Learning to drive in the USA??

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Specializes in emergency surgery.

Hi everyone. I am emmigrating to California next year and I am wondering if anyone could give me some advice about learning to drive over there. I do have a driving licence here in England. Do you have a separate version of The Highway Code and where could I buy one in preparation for my move? I would be grateful for any feedback.

Thanks. :idea:

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Specializes in med/surg.

Each State produces it's own version of it's "highway code" (well I know FL has one so I presume the others do too). My DH has a FL license - which is now out of date & thanks to 9/11 not renewable until we get there for good.

All he did was take the computer test -which took him 2 goes - he hadn't even bothered reading the highway book mind you! Then he went out on the ever so straight double wide roads & passed. It was as easy as that!

I haven't done my test but both my parents-in-law passed 1st time.

You can drive for a while on your UK license (I presume at least for 90 days because that's the max length of a tourist visa) before you have to get a FL one - & I guess that would be pretty much the deal State wide.

You could try on-line for the California book. Amazon.com may even carry them (??) Personally I wouldn't sweat it, you'll have time enough to check it out once you get there.

Be interesting to see what others say.

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Specializes in ICU.

California has their book online on the website. It even has sample questions. Good luck!

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm

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You can also get an International license that will be good in the US. Not all companies accept a license from out of country for a car rental, but the International is accepted all over. In the US we get it at the AAA - Automobile Club office.

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Specializes in cardiac cath lab.

Not sure about CA but it is cheaper for car insurance if you have your US licence in FL.

We are not able to take our test in FL until we have SSN in hand when we arrive on GC.

Going to book test next week to take during our holiday which is in a couple of weeks. (Then we can renew with no further tests when we arrive for good)

We are going to do the online test before we go to get it out of the way I think it costs $20.

Just in case you have kids

Our son who is 15 is has loads more work to do, already done a 4 hours drugs and alcohol test now has to sit DMV road signs and road laws test. To get his learners permit he has to go to the test center to have eyes tested and for us to give permission for him to drive.

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It is actually quite hard to get any insurance with a foreign license, but many times people lease/rent a car until they get situated. This is what I was referring to. Many are unable to purchase a car as soon as they arrive, and get an address and everything else set up if they need to get a loan.

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Specializes in emergency surgery.

Thanks everyone, that has been really helpful. I may as well read about road rules before I get there - once I have passed NCLEX anyway!! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in medical-surgical, CCU, Catheter Lab.

I am going back home next month and also going to get an international drivers license...:wink2: Just in preparation for migrating in the U.S. hopefully by late next year...

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The rules of the road are quite similar in the US, we just drive on the other side of the road. I have driven almost everytime that I have been in the UK without any problems at all.

Some areas here permit right hand turns on red lights, others do not. But those are specific things to the area that you will be in.

Pedestrians always get right of way in a cross-walk.

Speed limits in school areas are between 15 to 25 miles per hour depending on the area, and are very large ticket for going over that.

Bicycles are to follow the same traffic rules as cars when on the road.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
The rules of the road are quite similar in the US, we just drive on the other side of the road. I have driven almost everytime that I have been in the UK without any problems at all.

Some areas here permit right hand turns on red lights, others do not. But those are specific things to the area that you will be in.

Pedestrians always get right of way in a cross-walk.

Speed limits in school areas are between 15 to 25 miles per hour depending on the area, and are very large ticket for going over that.

Bicycles are to follow the same traffic rules as cars when on the road.

Suzanne

When you drove in the UK how did you find the roundabouts :) Have had some fun trying to explain them to a few of my US friends and I know one of them scared her self witless the first time she came across one in The UK the first time she came over with her UK husband

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Not a problem at all. They actually have them on a much smaller scale in Arizona (Scottsdale, specifically). The first time that you see them with all of the traffic merging in can be daunting, but just keep eyes open and very aware of what you are doing, and all is well.

Drivers are very aware of others merging in, and are usually very cooperative with that. It is quite scary the first time that you see it, but then you realize that it is quite commonplace.

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

They have quite a few roundabouts here in Jacksonville,FL and some people get them and some just have NO idea what they are doing. I have seen cars stop on the roundabouts to let cars out...nearly getting rearended in the process!

I am taking my test soon and was thinking of taking one lesson to get rid of my bad driving habits but does anyone think its necessary? Are they as stict overhere as in the UK with the whole mirror-signal-manevour and the hand postion on the wheel,etc??

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