Driving license - Introduction

Britain has a simple rule with it comes to Expats getting a driving license: if you've been here a year, you have to get one.  Even if you only drive for a few more days after that first year, you still must get one.  Until then a valid US driving license is considered sufficient…to drive freely on the opposite side of the road and with little or no training in the signs, rules, habits, and customs.

Not that it matters much as I'll be here for a bit longer, but I certainly had to go through their process.

The first bit is passing their written test.  Also called the Theory Test.

There are DVDs, books and pamphlets as well as multiple web sites dedicated to aiding the prospective driver to be successful.  It doesn't always work of course in that only 43% of drivers pass their test on the first try.  Most apparently take the test 3 times before passing…

So with that in mind I bought a book, about an inch plus thick.  I did of course buy it early, back in June, and after getting thoroughly bored on the 3rd page, I put it on the coffee table and ignored it until November.

So in November I get a nice note from the human resources folks reminding me that if I didn't get my license on time I'd be banned from driving and would need to find my own means to get to work and travel down to Manchester.  Hmm, I better crack that book open again…

Man that is one boring topic.  3 more pages and back on the table it goes.

So in late November I get another note from human resources.  This time they remind me it takes a 6 weeks and only 43% pass on the first attempt.  What?!

Let's see…3 weeks until I go home for the holidays…then I've effectively got 6 weeks to get it before my 1 year point.  Okay, time to really knuckle down.

I decide to go on line and register…oh no!  They want my Passport sent in so I can get my learner's permit!  With passport photos!  Where can I get that and when can I get my Passport back as I'll need that to go home for Christmas.  And it's too late to cancel holiday plans as I've purchased the tickets and gee whiz it's been a few weeks since I last say Suzanne!

A few phone calls later and I find out I can get the photos at the supermarket (really?) and by using overnight mail and including a return addressed and overnight envelope (pre-paid of course) I should get my Passport back the week prior to going home.

Well that's cutting it close!

A few more phone calls and it's clear that I can take my theory test after the holidays…but that means I must pass first time to make the practical test on time.  No pressure!

Meanwhile, I'm force reading the most boring stuff in the world a chapter a day…there are over 25 chapters.  Yikes this is tough!

Off the Passport goes with my application, and my heart is pounding as I hand the envelope to the post man.

I get the envelope back a mere week later with my Passport!  Oh the joys.  Now I can schedule my Theory Test.





No openings until January.





Third week of January.




If I fail the test, I have to wait 3 working days to take it again.  If I fail the theory test once, I have zero room for error on my practical test.





Scheduled.  Study.  Study.  Boring.  Anxiety.  Study.

"What makes up the Theory Test" you ask?  Well, basically 100 questions for which you have 1 hour.  All multiple choice and you have to score a 75 to pass "part 1".  Then you take "part 2" which is a series of videos where you click on the safety concerns as you see them.  15 of these videos and you are allowed to miss 15 points out of 75.  That means if you click too late you get a low score and if you miss them you get a zero.  If you click too soon you don't get a score either, and if you just randomly click you get a warning that you're guessing…and no points!

Good news, you can practice the Theory Test online prior to the real test.  Whew!  That's a relief.  At least I can see what it's like.





More study, more boring.  But I plow through it like eating broccoli.





Test time.  The day prior I take the practice tests on line, twice.  Hmm, only the multiple choice, not the safety videos.  Well, I ace both of the multiple choice sample tests, so I feel good about that.

But what will those videos be like?




I take the first part of the test.  Whiz through it and only miss 2 of the questions.  Piece of cake!

Time for the videos…wait, I didn't see any concerns…okay a pedestrian is crossing the side street…ah that's an "item".  I get it now…

Or so I thought.





Okay, I passed, but just barely.  It turns out I missed quite a few of the items in the videos, but interestingly I was clicking often early and got lots of 5 scores (of 5 max) and then as the videos progressed I tended to not click at all.  Which meant that the first 5 videos I scored well, the middle 5 I did okay but the last 5 I basically failed.  It all evened out and I had a few points in the bank, so now I can schedule my practical test.

Anxiety is up, but the first half is done.

Until next time…