Comments | prakriti: oh lordy

prakriti

oh lordy

Feb 21, 2007 11:00

So yeah, I don't have a british drivers license. Not a big deal, but technically illegal. Sadly, I have to go through the entire process. Apply for my provisional, study, take the written test, take the pratical test, put L plates on my car, etc, etc , etc ( Read more... )

panty-ranty

Comments 8

ceciskittle February 21 2007, 13:37:09 UTC

I understand that it's a total pain in the ass for you, but the fact that they test whether or not you can drive a stick is so freakin' awesome! I wish they had more serious/strict test here.

prakriti February 21 2007, 13:56:33 UTC

i must say, they are much more strict on licensing in EU compared to the US, which is probably the reason why I can't just convert my license over. Plus, the road rules here just make so much more sense.

castironskillet February 21 2007, 14:34:18 UTC

I was going to say very nearly the same thing.

ceciskittle February 21 2007, 15:41:32 UTC

One of the stupidest local driving test things here has to be that DC does NOT have to parallel park to get their license. DC is the only place I parallel park.

railwaymadness February 21 2007, 17:28:59 UTC

Moving back over here made me yearn for bizarre and unpredictable things. Including L plates. So cute! So lovable! Even on a Lexus!

Do they have special places where you can rent cars specifically for taking the test? So that if you rent one a little ahead of time to make sure you're comfortable, you can make sure you get the same one for the actual test?

evilshell February 21 2007, 18:39:18 UTC

It is really frustrating, the law on this. They will let you drive there for a year on your US license, but it isn't good enough to exchange for a UK license.

I'm hoping that they'll let me convert my Swiss one if we move there, but since it says on the front it came from the US, I doubt they will. Bastards.

prakriti February 21 2007, 18:46:43 UTC

You won't be able to convert your Swiss one straight over since Switzerland isn't part of the EC/EEA. Looks like you're gonna have to go the same route as me, although if you do it within the first 12 months, you don't have to have an L plate on your car. (I'm 2 weeks over my 12 month limit!)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022556

evilshell February 21 2007, 20:49:56 UTC

I may or may not need to go that route, as Switzerland is a "designated country" ( http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022559 ), but since it shows they converted it from a US license, I might.

You know, it is terrible. I would take the test in an automatic, because I wouldn't trust my self to pass in a stick - yet I drive a manual car every day.

If I do end up driving over there, I'd put the L plate on anyway - god knows I'll try a stupid move until I'm used to the wrong side of everything! But on a Lexus....urgh....well, think of it as amusing? :)