switzerland =20
=20
Zimbabwe
Alec
=20
=20
------=_NextPart_000_0023_01C2C64A.89DC2220
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
ÂÂ
"Alec" <[email protected]> wrote=20
in message news:[email protected]...
> > "Paul" <[email protected]> wrote in=20
message> news:[email protected]...> > My wife (who is American) has now =
settled in=20
the UK and received her> > marriage visa. She would like to =
drive here=20
but does not have a UK> > licence. I was told she could =
exchange her=20
American licence for a UK> > one. However, her American =
licence has=20
expired plus it is in America> > and she is not sure if she =
can get=20
it.> >> > I was looking at applying for a =
provisional UK=20
licence for her.> > Because she has an American passport I =
understand=20
that she needs to> > get the photo for the photocard signed by =
someone=20
in the UK who she> > has known for at least two years. This is =
not=20
possible because she has> > been here for less than a year. =
Does this=20
mean that she can't drive> > for two years?> =
>> >=20
Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional =
licence?>=20
> Any information you can provide would be greatly =
appreciated.>=20
>> >> I am pretty certain that your wife will have =
to take a=20
full UK driving test,> theory and practical. Only EU licences and =
from=20
certain other countries (but> not US) can be exchanged for a UK =
licence=20
without a test.> As for countersigning the application form for =
foreign=20
nationals less than 2> years in UK, the DVLA specifically cater =
for this=20
eventuality. Find out your> nearest DVLA office (address from =
DVLA=20
website www.dvla.gov.uk) and =
your> wife=20
should present her application, with required document like her =
US>=20
passport, in person. For this premium service, as it's called, she will=20
be> charged =A34 extra. You can't get this done at post offices, =
where they=20
also> offer premium service for UK residents who prefer not to =
send=20
their> documents by post.> >
Licences from the following countries =
only can be=20
exchanged for a UK one without tests:
ÂÂ
Australia
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Austria
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Barbados
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Belgium
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
British Virgin =
Islands
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Canada
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Cyprus
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Denmark
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Finland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
France
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Germany
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Gibraltar
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Greece
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Guernsey
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Hong Kong
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Iceland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Ireland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Isle of Man
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Italy
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Japan
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Jersey
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Liechtenstein
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Luxembourg
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Malta
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Monaco
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Netherlands
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
New Zealand
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Norway
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Portugal
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Republic of =
Korea
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Singapore
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
South Africa
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Spain
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Sweden
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Switzerland
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
Zimbabwe
Alec
ÂÂ
ÂÂ
------=_NextPart_000_0023_01C2C64A.89DC2220--
Jan 27th 2003 | 11:37 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
[email protected] (Paul) wrote in message news:...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
Paul,
If I recall correctly, there was a front page article in the Wall
Street Journal (US Edition) within the last two months about Americans
trying to get driver's licenses in the UK. The article stressed how
difficult the driving test could be and the fact that many American
ex-pats just drive on their US license and hope not to get caught.
The article was rather interesting...if you have an easy way of
finding it, I'd recommend that you give it a look.
Good luck!
Jim
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
Paul,
If I recall correctly, there was a front page article in the Wall
Street Journal (US Edition) within the last two months about Americans
trying to get driver's licenses in the UK. The article stressed how
difficult the driving test could be and the fact that many American
ex-pats just drive on their US license and hope not to get caught.
The article was rather interesting...if you have an easy way of
finding it, I'd recommend that you give it a look.
Good luck!
Jim
Jan 27th 2003 | 11:43 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Desmond Coughlan wrote:
>
> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
>
> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
>
So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
>
> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
>
> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
>
So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
Jan 27th 2003 | 1:14 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 19:43:51 -0500, dans l'article , S Viemeister a dit ...
>> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
>> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
>> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
>> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
>> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
>> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
>>
>> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
> So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
Depends on what you mean by 'prove'. She didn't have to obtain a signed
certificate from anyone, stating that she was living in the UK. I suppose
that the very fact that the licence was being delivered to a UK address,
was enough for DVLC.
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
>> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
>> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
>> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
>> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
>> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
>> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
>>
>> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
> So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
Depends on what you mean by 'prove'. She didn't have to obtain a signed
certificate from anyone, stating that she was living in the UK. I suppose
that the very fact that the licence was being delivered to a UK address,
was enough for DVLC.
