Driving in the US/UK

[bcking 3,157]

Another thing not mentioned here yet is the International Driving Permit.

 

Did people who moved from the UK to the US get one before coming? Or did you just drive with your UK license until you changed it at the DMV? My wife just got hers in the mail.

[broppy 204]

1 hour ago, bcking said:

Another thing not mentioned here yet is the International Driving Permit.

 

Did people who moved from the UK to the US get one before coming? Or did you just drive with your UK license until you changed it at the DMV? My wife just got hers in the mail.

The IDP is little more than a multilingual translation of your regular driver's license - you can't use it on its own - you must have an actual driver's licence too. But since UK licences are in English, there's not much point having an IDP in the US. I know Florida passed a law requiring foreigners to hold an IDP (it was big news in Canada a few years ago), but last I heard it's in limbo - the law's on the books, but they can't enforce it because it contravenes the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and federal law on the matter supersedes state law. If your license isn't in English, though, an IDP would be strongly recommended or even required depending on the state.

[bcking 3,157]

5 minutes ago, broppy said:

The IDP is little more than a multilingual translation of your regular driver's license - you can't use it on its own - you must have an actual driver's licence too. But since UK licences are in English, there's not much point having an IDP in the US. I know Florida passed a law requiring foreigners to hold an IDP (it was big news in Canada a few years ago), but last I heard it's in limbo - the law's on the books, but they can't enforce it because it contravenes the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and federal law on the matter supersedes state law. If your license isn't in English, though, an IDP would be strongly recommended or even required depending on the state.

Oh I thought my wife and I had found some source that said technically in the US she should have it before she drives, despite her license being already in English.

 

I'll try to find where we read that. Maybe we were misinformed.

[broppy 204]

9 minutes ago, bcking said:

Oh I thought my wife and I had found some source that said technically in the US she should have it before she drives, despite her license being already in English.

 

I'll try to find where we read that. Maybe we were misinformed.

IDPs are generally issued by automobile associations (i.e. AA/AAA/AMA/CAA/etc.) - not the DMV or DVLA. And as there's a fee involved, it's in their interest to encourage you to get one...

Edited April 18, 2017 by broppy

[bcking 3,157]

3 minutes ago, broppy said:

IDPs are generally issued by automobile associations (i.e. AA/AAA/AMA/CAA/etc.) - not the DMV or DVLA. And as there's a fee involved, it's in their interest to encourage you to get one...

Ya I realize. IDP's in the UK are given out by the Post Office. I thought we read somewhere on the Texas website, but now I can't find it.

 

Oh well she will have both. It didn't cost that much.

[broppy 204]

Oh, and straying slightly off-topic: to take a driving test in the UK, in addition to written test and practical driving, you also need to take a "hazard perception" test. I was curious, so googled and found an example - https://www.theory-test-online.co.uk/free-hazard-perception-test-demo.htm. Even ignoring the fact you're supposed to be looking out for hazards, the first video scares the ####### out of me - that looks like a two-way road with a 60 mph speed limit!

[bcking 3,157]

2 minutes ago, broppy said:

Oh, and straying slightly off-topic: to take a driving test in the UK, in addition to written test and practical driving, you also need to take a "hazard perception" test. I was curious, so googled and found an example - https://www.theory-test-online.co.uk/free-hazard-perception-test-demo.htm. Even ignoring the fact you're supposed to be looking out for hazards, the first video scares the ####### out of me - that looks like a two-way road with a 60 mph speed limit!

In the UK there are "National speeds".

 

The national speed limit for a single carriageway is 60 miles an hour. Whereever you see the white circle with the black slash, it is national speed. That speed limit oftentimes will apply to what appear to be single lane (Or maybe 1.5 cars wide) roads that wind with huge hedgerows so you can't see oncoming traffic.

 

There are a lot of national speed roads in Cornwall/Devon that are like that. Most places if you veered into the side you'd hit a bush. In Cornwall you'd hit a 400+ year old stone wall. 

[broppy 204]

28 minutes ago, bcking said:

In the UK there are "National speeds".

 

The national speed limit for a single carriageway is 60 miles an hour. Whereever you see the white circle with the black slash, it is national speed. That speed limit oftentimes will apply to what appear to be single lane (Or maybe 1.5 cars wide) roads that wind with huge hedgerows so you can't see oncoming traffic.

I know! That's what worried me! Even if you don't see the national speed limit sign, if there's no lower speed limit (and repeated at regular intervals), national speed limit applies. I used to drive one of these roads to work every day - at 60 - looking back, I can't believe I survived!

[VisaDJ 16]

Oh goodness, I hadn't even thought about having to change my license or potentially retaking my test!

 

That being said, I've spent several months over in the US with my fiancee and actually drove for the majority of the time - including a huge road trip in a Mustang (yes, that was cool to drive ). I found driving a tiny bit daunting at first and have made one or two mistakes here and there, but overall it's not too bad (if I am nervous, I just focus on keeping the centre of the road lined up with the correct side of the car!). 99.9% of their cars are automatic, and are super-easy to drive, which helps quite a lot. 

 

Personally - unless you live in a major city - I would say you'll definitely need a car to get around easily. From what i've encountered, public transport can be quite lacking in a lot of places.

[YorkshiretoAZ 12]

Hi Everyone!

 

Sorry I haven't replied to this thread recently I've been super busy.

 

Ok so in 3 weeks we are off back to England to visit my family and the plan is for me to drive whilst we are there, where I live is quite rural and family are dotted around so someone needs to drive!  We are looking at renting a car from a local town from Enterprise (if anyone has any experiences about them can you let me know please.)

 

Ive been having driving lessons for the last few weeks I've done 9 hours with my instructor and a lot with my wife, I have my driving test next week so I'm hoping I'll pass, there are a few little things to work on but fingers crossed I can be confident and pass  I'll update and let you know how I get on.

[YorkshiretoAZ 12]

I passed my driving test today  

[VisaDJ 16]

3 hours ago, YorkshiretoAZ said:

I passed my driving test today  

Congrats! Well done