Driving in US coming from UK

[jakejon 1,196]

Hi guys,

 

Just wandering....

 

Ok, so I've had my UK DL for about 10 years now. Have my driving test booked soon. However, I'm not sure if I'm the only British person to be kinda struggling with poor road markings (well in Vegas), center lanes and left turns (turning too wide/under). Also, speed signs are so poor around my local DMV, (just used to the UK being far more clear LOL). 

 

Just wandering if anyone who took the drive test from a UK perspective, any helpful tips you would give? I hope that makes sense. 

 

Thanks 

Jon 

[TBoneTX 43,043]

There was a fairly recent thread about this in this same forum (unsure of title); perhaps scroll around for it.

[jakejon 1,196]

Ok great thanks  

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, jakejon said:

Hi guys,

 

Just wandering....

 

Ok, so I've had my UK DL for about 10 years now. Have my driving test booked soon. However, I'm not sure if I'm the only British person to be kinda struggling with poor road markings (well in Vegas), center lanes and left turns (turning too wide/under). Also, speed signs are so poor around my local DMV, (just used to the UK being far more clear LOL). 

 

Just wandering if anyone who took the drive test from a UK perspective, any helpful tips you would give? I hope that makes sense. 

 

Thanks 

Jon 

 

It depends what the signs, markings, and rules of the road are in Nevada. Find a driver's manual for Nevada, if there is one and it may help with what is expected of you.

 

If your Vegas DMV is too urban, find one out in the sticks somewhere that might be easier on you. 

 

Do you have one of the following in order to get a license?

Applicants Born Outside the U.S.

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551). If the card is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension. The old pink version of the I-551, called the "Resident Alien Card," that contains no expiration date is also acceptable.
• Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped “Processed for I-551.”
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form. If the I-94 is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension.

[yuna628 9,528]

Wuozopo has a great idea about finding a driver's manual. Even though my husband had been driving in the US whenever he visited for years, I made sure he had a manual to study just in case. Doing the test wasn't an issue for him, and compared to the UK test, he says if you can pass that, passing a US test is a breeze. Main thing is to study up, practice a bunch with someone you know that does drive, and relax.

[jakejon 1,196]

44 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 

It depends what the signs, markings, and rules of the road are in Nevada. Find a driver's manual for Nevada, if there is one and it may help with what is expected of you.

 

If your Vegas DMV is too urban, find one out in the sticks somewhere that might be easier on you. 

 

Do you have one of the following in order to get a license?

Applicants Born Outside the U.S.

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551). If the card is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension. The old pink version of the I-551, called the "Resident Alien Card," that contains no expiration date is also acceptable.
• Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped “Processed for I-551.”
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form. If the I-94 is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension.

Yeah Nevada has a thing called a Driver Authorization Card which is all I qualify for. Once I get my EAD, I can upgrade to a State Licence. Yeah, definitely referring to the manual lots! At least Jake doesn't think now that I'm going to kill him in a road crash  

[jakejon 1,196]

15 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Wuozopo has a great idea about finding a driver's manual. Even though my husband had been driving in the US whenever he visited for years, I made sure he had a manual to study just in case. Doing the test wasn't an issue for him, and compared to the UK test, he says if you can pass that, passing a US test is a breeze. Main thing is to study up, practice a bunch with someone you know that does drive, and relax.

Thanks for this!! I just fear I'll be a dumbster and it'll take me 3-5 time LOL. Going to take both you guys advice!! ❤️ 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, jakejon said:

Yeah Nevada has a thing called a Driver Authorization Card which is all I qualify for. Once I get my EAD, I can upgrade to a State Licence. Yeah, definitely referring to the manual lots! At least Jake doesn't think now that I'm going to kill him in a road crash  

I looked that up. So they allow illegals to drive, but their license is not good for ID or to make it appear they are legal immigrants. Interesting concept. 

 

My test was very easy. A highway patrol officer does the driving test in Texas. I drove a couple of blocks making a few turns, then she said go back to the station. She said "I can tell you are a very good driver" and skipped most of the test. She marked through sections and wrote passed on the bottom. I did have to do the parallel parking test in the car park before we started. 

 

Just learn the rules for your state...like is right on red allowed there? Do you have to come to a complete stop at the light before turning right on a red light? Here, they also expect you to look over your shoulder before changing lanes and not just in the side mirrors. Maybe a general google would come up with Nevada tips. 

[JFH 12,189]

Definitely get a manual and study it. Like the Highway Code. Do you have to do a written test as well? We do in Washington. 

 

The driving test itself may be easier than the UK one but may be harder. There’s no such thing as an American driving test as all states set their own requirements and tests. I did my test in Washington state in a foot of snow, and was required to parallel park, reverse around a corner, hill start, go round a roundabout, join and leave a freeway, three-point turn. Very similar to the UK test. I’ve heard of other states on requiring you to be able to drive around the block. 

[Paul & Marina 53]

Have you thought about going to a local driving school? Mabey take a couple hours of driving instruction. The instructor can evaluate you driving and you can talk about questions you have while driving.

[Wuozopo 4,285]

26 minutes ago, JFH said:

reverse around a corner, hill start, go round a roundabout, join and leave a freeway, three-point turn.

Interesting...none of those in my state are tested.  Well maybe freeway driving might happen in urban places, but I went to a small rural town. 

[JFH 12,189]

15 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Interesting...none of those in my state are tested.  Well maybe freeway driving might happen in urban places, but I went to a small rural town. 

I was hoping it would be cancelled because of the snow. But the examiner said “you live in Washington now. You’re going to be driving in snow for several months a year”. Roundabouts weren’t an issue for me, coming from the UK. But I was speaking to someone at work who recently relocated from out of state and she can’t get her head round them at all.

[jakejon 1,196]

@JFH your driving test sounded really complex. For Nevada, they say their state requirements are you have to have 3 right turns, 3 left turns, a stop sign, a traffic light, school zone and parallel parking. Fair play for doing it in the snow!! Definitely going to take the advice of re-reading the manual. Have already done the written test, had to do that before they would give me my driving permit. Oh, I remember driving in the UK with Jake and he nearly had a heart attack as I drove around a roundabout clockwise   

[jakejon 1,196]

3 hours ago, Paul & Marina said:

Have you thought about going to a local driving school? Mabey take a couple hours of driving instruction. The instructor can evaluate you driving and you can talk about questions you have while driving.

Yeah, kinda thought about that! As I took the K1 way, money is tight. I'd love to do a local driving school to brush up a little as I drive here like I've lost my mind haha

Edited February 2, 2019 by jakejon

[jakejon 1,196]

19 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

I looked that up. So they allow illegals to drive, but their license is not good for ID or to make it appear they are legal immigrants. Interesting concept. 

 

My test was very easy. A highway patrol officer does the driving test in Texas. I drove a couple of blocks making a few turns, then she said go back to the station. She said "I can tell you are a very good driver" and skipped most of the test. She marked through sections and wrote passed on the bottom. I did have to do the parallel parking test in the car park before we started. 

 

Just learn the rules for your state...like is right on red allowed there? Do you have to come to a complete stop at the light before turning right on a red light? Here, they also expect you to look over your shoulder before changing lanes and not just in the side mirrors. Maybe a general google would come up with Nevada tips. 

The only catch with DAC cards here is I'm limited just to using it in Nevada, which for the time being is ok but I do want to upgrade to a full state licence when I do get my EAD/AP combo card. 

Edited February 2, 2019 by jakejon