An American Girl in London

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Harley

Imported from Detroit
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Sineya
ooh, wouldnt that make a scary movie?


anyway...i was wondering if anyone knew if a US drivers licence is a valid licence in the UK?
 
And also, if someone were mainly staying in London, would it be very expensive to make a trip out to somewhere in the country just to see it? I really don't even know how far "countryside" would be from London. *shrug*
 
Mr. Pointy
Mr. Pointy
It depends on where you want to go and how you want to get there - petrol (gas) is much more expensive here
I think you would need to get an International driving licence. I'm getting one for when I go over but I'm pretty sure we drive on the same side of the road as the UK so I don't know if it's different for you guys.
 
International considerations

The holder of a licence from any European Union member country can drive in any other EU country. Most countries worldwide will also recognize the licences of citizens of foreign states wishing to drive as visitors. All EU member countries now issue licences in a standard format, regardless of the language of the licence.

The International Driving Permit (IDP) (sometimes erroneously called the International Driver's Licence) is a booklet which is an authorized translation of a driver's home license into many languages (especially languages with different scripts such as Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.). In some cases, it is obtained from a motoring organization such as the Automobile Association or the equivalent in the driver's home country. In other cases, it is delivered by the same government services that deliver ordinary licences. The IDP has no validity except when used in conjunction with the driver's own licence. The existence of the IDP is necessitated by many countries refusing to recognize driver's licences written in foreign languages without accompanying translations.

Issues when moving permanently from one country to another

Most licence-issuing authorities require holders of "foreign" licences taking up residence in their jurisdiction to obtain a local driving licence within a limited time (typically 6 months or 1 year). In most cases, the driver must follow the full local procedure for obtaining a licence, but some jurisdictions have mutual recognition agreements and will exchange the foreign licence for a local one without the need to undertake an additional driving test.


That is what Wikipedia said, So it might be valid. Or should be.
 
E
Edmund Blackadder
I don't necessarily want anyone knowing if and when I am online
Nah we drive on the left too. Unless over taking hahaha stupid signs! It used to be scary for me as a kid sometimes as my stepdad was american and when ever he had just come back from the US he would forget and drive on the wrong side! I would be like AGGHHHH, luckily only ever really happened on our quiet street so never any oncoming traffic while he realised what country he was in 🙂
 
Oh gosh yes *rolls eyes*. That would make a great movie. An American Werewolf in London...what a silly idea.
 
yep steering wheel is on the right side too. I couldnt imagine trying to change gears with the wrong hand!
 
Oh yeah...could you imagine? Instead of putting the car in first, we'd put it in reverse and it would be all comical and dangerous at the same time.

Methinks, I'll be taking the bus if I ever get over to the US.
 
I've never actually seen that movie...I dont think. Ive seen one of them...

Does she die if she gets bit?
 
An American Girl in London sounds like a cross between that werewolf movie and those American Girl books that The WB used to adapt into those lame-ass TV movies. 🙂
 
For further info...the foot pedals in cars in countries that drive on the left are the same way round as in countries that drive on the wrong side 😉

Also, if you are driving in London you need to be aware of the congestion charge -
BBC - London - Travel - How to pay the charge

Hire Cars
If you are going to use a hire car in the congestion zone you will still need to pay the charge. However, some hire car firms include the cost of the charge in their fees, so it's worth checking this with the firm you go with.

I would say that if you're staying in London and not venturing out to see the rest of this beautiful country, that you would probably be better sticking with public transport (the Tube, buses and rail) as they move around quite a bit faster than private cars in my experience. Perhaps one of our London-based members could explain about London transport and Oyster cards 🙂
Home Transport for London
 
I'm pretty sure an American license is not valid a least here in Germany (a girl from my class spent a year in the States, got her license there and had to do it again in Germany), and we still drive on the same of the road like Americans. So Britain probably doesn't except American licenses eiher.
Besides, honestly, I don't think I would be daring enough to drive on the left side on the road. I'm not the best driver, so that would probably be the way to make sure I'll see a British hospital from inside
 
If you want to make sure your doing the right thing with the drivers licence, ring your embassy and ask them.
As for actual driving, get an automatic, it's a lot easier.
About which side of the road to drive ( said tongue in cheek ) the Americans drive on the right side, which is wrong. The English drive on the left which is right, the Australians drive on the left unless it's closing time at the pub, then they'll pass you on the right or the left, even on the other side of town ! In Melbourne it was legal to overtake either side on some roads.
 
Mr. Pointy
Mr. Pointy
Five house points for the Maltese Cross pun :)
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