Help! using US driving licence in UK?

maninthestreet

mark5 wrote: »

I agree with this, there was a case like this on one of the police traffic shows a few years back.

Indeed - seen this more than once on the TV - the police told the hapless drivers involved that once they had a UK Provisional licence, it superceded their foreign licence, and they had to abide by the conditions of the provisional licence. The drivers concerned had their cars seized as a result, and faced hefty fine plus 6 points.

colino

Whoa! Its OK for opinion and what you think you see on TV to form the basis of a chat, but in this case it is very clear. Over 12 months and entitlement to drive stops.
However, as I've previously said, if the OP had applied for a provisional within the 12 months to prepare for a UK test they would have retained full rights to drive for the 12 months. The issue of a UK provisional in that first 12 months doesn't terminate or reduce driving priviliges, they can't fine you or seize your car.

Rover_Driver

maninthestreet wrote: »

Indeed - seen this more than once on the TV - the police told the hapless drivers involved that once they had a UK Provisional licence, it superceded their foreign licence, and they had to abide by the conditions of the provisional licence. The drivers concerned had their cars seized as a result, and faced hefty fine plus 6 points.

A GB provisional licence supercedes a foreign licence. But as in an earlier post, for the first twelve months of becoming resident they do not have to display 'L' plates, be accompanied and may drive on motorways. If they do not pass the test and upgrade to a full licence within those twelve months, they revert to a 'normal' provisional licence holder and have to comply with the conditions of the provisional licence.

Notmyrealname

1ipstick wrote: »

But I already have a provisional licence from when I was 17!

That makes it really simple then. You are a provisional licence holder in the UK and would not be able to drive on your US licence. On a roadside PNC check it would come up that you are a provisional licence holder.

vaio

Nah, if you have a US licence you can drive on it for a year after becoming resident

If you also have a UK provisional then the US licence removes the need for L plates etc but only during the first year of your residency

Premier_2

vaio wrote: »

Nah, if you have a US licence you can drive on it for a year after becoming resident

If you also have a UK provisional then the US licence removes the need for L plates etc but only during the first year of your residency

This is correct.

In our business, we have many US citizens that come and work here for 2-3 years. They have 12 months to get take a UK test and gain a UK licence.
Of course they first need a UK provisional licence before they can take a UK test.

They continue to drive in this country alone, without L plates, and otherwise in accordance with their US licence until they pass their UK driving test (assuming they do so within 12 months)