Hello everyone! Just a quick question. I applied and paid onlind for my provisional driver's licence. Then a form came in a couple of weeks ago asking me to provide original identity documents (passport or brp card) since i am not yet a uk citizen i cant just put the passport number or birth cert. We decided to attach my BRP card since it is something dvla can double check with home office. I have just received the provisional card but it doesnt have my BRP! There is no information on where it is or if they will send it back separately. Anyone has any experience with this? I am actively looking for work and recruiters are required to see the actual brp (not a copy) in order to provide employment. I was thinking that getting a replacement brp is easier than replacing my passport (which will take forever) but i dont want to pay for anything since its not my fault. Will the brp be sent in a separate mail etc?
The missus sent her passport but they sent that back in 4 days the provisional took about 3 weeks European route folk have had there passports sent to the HO in recent months if they dont send a residence card
This is really crazy. Just yesterday I thought to start a thread on how our wives get on on driving in UK. How did they get their license, how do they find the driving in UK, especially driving on the "wrong" side of the road (sorry I've been out of UK long enough to consider that the wrong side) etc etc, then Maley posted on the same subject. I think it will develop into an interesting thread.
My wife received her brp back separately to her provisional license. She has managed the driving ok after a bit of a difficult start including one exciting diversion onto the pavement when I was in the passenger seat on a practice drive - but after failing her test twice is taking a bit of a break whilst we look for a different driving instructor.
My wife passed her test just recently. It took 2 goes. It gives her so much independence now. We put a lot of effort into her learning with lots of evenings spent practicing in the local area (test area) in our own car aswell as her lesson each week.
One strategy my wife took was to learn in and take her test in an automatic. Some of her friends did this too. She did not seem bothered at all that this limits her to driving automatics in the future. She believed this helped her learn how to drive more quickly.
I think you can drive for one year using the dubai license but i want to start with this stuff so while im not working im still doing something. It is confusing driving on the other side of the road and my coordination with cltuch and brake is bad so i've decided an automatic license would be enough for the time being - my husband just want a chauffer when we are out anyway, lol.
I will need time to get used to driving here. Although im a defensive driver, i also admit that dubai isnt a great place to learn to be a polite driver. My husband was teaching me 3-point turn and its interesting. I told him im not used to it coz first, roads in dxb are wide enough for u-turn and second if itsnt, you just go over the curb and do it Im missing my truck but i guess it would be too much hassle to drive here.
i need to get my wife to learn to drive...the idea of a chauffeuse is good. an automatc is the way to go. she had her own motorbike in the filis---and wanted one here. no way---ive seen too many spread along the road.
Yes driving on the opposite side to what your used to is very confusing. Same for the clutch-accelerator coordination. My wife learnt on automatic and has never driven a manual. The roads in Dubai are certainly a lot different to UK, I don't think there are many 6 lane highways there.
Personally, for safety's sake of yourself and others I would suggest that you get a UK provisional license and some lessons before venturing on the road here. The expected standard of driving in the UK is higher than the norm in many countries and experience of driving in dubai does not necessarily well prepare you for driving in the UK.
I know a guy of Canadian origin in his late fifties, with a full UK passport, who spent many years in both the Middle East and the Philippines, eventually settled in the UK with his Filipina wife. They both had driving experience and foreign licenses. They both were allowed to drive in the UK for a year after their arrival in the UK. And both failed the UK test at least twice, once it came round to taking their test. The Filipina did eventually take lessons to help straighten out one or two "habits" picked up along the way, before settling in the UK. He was quite surprised that he failed as he was a well experienced driver.
I think anyone who has not driven in the UK before should take lessons before even thinking about going out on the UK roads unaccompanied, if they had the misfortune to be in an accident the opposite side could and would probably use it as a blame factor.
I understand all the points raised. Plus i am paranoid of the insurance scams being reported (drivers crashing themselves to unsuspecting victims to claim insurance). So far i've only driven in an abandoned industrial estate where my husband and his siblings have learned driving more than a couple of decades ago. He is qualified to teach and has taught a few of his mates to drive in the same location as well. I dont have the confidence to drive on proper roads on my own- it might take more practice to get used to it. For now, a lot of reading for the theory exams. Will keep everyone posted.
Good Luck with it I am sure you will be fine,my wife and daughter are about to embark on the same journey, it will be interesting to see the progress.
My UK license is still current so no problems driving in UK, but it is up for renewal in about 3 months. My wife's license was issued in Philippines but her initial driving instruction was in Dubai, courtesy of yours truly. She won't be driving in UK until she has a UK license, having said that, I personally believe that if you can drive in Manila and Dubai you can drive anywhere in the world, with the possible exception of Cairo, which is totally manic.
Then you may not have experienced driving through Paris, when they're digging-up the Periphique, or Rome (any time) or rush-hour Manhattan