--
Desmond Coughlan
desmond @ zeouane.org
http: // www . zeouane . org
Jan 27th 2003 | 5:06 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Alec wrote:
> Only EU licences and from certain other countries (but
> not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
> Licences from the following countries only can be exchanged for a UK one
> without tests:
>
> Australia
>
> Austria
>
> Barbados
>
> Belgium
>
> British Virgin Islands
>
> Canada
>
> Cyprus
>
> Denmark
>
> Finland
>
> France
>
> Germany
>
> Gibraltar
>
> Greece
>
> Guernsey
>
> Hong Kong
>
> Iceland
>
> Ireland
>
> Isle of Man
>
> Italy
>
> Japan
>
> Jersey
>
> Liechtenstein
>
> Luxembourg
>
> Malta
>
> Monaco
>
> Netherlands
>
> New Zealand
>
> Norway
>
> Portugal
>
> Republic of Korea
>
> Singapore
>
> South Africa
>
> Spain
>
> Sweden
>
> Switzerland
>
> Zimbabwe
Is this because of some sort of sour-grapes 'reciprocity' dispute,
perhaps? This list looks like Europe and Commonwealth, plus (other)
left-side driving countries.
cheers,
Henry
> Only EU licences and from certain other countries (but
> not US) can be exchanged for a UK licence without a test.
> Licences from the following countries only can be exchanged for a UK one
> without tests:
>
> Australia
>
> Austria
>
> Barbados
>
> Belgium
>
> British Virgin Islands
>
> Canada
>
> Cyprus
>
> Denmark
>
> Finland
>
> France
>
> Germany
>
> Gibraltar
>
> Greece
>
> Guernsey
>
> Hong Kong
>
> Iceland
>
> Ireland
>
> Isle of Man
>
> Italy
>
> Japan
>
> Jersey
>
> Liechtenstein
>
> Luxembourg
>
> Malta
>
> Monaco
>
> Netherlands
>
> New Zealand
>
> Norway
>
> Portugal
>
> Republic of Korea
>
> Singapore
>
> South Africa
>
> Spain
>
> Sweden
>
> Switzerland
>
> Zimbabwe
Is this because of some sort of sour-grapes 'reciprocity' dispute,
perhaps? This list looks like Europe and Commonwealth, plus (other)
left-side driving countries.
cheers,
Henry
Jan 27th 2003 | 9:53 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Desmond Coughlan wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:58:50 GMT, dans l'article
, Harvey V
a dit ...
> >>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
> >>> licence?
> >> Lie.
> > Yeah, right......really sound move!
> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
There is no requirement to change your licence for a French one - a driving
licence from any EC country is valid in any other country indefinatly.
news:[email protected]...
> le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:58:50 GMT, dans l'article
, Harvey V
a dit ...
> >>> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional
> >>> licence?
> >> Lie.
> > Yeah, right......really sound move!
> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
There is no requirement to change your licence for a French one - a driving
licence from any EC country is valid in any other country indefinatly.
Jan 28th 2003 | 12:35 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
"John Stolz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Desmond Coughlan wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:58:50 GMT, dans l'article
> , Harvey V
> a dit ...
> >
> There is no requirement to change your licence for a French one - a
driving
> licence from any EC country is valid in any other country indefinatly.
Yes, this is a recent change in EU regulation. Previously you were obliged
to exchange your licence with a local one after 12 months.
Alec
news:[email protected]...
> Desmond Coughlan wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 17:58:50 GMT, dans l'article
> , Harvey V
> a dit ...
> >
> There is no requirement to change your licence for a French one - a
driving
> licence from any EC country is valid in any other country indefinatly.
Yes, this is a recent change in EU regulation. Previously you were obliged
to exchange your licence with a local one after 12 months.
Alec
Jan 28th 2003 | 1:16 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
My understanding, which is not entirely certain, is that your wife
could drive on her US licence (if she had a valid one) for one year
from entering the country, and would have to pass the test within a
year. (I am unsure as to whether this route would exempt her from the
written test.)
The immediate solution would appear, if possible, for your wife to get
her US licence renewed in the States. This may (or may not) help with
the ID issue.
My US wife didn't drive for the first year here, and consequently had
to start from scratch. We learnt the following:-
1. Especially if you are in London, just get an automatic car and
licence. Your wife simply does not need to deal with manual
transmission on top of everything else.
2. The written test was a challenge, partly due to bizarre questions,
"what do you do if you approach a roundabout and see a man with a red
armband walking a horse counterclockwise?" and partly due to
terminolgy - we ended up with a conversion chart for the types of
headlight beams. (Not helped by my Australian terminology varying
from both the English and US.)
3. BSM does a CD Rom of sample questions for the written exam. If
your wife has to take it, she should spend the best part of a weekend
churning through the questions. Joy.
