Well looks like I have to stump up for a UK license as there is not an agreement between the US and the UK (or Spain) for trading of DL’s.
So my question is, whats the fastest/quickest/easiest way to do the DAS and get my A rated DL?
Just seems kinda silly though, been riding for nigh on thirty years plus and now have to go through the motions of another driving test.
Oh and for those of you that are wondering, yes have to stump up for the one for the car too An thats only after legally licensed for over 23yrs :crazy:
Ya ya ya… after living in MK for over a year and being able to get around it better than the “natives” dont preach to me about round-a-bouts… oh and the US has “Jug Handles” very very interesting method for people to take LEFT hand turns… from the RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD :w00t:
As for taking the test, do I have to go through a center for DAS or can I go straight to the DVLA on my current bike and do the ride? Basically I want to be able to do this in roughly a weeks time or less:crazy: so that I dont get caught out on the “1 year” bit of riding in the UK on a US license (even though I now have a year again for being out of the country for more than six months).
If a visitor, then:
“you can drive any small vehicle eg cars and or motorcycles, shown on your driving licence, for a period of 12 months from the date that you last entered the country, as long as it remains full and valid”
If a resident, then:
“you can drive in Great Britain (GB) on your full, valid driving licence for up to 12 months from the time you first became resident”
“you will need to stop driving once the 12 months are over”
“you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence”
“if you wish to continue driving in GB you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test”
So you need to pass the theory test first (one each for bike and car, go figure) and then the tests, again one each for bike and car.
It’s worth noting that experienced riders/drivers have to ‘unlearn’ some more advanced manoeuvres, e.g. straight-lining an empty roundabout wide enough for two cars (a fail). It will probably pay you to take riding/driving school assessments before shelling out for the test, which in both cases you can book and attend as an individual.
Jug handles - they’re great for not sitting in the middle of the road blocking traffic while you wait to turn accross oncoming traffic (bit of a bugger that you have to wait for both directions to be clear. They have them a lot in France, I think they are mostly controlled by traffic lights here.
I think it would be great to rock up to the testing station on your own with no L plates to sit the test! Legal if it’s before your 12 months expire.
If you can get a quick test date, then you could just go for it, and if you pick up a fail then just learn from your “mistakes”.
Depending on the test examiner, if you explain your situation before the test, then he/she might be willing to give you a bit of informal feedback after the test, even if you fail, which might help you on which bits of your normal riding routine you need to “unlearn”, as Jim says.
(Strange that you can’t convert your license. My folks have just converted licenses in the US. But I suppose it depends state by state. And, thinking about it, they may have had valid licenses from another US state from a year or two ago so maybe they weren’t swapping UK for US)
Jim - resident which is why I need to do this in a year or less, but I would like to get it done and over with. Due to personal circumstances I have been out of the UK for almost a year which by the “laws” says that as long as I have a valid license from the US I am permited to drive for 12months without change. My main question is, on the DAS, do I just book a test and roll up for it on my own bike or do I have to go through a school/etc?
BB - the US is very lenient on changing “foreign” licenses into stateside ones but due to the “lenient” methods of testing in the US, most “foriegn” countries WONT. :blink: Go figure
First step is to get a provisional UK license - you will need to present it for the test. I would recommend using the provisional plus L plates for the test so as to not confuse the examiner. He will fail you for not having L plates if he thinks you should,and he won’t go out with you if you don;t have the provisional.
You will have to do a CBT also as the provisional license isn’t valid without it.
You then need the theory test including Hazard Perception. Get practice disks and practice - you will need to as real life is a different thing entirely as Jim says.
Do all this ASAP as the MC test gets much more difficult plus a lot more expensive later this year and many test centres are already fully booked up and you need all the previous steps completed before you can book it.
You’ve got to take a theory test first (£28) before you can even register for a practical test. But I suppose you’ve already taken one for a car…? (I don’t know if a bike theory test is the same as a car theory test).
Some DAS bike schools will reduce the course length to one day if that’s all you think you need. I’d recommend taking at least a one day course, because they give you the tips you need to pass the test. Their advice may not improve your riding, it’s more about passing the test!
Unfortunately you need to do a separate theory for each class of license you are after. Motorcycle, Moped and Car are all different classes so even if you have the full P classification (Moped) on your car license as they used to give it away for free to cardrivers, you still have to do the motorcycle theory.
If you have a US license the DSA ignore if for UK license qualification purposes. That’s why you need the UK provisional license before you can start. I would recommend you get a copy of the DSA’s learning to ride boo kas it explains all the steps you need to follow to get a license and these will be the same steps anyone with no UK license will need to follow.
Getting the car license is the same only you don’t need to do an equivalent of a CBT.
WOW thanks guys… Looks like I will be a busy man for a bit studying… for ermm bike and car tests :crazy: Oh well, gotta have it to be “legal” and valid insurance
Any other help greatly appreciated… keep em coming folks
seems like yet another rip off to me, when every tom,dick n abdul come here and drive round for ages on their licences and dont get me started on the eastern europeans driving round, in there cars still plated up so they dont have to do mots etc. there’s the tunnel take the train home
Not near as bad as Spain… you have to take the test like you NEVER had a license and guess what … TWO FRICKING years to be able to test for anything over 125 :crazy::doze:
They dont take into account that you have been riding a gazillion years all over the world… oh no… you didnt pass OUR test so you are a NEW DRIVER on L plates and ALL… barstewards!!!
An thats only after legally licensed for over 23yrs :crazy:
You don’t need to take training, just take the tests 
very very interesting method for people to take LEFT hand turns… from the RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD :w00t: