rincewind

But if you don't show them your UK license, how can you prove you've ever driven??

I may be wrong, but in Georgia, if I claimed I hadn't driven before, you have to have a learners permit and then prove you've driven for a set amount of hours.

But what do you need your UK for anyway once you get a US license? No good to me here so let it collect dust in their files rather than my wallet.

bored-silly

My instructor was more intersted in whether I thought Princess Diana had been murdered or was it a terrible accient? I passed needless to say.

woodsey

how bizarre, mine also asked loads of questions about Princess Di, they still love her over here. My MIL was once in a taxi in New York just after she had died, he went into some long speech about how sorry he was etc etc, she stopped him mid sentence and said "look you're talking to someone who doesn't give a shit" he threw her out the taxi!!

Perfumdiva1

I did it for 2 years..........

No problema

elfman

Perhaps driving instructors outside Britain collectively have a thing about Princess Di? When I lived in Uganda I regularly used to see cars from the "Princess Diana Memorial Driving School" in Kampala. Always thought that was a tad innappropriate (but funny).

Perfumdiva1

Actually, it wasnt 2 years, it was 3years, and we were insured the whole time

And I was most pissed off that i had to take a test again

As far as Ii know, the Americans didnt have to take a test in the UK

Could be wrong, and no doubt, someone shall correct me if I am wrong.......

PD

fatbrit

They've gotta year, then they have to take it.

Bob

It's all about when your considered a resident.
Maine, you are allowed 12 months before you get one...and they never asked about the british license, treated me as someone who doesn't have a license, all be it, letting it slide that I drove to the test centre on my own

There's a good thread of driving stories called "Driving loser"...

Perfumdiva1

Knew someone would be on the ball LOL

PD

Bob

Use to be the case....but now they have to take the test...don't know when it changed though....but for some reason, a Japanese license can be changed for a UK one...don't know why, but quite a few of my mothers friends did it...

Lottie

Pennsylvania is 1 year, as long as you have your international driver's license to go along with your British license. An international driver's license can be picked up from your local UK post office before you leave for a massive 4 GBP..no test!

Perfumdiva1

To be honest, I think I should have taken my test within the first 3-6 months, but put the insurance companies off, with various reasons

My husband eventually went for his test 6-9 months after we landed, and the ironic thing was, on the way home from the test, which he had passed, he was stopped for speeding, and he showed is UK licence, and the officer, said, too much trouble dealing with those, and let him off, thank God

We have been lucky, but it totally pisses me off, having to sit a test again, when I took my original one when I was 17

Yeah Yeah, I know we are on the other side of the road, but it is just the principle, didnt want to go through that nerve wracking experience twice in a lifetime LOL

Dont do well under pressure

PD

Eskimo

Its offically 10 days after residency in Califonia - its on the DMV website - no one cares though ! we did after one month

fatbrit

Japan's an exception. Details here.

Yanks get one year and that's their lot!

Bob

It's a permit, not a license...and can get one from the AA online too
Needed one myself because my license is still an old paper one...