4. Remember it takes ages to book both tests, and if you have to take
a written test, you can't book the practical until after you have
passed the written. Even if you pass both tests first time and do
them asap, we are talking a matter of several months, at least in
London.
5. Lessons from a newly minted husband can be a marriage deal
breaker. Consider paying a third party if lessons are necessary.
6. BSM lessons were great - my wife switched to them after the AA
instructor had her take her hands off the steering wheel so that he
could reach across and steer one handed down a busy road.
7. Automatic lessons are thin on the ground, but possible with BSM.
7. My wife's first practical test was somewhere godawful in outer
east London (because they had a last minute vacancy), which resembled
more of an urban assault course than a driving test. Her second
(successful) test was in a rather more sedate area around Mill Hill.
With kind regards
Zany B. Side
______________________
www.londonside.com
[email protected] (Paul) wrote in message news:...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
could drive on her US licence (if she had a valid one) for one year
from entering the country, and would have to pass the test within a
year. (I am unsure as to whether this route would exempt her from the
written test.)
The immediate solution would appear, if possible, for your wife to get
her US licence renewed in the States. This may (or may not) help with
the ID issue.
My US wife didn't drive for the first year here, and consequently had
to start from scratch. We learnt the following:-
1. Especially if you are in London, just get an automatic car and
licence. Your wife simply does not need to deal with manual
transmission on top of everything else.
2. The written test was a challenge, partly due to bizarre questions,
"what do you do if you approach a roundabout and see a man with a red
armband walking a horse counterclockwise?" and partly due to
terminolgy - we ended up with a conversion chart for the types of
headlight beams. (Not helped by my Australian terminology varying
from both the English and US.)
3. BSM does a CD Rom of sample questions for the written exam. If
your wife has to take it, she should spend the best part of a weekend
churning through the questions. Joy.
4. Remember it takes ages to book both tests, and if you have to take
a written test, you can't book the practical until after you have
passed the written. Even if you pass both tests first time and do
them asap, we are talking a matter of several months, at least in
London.
5. Lessons from a newly minted husband can be a marriage deal
breaker. Consider paying a third party if lessons are necessary.
6. BSM lessons were great - my wife switched to them after the AA
instructor had her take her hands off the steering wheel so that he
could reach across and steer one handed down a busy road.
7. Automatic lessons are thin on the ground, but possible with BSM.
7. My wife's first practical test was somewhere godawful in outer
east London (because they had a last minute vacancy), which resembled
more of an urban assault course than a driving test. Her second
(successful) test was in a rather more sedate area around Mill Hill.
With kind regards
Zany B. Side
______________________
www.londonside.com
[email protected] (Paul) wrote in message news:...
> My wife (who is American) has now settled in the UK and received her
> marriage visa. She would like to drive here but does not have a UK
> licence. I was told she could exchange her American licence for a UK
> one. However, her American licence has expired plus it is in America
> and she is not sure if she can get it.
>
> I was looking at applying for a provisional UK licence for her.
> Because she has an American passport I understand that she needs to
> get the photo for the photocard signed by someone in the UK who she
> has known for at least two years. This is not possible because she has
> been here for less than a year. Does this mean that she can't drive
> for two years?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on how can she get a provisional licence?
> Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
Jan 28th 2003 | 5:49 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Obtaining a provisional licence for my American wife
Desmond Coughlan wrote:
>
> le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 19:43:51 -0500, dans l'article , S Viemeister a dit ...
>
> >> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> >> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> >> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> >> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> >> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> >> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
> >>
> >> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
>
> > So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
>
> Depends on what you mean by 'prove'. She didn't have to obtain a signed
> certificate from anyone, stating that she was living in the UK. I suppose
> that the very fact that the licence was being delivered to a UK address,
> was enough for DVLC.
>
Thank you.
>
> le Mon, 27 Jan 2003 19:43:51 -0500, dans l'article , S Viemeister a dit ...
>
> >> Here in France, a learner driver has to take a minimum of (IIRC) 21 hours
> >> tuition. There is no such requirement in the UK. So when my wife decided
> >> to take her driving test in 1999, we applied for a UK provisional, using
> >> the address of a friend, and then took a two-week holiday over there,
> >> during which I hired a dual-control car, and taught her to drive. We then
> >> came back to France, and she changed her UK licence for a French one.
> >>
> >> Of course, if DVLC are reading this, the above never happened ...
>
> > So there's no requirement to _prove_ legal residence?
>
> Depends on what you mean by 'prove'. She didn't have to obtain a signed
> certificate from anyone, stating that she was living in the UK. I suppose
> that the very fact that the licence was being delivered to a UK address,
> was enough for DVLC.
>
Thank you.
