Driving in the UK Doesn’t Work the Same Way as in the US
The UK Uses Mostly Manual Cars
In the UK, many people still opt to use a manual transmission. In the US, almost every car is automatic. So, In fact, out of all the different car models in the US, only 13% of them even come with a manual option. This can make it hard for a lot of Americans to drive in the UK, as many don’t know how to drive a stick shift.
In the UK, they also drive on the left. So even if the American citizen knows how to drive a manual, the stick shift is on the wrong side of the vehicle.
Plus American Licenses Don’t Last for Very Long
Even if you have a license in the US, it won’t help you for long in the UK. No matter when your American driver’s license expires, you only have one year in the UK before you have to pass their driver’s test. These tests are notoriously difficult and much harder than the average American driver’s test. Therefore, it is important to learn how exactly the UK driving laws work and practice what will be on the test.
Businesses Can Close Much Earlier Than Americans Are Often Used To
In America, it is common for grocery stores and restaurants to stay open late into the night, if not 24 hours. In the UK, most pubs, restaurants and bars close at 11pm. Grocery stores in the UK meanwhile by law are only allowed to be open for 6 hours on Sundays, severely limiting your shopping time.
This can be difficult to adjust to from the US, where you can easily run to the grocery store for a forgotten dinner item or to a restaurant for a late-night snack.
Americans May Struggle or Forget to Keep Up With Their Us Tax Filing
Living in another country while trying to file your US taxes can be complicated. You may have to pay taxes in your original state as well as foreign taxes in your new country, too.
All Americans have to file U.S. taxes every year, reporting their worldwide income, from wherever in the world they are based, including Americans living in the UK.
All of your income in the UK also falls under IRS tax as well as UK tax. Some things in the UK (such as savings plans or pensions) that might not be taxed or considered ‘tax-free’ may still be taxed under the US rules. Having to learn both systems and what counts for each country can be very confusing.
Conclusion
There are many confusing parts of living in the UK after living in the US. Stores, cars, and taxes all work differently, making getting a driver’s license or paying yearly taxes confusing. There are many fun and exciting parts about living in the UK, but these are the top three headaches most people say they experience and didn’t think about before moving.