Why can my wife not exchange her American driving license for a UK valid one?

Question

My wife is American and has applied to exchange her American driving license for a UK valid one now that she lives in England.

The DVLA say that such licenses are not recognised within the UK to be exchanged.

Does anybody know why?

Answer 1

its because usa is not in the e u she will have to take our test here, she can drive on her american liecence for 1 year, i had a tracktor trailor liecence when i lived in the u s a  i moved back to england after 15 years and had to take the whole lot again, hope this helps

Answer 2

And yes, driving here in the UK is different to the US.

See: Roundabouts. :)

Answer 3

Because you can only exchange your license for another if you move from one state to another.  UK is not a state of the US.

Every country would have their own rules as regards licensing.

Answer 4

An American licence may only be used on a very temporary basis.

EU nations only recognise other EU licences as valid for the purposes of an exchange.

Answer 5

she need to pass test for the uk

Answer 6

Hi,

Any other international licences (american included) can be used in the United Kingdom, but are only valid either as a tempory 'Visit' to the country as a holiday for example, or if you are a resident, for 1 year.

After the 12 Months, you will have to use a UK Licence, which will only be granted by taking the theory test and practical, as regulations are different in this country.

If you do have intentions of applying for a licence in England, it is reccomended that you are assesed by a qualified instructor before taking the test.

Any U.S licence holders will EASILY Pass the driver test for this country, manual (stick shift) and automatic licences are avaliable. Manual entitles both.

Answer 7

Because driving in the UK is different to driving in the USA, duh. I had to take driving lessons all over again here in the UK when I moved over from the US. All expats do. I wouldn't want to get on the roads here without learning first anyway, winding, narrow roads and all.

Answer 8

It is many many years since you could exchange a foreign licence for a UK one without taking a driving test, and even then, it may have only been certain commonwealth licences.  The road traffic rules in USA are very different to ours and you wife will have to take a UK test.

Answer 9

One possible reason could be that the vast majority of US drivers qualify to drive cars with automatic transmissions, whereas most of the cars in the UK are manual.

Answer 10

Because our cars, signage and laws are fundamentally different!  She should be able to take a few lessons, and then pass a UK driving test in a right-hand drive car.  Hopefully!

Answer 11

well for one thing road laws differ in the usa..you cant exspect the dvla to give her a full licence ...sadly she has to pass our driving test...