Unbelievable but true - Help?

[tuteez]

First off, I know you guys are going to laugh, but here goes anyway...

Some of you may have noticed some of my posts here. They're few and far between and I generally just lurk around. I don't yet own a Porsche because I have a dilemma - I need to get my British license.

You see, I've been licensed for 20 years, however, since moving to England I find out that I need to take the driving test within the next year or else I won't be licensed. My insurance company is not happy either and they want me to have a British license before they will insure me on a Porsche.

So guys, what's it like here? What are the "usual" things I'll be tested on when taking the test? Any help or advice (positive "please" would be appreciated..

[tertius]

You might want to post this in General Gassing - you need someone who has taken a test pretty recently. Obviously I'm not referring to myself here, but some of us, may have taken our test, ahem, a while ago.

[tuteez]

True...I'll post it there as well...perhaps some of you have kids who have recently taken their test?

[polarexpress]

WHy don't you just transfer your license over?... what country is your license from?

[The Londoner]

polarexpress said:

WHy don't you just transfer your license over?... what country is your license from?

Don't think you can do that, unless you do it in the first year or so that you are here. Mrs The Londoner had a Swedish driving licence and drove here very happily for about 12 years, but when she decided to get a British licence she had to go through the whole test procedure here.

[superlightr]

tuteez said:

True...I'll post it there as well...perhaps some of you have kids who have recently taken their test?

kids and porsche's - mine arnt allowed anywhere near mine. sticky fingers and all that.

[tuteez]

I could turn in my license (Canadian) for an automatic only British license. Canadian licensing doesn't care whether you test in a manual or automatic. You pass, you get your license.

If I do that, I still would have to take the test to be upgraded to a full manual license here. Also, If I turn in my license I would no longer have my Canadian license and would have to go through hell to get it back if I ever go back.

I figure if I have to take the test to get a manual license anyway, I might as well keep the Canadian one and get a British one as well.

By the way, buying and/or driving a "tip" is OUT OF THE QUESTION!

[mindgam3]

Do you have to take the theory test too?

If so its mainly common sense but may need to get a highway code to revise stopping distances etc.

The actual test will contain two or three manouvers out of:

Turn in the road
parallel park
bay park
reverse around a corner
maybe a few more??

Bascially they're looking for road awareness over technical skill - so keep looking in your mirrors so they notice and always stop completely when there's other pedestrians/cars about when doing manourvers.... other than that I guess you'll be ok

Oh, they like shufflers

[tuteez]

I'm getting mixed information on the theory test part - looks like I'll only have to do the driving test.

Thanks for the info - pretty much what I expected....but what's a "shuffler"?

[mindgam3]

tuteez said:

I'm getting mixed information on the theory test part - looks like I'll only have to do the driving test. Thanks for the info - pretty much what I expected....but what's a "shuffler"?

Rather than keeping your hands in a fixed 9-3 position when turning, push and pull the wheel round so that your hands remain in contsct with the wheel no matter how much lock you have on - prevents crossing of the arms; a big no no on your test.

Ask about push and pull technique in the advanced driving section, i'm sure they'll give you a better definition

[tuteez]

ahhhh....I get it... ick. does anyone really drive like that?

[gaity]

Why not just pick a local driving scool/instructor? He will know exactly what you need to do to pass the test. If you can drive you won't have a problem "adjusting" for half an hour or so to prove you can, "properly"!

[tuteez]

That's actually a really good idea! Thanks

[DucatiGary]

i passed my car test feb 2005, had a full motorbike license for years and I employed my girlfriend who can drive as our marketing manager and gave her a land rover for taking us to work so ne real need for me to have a licence (and also always said my first car would be a 911 so had to work my ass of first to make it happen)

[loonycat]

I swapped my Australian licence for a British one without having to take a test in 2001 - however the rules may have changed since then. It was within 3 years of arriving in UK so that may have helped. I only did it so I could take the DAS and get my full motorbike licence after a 2 day course (and expect them to close that loophole in the next couple of years).

The suggestion to get some professional instruction is a good one - 2 or 3 lessons with a pro should have you revert back to 'test pass' mode and you'll be fine to get through. It may well be an educational experience and think of it as 'advanced driver training'

Good luck!