I passed my driving test!

[HeraLirambar]

Congrats, Warrick! That's awesome!

 

[anathema]

What rules do they have about it in England? In the US, you have to be at least 16, have had a permit, and pass a test. It doesn't cost anything. In Germany you have to be 18, take a lot of classes on driving safely, and pay around a thousand Euros.

Driving age is either 17 or 18 (it was 17 when I started, but the Goverment keeps talking about raising it to 18, and I don't know whether that happened), and to start you need a provisional license. I think there's a small fee to obtain it. A provisional allows you to drive under the supervision of a driver who has held a full license for at least three years.

When I started driving, you only had to pass a practical test, after which you got your full license; the upgrade was free at the time, but this was over 10 years ago These days there is also a written test which you must pass first, and the license format has changed. The 'standard' British license is a sheet of paper which carries your name and address, the classes of vehicle you are licensed to operate, and any endorsements (penalty points). You are not required to carry this with you when driving, and if stopped by a police officer and asked to produce it, you have seven days to do so at a police station of your choosing. However, a few years ago we switched to a two-part license. The main part is apparently much the same as the one I've just described, but you now also get a photo-ID card. It's recommended that you carry this part, but not compulsory. The paper part is still the important bit These things cost, and there's no compulsion to get one, so I still have my original license. Licenses need to be updated when you change address, when your ability to drive changes (eg, medical reasons) or when points are added or removed. In the former case at least, the replacement document is issued free of charge; otherwise a replacement license incurs a fee. I *think* that since the photo-ID cards appeared, all replacements cost, but I've never had one so I could be mistaken. I will get my first one the next time I move house.

Most people will take a professional course of driving instruction before sitting their test; this is the part that costs!

As with most countries, a full UK driver's license allows you to drive abroad, subject to you meeting the country's requirements (insurance, minimum age, etc). This works in reverse, too: under no circumstances would a 16-year old US driver be allowed to drive on a public road in the UK

 

[anathema]

Wow I'm lucky to be in the US. I think.

Debatable :-P My cousin in LA just started to drive, and I got a lift from her last December in my aunt's people-carrier. She's well on her way to driving like I do, so she's doing all right, but the thing is: I drive like that because I have more than 11 years experience behind the wheel and unlike most drivers over here, I know exactly how big my vehicle is! She certainly scared the crap out of her mother a couple of times during that ride...came very close to clipping the wing mirrors of parked cars. Personally, I wouldn't have allowed a 15-year-old to drive something that size until she'd had a wee bit more than a couple of weeks' lessons

 

[sarah_yzma]

there ARE fees in some states in the US. It cost around $20 to get my permit (or restriction 9 license, whichever you prefer!) when I pass my drivers test, it will cost another $11 to have a duplicate made of my license without the restriction on it. Most state's fees differ, but I don't think there are any states without fees (although I could be wrong!)

there are also failing fees, but I didn't have to pay one for my permit, and hopefully I won't for my license.

 

[anathema]

there are also failing fees, but I didn't have to pay one for my permit, and hopefully I won't for my license.

Wait...you have to pay to fail your test?

 

[Super Scooter]

In New York State, I think it's closer to 50 that you pay for a permit, and then the same for the liscence. I don't remember how much exactly I paid for my permit, but it was close to 50.

Hopefully, although I'm scared to death of it, I'll have my liscence by the end of the summer. I turn 17 in July.

 

[dmx10101]

In Florida you can get the permit at 15 and have to have it for a year, then at 16 you can get a regular licence. I don't remember if it cost to get a permit or not, that was a few years ago for me. But I remember when you take the written part of the test to get you permit and fail you can take it again right away for free. When you get you regular licence after a permit it's free and there is only a driving test. Very easy too.

 

[Luke]

Congrats Warrick - Yet another reason for me to follow the green cross code !!!