USA Motorcycle License in UK - with UK Non-bike license
Discussion
Bit of a contrived scenario, so bear with me. Have tried in vain to get through to DVLA to ask this officially with no luck in past 4 months. Have asked 2 police officers (one traffic) and neither could confirm.
I have a US motorcycle license (attained 2018 in Maryland, full bike & car license incl MSF) and have recently relocated back to the UK. I'm British with a full normal license held since 2007. Was in the states for 2.5 years.
My understanding is that as a recent émigré, I have 12 months grace to use the US license in the UK, until presumably you get a UK license or stop riding. It's also my understanding that the UK has no reciprocity for USA licenses so it's back to the start (CTB?) for me.
The overarching question is - does my non-bike UK license trump the US bike license (plus the 12 months grace) and mean I'm not able to ride until I get the bike endorsement on my UK license sorted?
In truth, I'll be going for some refresher training regardless as the standard of the training in the USA is vastly inferior to here, however it would be nice to get some temp insurance and get out for a bit.
Thanks in advance!
I have a US motorcycle license (attained 2018 in Maryland, full bike & car license incl MSF) and have recently relocated back to the UK. I'm British with a full normal license held since 2007. Was in the states for 2.5 years.
My understanding is that as a recent émigré, I have 12 months grace to use the US license in the UK, until presumably you get a UK license or stop riding. It's also my understanding that the UK has no reciprocity for USA licenses so it's back to the start (CTB?) for me.
The overarching question is - does my non-bike UK license trump the US bike license (plus the 12 months grace) and mean I'm not able to ride until I get the bike endorsement on my UK license sorted?
In truth, I'll be going for some refresher training regardless as the standard of the training in the USA is vastly inferior to here, however it would be nice to get some temp insurance and get out for a bit.
Thanks in advance!
I had this situation many years ago as I moved back to the UK with an Italian driving licence for both car and bike.
This was pre EU and so was subject to the 12 month rule during which time I took a UK car test, and then shortly afterwards they made it so you could exchange an EU licence for a UK one which I did with the bike licence.
Obviously this was many years ago so things may have changed but if you have a 'full' US bike licence then I wouldn't think you'd need to do CBT etc. especially as you could ride 'unlimited' for the first 12 months on the US licence? - maybe if you don't pass a UK test within the 12 months you'd need to start again though?
This was pre EU and so was subject to the 12 month rule during which time I took a UK car test, and then shortly afterwards they made it so you could exchange an EU licence for a UK one which I did with the bike licence.
Obviously this was many years ago so things may have changed but if you have a 'full' US bike licence then I wouldn't think you'd need to do CBT etc. especially as you could ride 'unlimited' for the first 12 months on the US licence? - maybe if you don't pass a UK test within the 12 months you'd need to start again though?
Pothole said:
Thanks, but there is nothing in here about circumstances for existing UK license holders. I followed the steps and it resulted in me saying i've got 12 months to drive on the US license then will have to take the test for car & bike again - this isn't the case as I already have a full UK car license.Imagine I'd been disqualified in the UK, I move to the USA, get a full car license then come back to the UK - I don't imagine your honour accepting that my US license allows me to drive.
catso said:
I had this situation many years ago as I moved back to the UK with an Italian driving licence for both car and bike.
This was pre EU and so was subject to the 12 month rule during which time I took a UK car test, and then shortly afterwards they made it so you could exchange an EU licence for a UK one which I did with the bike licence.
Obviously this was many years ago so things may have changed but if you have a 'full' US bike licence then I wouldn't think you'd need to do CBT etc. especially as you could ride 'unlimited' for the first 12 months on the US licence? - maybe if you don't pass a UK test within the 12 months you'd need to start again though?
Thanks, I hope that it'll be as easy as being able to jump in without the rigmarole of CBT etc.This was pre EU and so was subject to the 12 month rule during which time I took a UK car test, and then shortly afterwards they made it so you could exchange an EU licence for a UK one which I did with the bike licence.
Obviously this was many years ago so things may have changed but if you have a 'full' US bike licence then I wouldn't think you'd need to do CBT etc. especially as you could ride 'unlimited' for the first 12 months on the US licence? - maybe if you don't pass a UK test within the 12 months you'd need to start again though?
gregs656 said:
Not quite the same but I am currently in a situation where Canada have a reciprocal agreement with the UK for driving but not riding, so would need to do my test here again, which is a bit of a pain.
That is annoying! But if Canada is anything like the USA in terms of biker education, it's doing you (us) a favour to be honest. Helmets are not even mandatory in states adjacent to Maryland.Anyway, back to your question: I'm not sure it matters for practical purposes, although my interpretation would be you can ride for 12 months on your Maryland licence. You will find that UK insurance, which is compulsory, is prohibitively expensive unless you have a UK or at least an EU licence.
thomsonaj said:
Pothole said:
Thanks, but there is nothing in here about circumstances for existing UK license holders. I followed the steps and it resulted in me saying i've got 12 months to drive on the US license then will have to take the test for car & bike again - this isn't the case as I already have a full UK car license.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk
thomsonaj said:
That is annoying! But if Canada is anything like the USA in terms of biker education, it's doing you (us) a favour to be honest. Helmets are not even mandatory in states adjacent to Maryland.
