sparkler

I can drive and would like to know if I will have to go through driving lessons/Test when I get to the US. Can I just show my British licence to get an American one? If I have to take driving lessons, can anyone tell me roughly how long the lessons are and how much they cost?

Thank you

sparkler

Manc

depends on the state, as far as I know only Washington DC has a reciprical deal to just exchange licenses.

You'll not need any lessons in oder to pass your test over here though. I think the only criteria for failing is either having a head on collision or turning up rat-arsed.

Ash UK/US

For 6 hours of driving lesson (3 two hour sessions) I paid $310 then $45 on top for the test.

Ash

Bob

All depends on which State you end up in, check out the DMV, can't remember the site, but shouldn't be hard to find...

James Box

The worst part about getting a license in Indiana is that you have to drive around for 60 days with a learner's permit and a licensed driver

Other states' policies vary greatly.

Ray

http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Motor_Vehicles.shtml

Bob

I knew someone would stump for the link

dbj1000

I so regret not taking lessons to drive in Texas.

"Now here's your turn indicator... you won't be needing this unless you want to tell people in the other lanes to speed up and close any gaps you may be about to pull into."

"No, no... your left elbow needs to be further out the window, and please look more at your cellphone, and less at the road when you're talking... we can't have you dialling a wrong number!"

"Mirrors... what good is that big mirror on the windscreen if your wife can't see herself in it to do her mascara?"

And as for the test itself...

When I asked the lady testing me whether I should use my indicators to signal when I moved out to pass parked cars she thought for a while and replied "you're probably s'pposed to, but it would confuse the other drivers here".

You get the picture

Dan725

Jeez you must either be mad :scared: or couldn't drive in the UK

Dan725

My own driving test in Florida was a laughable experience. I basically drove myself there in my own car (soon after arriving and legal on my UK licence) - if I'd have failed, I'd have said "See you next week" and drove home again! I think you'd really have to try hard to fail

britchicknyc

Yep here in NY state the test was a complete joke. Never got out of 2nd gear the whole test! (Ok maybe once....) My husband told me the test would be easy, so we re-set the trip switch and the whole test was less than one mile of driving. One of the questions on the written test was:

You have been out with your friends and had a few drinks. To get home should you:

a) have a shower
b) drink some coffee
c) drive home, being careful
d) ask a friend who has had no drinks for a ride.

As you can see, you barely need to be a genius in this country......

whistlestop01

I have just taken the writte test myself and one question was What should you do if it snows? The multiple choice answers were: 1., Increase your speed. 2., Get close up to the car in front. 3., Decrease your speed and keep a good distance from the car in front. 4., I can't remember the fourth.

Got my road test on 27 September.

In Massachusetts you have to take the written/road test unfortunately. You do have one year from entering the US to take it though which is good but my car insurance company (insured thru my husband) said I have till November (8 months after entering) to take my test otherwise they won't insure me anymore.

austin_d_powers

Got my licence in Tennessee.
Got drivers booklet from drivers licence center and studied it.
Went to drivers licence center at lunch time without an appointment - took multiple choice exam, then took driving test.
Got photo taken and licence made in less than ten minutes.

The tester noticed that my car was reverse parked in the parking space and asked me if I had driven the car down myself. (I reverse parked so that I could just pull straight out for my test)

The test was on back roads next to the center with no other traffic, no traffic lights, no lane markings (single lane roads) and only a few stop signs. (tested for stop at stop sign, signal left/right, turn left/right).

The only question I asked was if I had to stop at the stop sign or at the junction past the stop sign, as the first stop sign in the parking lot was about 20 feet before the junction (she said stop at the sign then move to the junction and stop again).

When we returned to the parking lot the tester asked me to reverse park the car as she had first seen it (I guess they don't get any first timers reverse parking).

NO testing for: emergency stop, reversing, parrallel parking, 3 point turn, overtaking, lane changes, reversing round a bend uphill, traffic lights, different speed limits, etc (All of which I had to do in the UK test)

Bob

scarey innit...I love how you learn and do a test in an automatic, yet are allowed to drive a manual...
saw someone test one for a test drive and stalled pulling out of the place and then twice more in front of me, and then again at the lights, at which point, she got out and got in the back *l*

Ash UK/US

I didn't drive in the UK... I didn't really need to... however here it is a different story a driving license is a must unless you plan on being a hermit.

When I called around about taking lessons most said they would not teach adults and of the few that did the one I went with was the cheapest... now that is scarey :scared:

Ash