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TO DO list
When you first arrive in England, there are a lot of things that must be organized. Use this guide to help you do the following:
- Purchase a copy of the Highway Code at the local newsagents. It explains
UK driving rules, road signs, and markings.
- Register with the National Health Service. Do this through your General
Practitioner at the Surgery (check section entitled HEALTH CARE). About
one month later you will receive an NHS card and number which you will
need to produce for hospital treatment or if you move to another doctor's
practice. To reach NHS - Heatherwood, Ascot on the A329 - 01344 23333
or Wexham Park, Slough 01753 633000.
- You may need to register with the local police within seven days of
your arrival. If you are not sure whether you need to do this, check
with the local police or phone your embassy. Check your passport stamp
to see if it says you must register. As of May 1, 1998, Americans and
some other non-EEC nationals are no longer required to register.
- Go to the local Post Office to purchase a TV license. This is an annual
license that is required of all TV-owning households. One license per
household is required no matter how many TVs you own. Heavy fines are
imposed if you don't have one and regular neighbourhood monitoring occurs.
There is a Post Office in each village.
- Find electrical transformers if needed. The least expensive method
is to buy them from people who are moving back to America. "For
Sale" ads are listed in the women's club newsletters and also the
ACS newsletters. Transformers can also be bought in electrical supply
shops. Smaller ones may be found in your local hardware store (the ironmonger).
- Get a local telephone book. BT will deliver up to 2 books free of
charge.
Don't be afraid to ask several people the same questions. We have all
had different experiences and are here under different guidelines (tax
situations, company packages, different visas, etc.) and therefore we
sometimes have things apply to us that do not apply to others.