The highways here are dangerous and the roads in Ontario are all extremely dull. If I moved out west I would probably consider it, but here I am not sure it is worth it living downtown.Shame really!
What they will do here (and maybe in the UK) is recognise foreign experience, so you may be able to skip a few hoops testing.
The non reciprocal part between countries is a massive pain.
When I moved out to the US, I could drive rental cars on my UK license.
I even rented bikes from Harley dealers on my UK bike license. No issues or legal shenanigans.
However, when I wanted to buy my own car & bike, to register & get insurance, I had to retake both tests.
The b
d insurance companies here also take the date you pass your test as getting your license so treated me as a new driver/rider in 2014 even though I passed my UK tests in 1978. 
When I moved out to the US, I could drive rental cars on my UK license.
I even rented bikes from Harley dealers on my UK bike license. No issues or legal shenanigans.
However, when I wanted to buy my own car & bike, to register & get insurance, I had to retake both tests.
The b
d insurance companies here also take the date you pass your test as getting your license so treated me as a new driver/rider in 2014 even though I passed my UK tests in 1978. This is definitely a curious situation, but it seems pretty clear to me. Your original UK car licence is valid as it always was. Your US licence is valid for 12 months - car/bike. When your US validity finishes you will only have the UK licence, and if that is car only and you want to ride a bike too, then you will have to undergo the full motorbike licence route, i.e CBT/theory/Mod1/Mod2.
It might seem nonsensical but I think it's pretty normal if there is no agreement between countries. The only twist in your case is that you already have a UK car licence.
When I moved out to Spain, even though in theory the licences are transferable, I still had to an additional medical to get the Spanish licence. There's always something to make things more complicated.
It might seem nonsensical but I think it's pretty normal if there is no agreement between countries. The only twist in your case is that you already have a UK car licence.
When I moved out to Spain, even though in theory the licences are transferable, I still had to an additional medical to get the Spanish licence. There's always something to make things more complicated.
Appreciate all the replies guys, thanks for taking the time to share your own experiences.
As a couple have said, insurance will probably be the prohibiting factor (plus living in Scotland which isn't exactly famed for it's winter riding generosity...) so I think the best thing to do is focus on getting the UK setup and building up the experience.
Stay safe all
As a couple have said, insurance will probably be the prohibiting factor (plus living in Scotland which isn't exactly famed for it's winter riding generosity...) so I think the best thing to do is focus on getting the UK setup and building up the experience.
Stay safe all
the tribester said:
thomsonaj said:
Pothole said:
Thanks, but there is nothing in here about circumstances for existing UK license holders. I followed the steps and it resulted in me saying i've got 12 months to drive on the US license then will have to take the test for car & bike again - this isn't the case as I already have a full UK car license.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk
Pothole said:
First response the only one necessary, then. Good, good.
Unless I'm missing something, there is nothing in either of the links that you posted that explicitly mentions the legislation for existing UK license holders. If that fact is irrelevant (and you know that from a legal standpoint) then ideal, but I don't want to assume it is.Knowing the complexities of the licensing system combined with the unusual scenario I'm in, I'm ideally looking for explicit confirmation or someone else's experience. Call me a pedant but I'm just trying to keep things in check.
gregs656 said:
The highways here are dangerous and the roads in Ontario are all extremely dull. If I moved out west I would probably consider it, but here I am not sure it is worth it living downtown.
Shame really!
What they will do here (and maybe in the UK) is recognise foreign experience, so you may be able to skip a few hoops testing.
Which part of Ontario do you live in? Shame really!
What they will do here (and maybe in the UK) is recognise foreign experience, so you may be able to skip a few hoops testing.
I'm a Canadian who just moved to the UK. My bike license transfers over; however, my car license will be auto only, which in some ways is fair enough, but then is odd considering its legal in the UK for me to drive a manual on my Canadian license.
Not to hijack the thread, but anyone know exactly how illegal it is to drive a manual on an automatic license? (Being Canadian, I have no reference points for this type of "offence" because there is just one type of car license there).
Not to hijack the thread, but anyone know exactly how illegal it is to drive a manual on an automatic license? (Being Canadian, I have no reference points for this type of "offence" because there is just one type of car license there).
BlackPrince said:
I'm a Canadian who just moved to the UK. My bike license transfers over; however, my car license will be auto only, which in some ways is fair enough, but then is odd considering its legal in the UK for me to drive a manual on my Canadian license.
Not to hijack the thread, but anyone know exactly how illegal it is to drive a manual on an automatic license? (Being Canadian, I have no reference points for this type of "offence" because there is just one type of car license there).
Would guess driving otherwise than in accordance with a license would be what you'd get stung with. Sentencing guidelines suggest up to £1k fine, not sure about points as there are two different offences with focus on not actually having a license vs driving with the wrong kind.Not to hijack the thread, but anyone know exactly how illegal it is to drive a manual on an automatic license? (Being Canadian, I have no reference points for this type of "offence" because there is just one type of car license there).
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