Jeff is Officially a UK Driver

I tried to get Jeff to write this post...ha, that didn't happen.  So I will be a proud wife saying that Jeff is officially a UK driver. I should also say this post has been backlogged and happened early on in January.  I'll try to catch up on posts soon.

Before he could even take any of the driving tests, he had to send his passport in to get a provisional driver's license...almost like a learner's permit. We had to go to a grocery store to get his photo taken, as they do not do that at the driver's branch.  It was in one of those booths you see in the mall to take silly pictures. Normally 13 year old girls are using them. Not here. Also, no smiling in this picture, which means it is a pretty creepy picture.

After being in the country for a year, Jeff needed to pass the United Kingdom driving test to still be insured under the company car.  Friends of ours let us borrow their practice books and videos so Jeff could study.  He passed the first part, the theory and hazards test on his first try.  He was asked to sit down to take a written test and then a virtual test where he had to click the computer screen when he saw hazards (people, other cars, etc).  He didn't miss any...smarty pants.

Before January 2nd, he needed to pass the practical test with an instructor.  Many of our American friends hired driving instructors to teach them the ins-outs of the test and the specifics of driving here in the UK.  He decided not to get the driving instructor to save a little money and time.  He asked another American friend to drive around with him a few days before his test to tell him what he was doing right and wrong.

I rode with him after he practiced with our friend.  I almost felt more unsafe having him drive the "correct" way.  He was constantly checking his mirrors...and he looked pretty odd doing it.  He practiced parallel parking, a 3-point turn, and backing up on to a road.  We practiced backing up in a parking spot and correctly going in a round about.

I'm proud to announce Jeff passed the first time. I'm not sure I would have passed at all.  So he received his new driver's license in the mail a couple weeks ago for an automatic car (separate test to be able to drive a manual).  We were even able to say we were a part of the European Union (EU) at a museum to get a discount since he has proof now that he is a resident of the EU.  Pretty cool!

I'll make sure Jeff holds on to it, so you can giggle at the picture. 

See if you can pass the tests here....


On to the next adventure...