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Frustrated... (vent)
I learned on Friday morning that it's illegal for me to drive in the States right now. My IDP seems to have expired. My valid UK license isn't recognised.
So, that in itself is kind of annoying.
What's frustrating me more is the fact that MD want to treat me like any 16 year old learning to drive. As in, according to them, I have to get my provisional license, do the 30 hours classroom training, 6 hours driving instruction, plus the 3 hour drug awareness course.
It sounds silly now I've written it down... but, H is tired of driving me places. He already drives around 12 hours a week just getting to work. And I guess I kind of figured the process wouldn't be that bad - you know, prove I know how to drive - take the normal driving tests to show I have no issue driving on the right... etc.
But that I have to begin from complete scratch. I've had my license nearly 3 years, been driving nearly 6. It cost me ?1500 to learn to drive... so... now thats all for nothing? Really?
Special relationship my arse. I already checked with DVLA about our visits and I can drive in the UK with an American license for up to year. America wants whatever it can get but isn't willing to give any leeway in return..
Don't get me wrong. I'm not anti-American - far from it... I'm hoping to become a citzen one day. This stuff just rubs me the wrong way.
Re: Frustrated... (vent)
If it makes you feel any better, Ohio made me retake the written portion of the driving test before they would switch my valid non-expired New York driver's license for an Ohio one.
When I moved to NY from OH, New York just switched the license over with no problems. Ohio, on the other hand, didn't accept the face value of a license issued by another bureau within the same country.
I'm sorry MD is being sucky.
That's ridiculous!
I thought it was easier for adults to get their license? The classroom part is totally ridiculous, as is the learners permit. I would more understanding if it were just having to take the driving test.
On the bright side: The whole thing is way cheaper in the US than in Europe, isn't it?
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Did you talk to someone on the phone/in person or did you look this up on the website? I've found that people in person might not have the most accurate information. From the MVA website it seems that you don't have to take the classroom training/driving instruction... just the 3 hour drug awareness course. Also, it seems that since you've been licensed for more than 18 months you don't get the provisional license. Maybe the person you talked to thought that the classes would be good since you do have to take the associated tests?
I'm going through the same thing here. Germany (and the state I live in specifically) doesn't accept our license from our state. Fortunately we only have to take the written test, but unfortunately we haven't found a good study guide. Just a practice test with all 1000 questions, of which they'll ask 30.
When my parents moved from NY to NC they had to take the written test. When they moved from NC to MI they had to take the written test, and when the moved from MI to AR they had to take the written test and my mom failed because she didn?t find out what the fines for drag racing and drunk driving were... Every state is different, and the things they think you should know about their state also vary.
I second Traveling Turtle. It?s probably not nearly as bad as you think. But still annoying, I agree. Good luck!
We don't have drivers licenses in the UK yet because the whole process is too overwhelming. We've been driving for 15 years in the states (we're both 31) so the thought of going through all the testing and the road test is just a bit silly! We can rent cars all over the world, just not in the UK. Since we live in a city it doesn't matter, but it's on our 'things to do eventually' list.
It's really irritating, I agree, but it does go both ways. It's much easier between European countries or with a Canada/UK switch.
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Yeah, it isn't actually quite as easy as you make it seem for an American to drive on a US license in the UK. They do get a year but you have a harder time getting insurance, etc. And the UK test is infinitely more difficult than the American ones.
Saying that I would be really surprised if you have to do all that. My British dh just had to take the test/driving test to get his license when we moved here, and while it isn't in MD I would be surprised if they make you do all that. I would recheck with someone else.
Edit: Someone who has done it can correct me but that actually sounds an awful lot like what they do make Americans do in the UK when getting a license. It isn't as easy as taking the test and being done with it.
Ah, quite the relevant question in Ohio, really. I don't think that was on my test when I took it, but it's been some time now.
Thanks for all the replies... I'm sorry I didn't get on earlier to respond but I've been getting stuff ready - job interview this evening!
I had gotten the info from the website, and confirmed over the phone that I wasn't allowed to drive. According to the MVA website, just the drug awareness course was for people from France, Germany and South Korea - foreign reciprocity agreements.
I will check again definitely... I can't imagine going through it all again from scratch.
Thank you for being so understanding. I find if I type something out that I'm mad about that it looks really silly and pathetic written out. I wish you all luck in your own licensing issues!
According to this page (http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Driver-Services/Apply/international.htm#exchanging_out_of_country) the provisional license is only if you have been licensed for less than 18 months. So assuming you have had your UK license longer than that you won't have to have a provisional license. It does appear you have to take the 3 hour drug and alcohol course. It says nowhere on there that you have to do the 30 hours classroom training or 6 hours driving instruction.
So, you will have to take the 3 hour drug course and take the written and driving test. I think the written and driving tests are standard in all states when coming in with your UK license.
And you were supposed to do it within 60 days of moving to the US, I don't know when you did.
I was reading that part about the drug awareness course as that they still have to take it (Germans and South Koreans) even though they have the foreign reciprocity agreements. So, everyone has to take it and they are just reiterating that everyone includes Germans and South Koreans who might not think they have to since they don't have to do everything else.
Edited to fix grammar, but it could still be wrong!
It does suck though, doesn't it? I remember thinking the same as you. When I moved here, I had been driving for over 10 years already so I thought it was complete over kill to have to re-do everything, ESPECIALLY since Canadians could just get a UK license without any re-do's.