can my wife drive in uk

[Tribal Fusion]

Can my wife drive in the UK? No, she does not have a licence!

[Merseymike]

But, as already stated, you don't need a UK licence to be able to drive in the UK.

A Thai licence is 'good' for a year, within which the holder then has to sit a UK test if they wish to continue driving in the UK.

[Tribal Fusion]

She does not have a Thai licence either, but a driving instructor told me today, that the theory test should be available in most languages, Thai?

[bifftastic]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring...est/dg_4022538

No it doesn't look like Thai is one of the 21 languages available.

[Tribal Fusion]

Oh well, she will have to improve her written English skills then. I already told her that, but she doesn't always listen to me, even though I'm usually 99% right, always allow 1% to room for error!

[colin244]

but she doesn't always listen to me

Why is that Tribal?

colin 244

[Tribal Fusion]

Stroppy Thai lady!?

[colin244]

Lots of them are and more than once a month

colin 244


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[Tribal Fusion]

Have a strop, sulk, silent, don't bother me and I'll talk to the dog, better conversation anyway, ruff, woof woof, ruff, woof woof!

[CWattana]

I recountwhat happened in 2003, guess that the driving test hasn’t changed much since then, by the way we are now back in Thailand.#

My wife’s Englishwas reasonable and her driving in Thailand was really good. However she spent six weeks learning the highway code and doing the test questions. The questions ared ifficult for Thais as many are double negative. Also the hazard perception,even I thought was a little strange and you needed practice.

She had six lessons with an instructor learning the ‘British way’ of driving. She soon learnt that driving down the outsideof a traffic queue and then giving the Thai smile didn’t get her anywhere.
She actually used our car for the lessons and the test. Luckily she only had an ‘L’ on for about one week. She did pass first time, we just left it a bit late organising things.

Someone is going to have to listen....................................

[colin244]

The silent treatment is a Thai ladies classic Tribal as many on here will agree

colin 244

[Tribal Fusion]

I know and those soaps/lakorns don't help.

[the_link]

...but a driving instructor told me today, that the theory test should be available in most languages, Thai?

Maybe, Tribal, but not in North Kent, as my wife sat the theory test in English. You'll have to check with the local theory test centre.

- - - Updated - - -

Edit: having looked at Biff's link, I'll take that as a no then, nationwide.

[bristolgeoff]

you can use it for one year when you arrive in the uk,but it is best to get a uk license.just like thailand if you chose to drive.easier on a thai license,in thailand of course

[the_link]

Slightly different perspective but similar question.

My wife has resided with me for over eighteen-months on settlement visa in the UK.

She has now over fifty-hours of driving lesson experience in the UK.

She has passed the UK theory driving test and taken two practical manual driving tests and failed both. Her driving is sound, but, unfortunately, she has fallen apart at the test stage.

Today, she has passed her Thai theory test and Thai driving test at the first attempt. Obviously, her new Thai licence is only valid for one-year, starting today.

We return to the UK the second week of August.

Can she legitimately gain credible insurance cover and drive in the UK for the next year until such time that she has passed the UK driving test.

We have no wish to subvert the UK standard or rules.

Notwithstanding, today was an eye-opener to the total lack of Thai driving standards.

[Tobias]

... My wife has resided with me for over eighteen-months on settlement visa in the UK. ... We return to the UK the second week of August ... Can she legitimately gain credible insurance cover and drive in the UK for the next year until such time that she has passed the UK driving test...

No. She must obtain a UK licence in order to drive in the UK. Her 12 months 'grace' period expired 12 months after she first arrived in the UK on her settlement visa. It doesn't matter that she has only just obtained a Thai licence.

[the_link]

Many thanks for your kind and very prompt response, Tobias. This is confirmation enough.

[ceebee]

I've read this thread with great interest and I wonder of someone can help me with my small problem. I returned to the UK a few months ago after spending 4 years in Thailand. I bought a fairly cheap car and insured it. Unfortunately because I had been away for so long I lost all my no claims bonuses. Through compare the market I found the cheapest 3rd party insurance at a whopping £350 from Southern Rock. My Thai wife joined me 3 months later clutching her settlement visa and Thai driving licence ( She's a very good driver- by Thai standards at least) I asked my insurers if I could add her to my cover and the answer was a resounding "no way"
I pay for the insurance monthly so I am wondering at the ramifications if I found a more "friendly" insurer and cancelled the current insurance. Any advise?

[Gary & Nok]

Best bet (IMO) is to read your policy in respect of cancellation as I am sure each company will be different. If you do cancel I would take great pleasure in telling them why you are doing so.

There is an insurance expert on the forum who will no doubt give his valued advice on your situation.

[galahad]

I take it you didn,t ask for fully comp insurance.... for me it has been considerably cheaper than 3rd party F&T,which was rather surprising. It was explained why..but I,ve forgotten the reasons now.
Driving a company car for 20+ yrs meant I couldn,t claim full,or any no-claims until I know longer drove a company car.Bizarre...but we all know what insurance companies are like.
I,ve been with the same insurance for 3/4 yrs now....insurance will no doubt be a couple hundred pound more even with another yrs no claims....until I phone up again and complain....its a familiar pattern...and they must rely on punters not being bothered to chase it up for them to try and treat us like idiots every year!