If you are just visiting UK you should be fine to use your foreign driving license to drive a car in the UK. On the other hand, if you came here and you are a resident (have permanent address, stay at least 185 days a year in the UK and intend to stay for at least 2 more years), you might want to exchange your license to the UK one.
Driving in Great Britain (GB) on a licence issued in a European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA) country
A valid community licence issued on the strength of a driving test within the EC/EEA, will allow you to drive in GB for a set period. Alternatively, you can exchange your licence for a British licence. Quick tip: Great Britain (GB) + North Ireland (NI) = United Kingdom(UK) ;)
EC/EEA member countries
Provided your licence remains valid you may drive in GB:
Car, motorcycle driving licence holders (ordinary driving licence):
- Until aged 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
Lorry, minibus, bus driving licence holders (vocational driving licence):
- Until aged 45 or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
- If you are aged over 45 (but under 65) until your 66th birthday or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the shorter period
- If you are aged 65 or over for 12 months after becoming resident
In order to continue driving after these periods, you must get a British driving licence.
Driving in Great Britain (GB) on a licence issued outside EC/EEA area
If you are the holder of an ordinary driving licence or a valid international driving permit, you can drive any category of small vehicle (up to 3.5 tonnes) shown on your licence. You will be able to drive for up to 12 months from the time you became a resident or up to 12 months from the date of coming to GB if you are a UK visitor. To ensure continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have been obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12-month period elapses.
Why should you change your foreign driving license to the UK one?
- UK driving license can be used as a proof of identity/signature and/or address. It has similar value to International ID cards, however, you cannot use your driving license as a identification proof in airports and some other places, so make sure you double check if it is accepted or not!
- Most companies offer cheaper car insurance for full UK driving license holders
- You must change your license if you are from EC/EEA member state aged 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
- You must change your license if you are from any other country after 12 months of staying in the UK
Things to note
- You will NOT get your old driver license back after you exchange it into the UK one!
- You will NOT need to pass UK test if you are eligible for exchange, you just fill in the form, pay and you can enjoy your new license
- You will NOT be able to change your license back into your foreign one! In most cases you will need to pass a driving test in your home country again
- You will NOT lose your accumulated driving experience on record, your new license will have the original pass date from your old license (great for getting cheaper car insurance)
How to exchange your foreign driving license to the UK one
If you are from EC/EEA member state OR: Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
- Complete the application form D1, available here or from Post Office® branches
- Enclose original identity documentation confirming your identity
- Enclose one passport sized colour photograph
- Enclose the fee of £50.00, cheque or postal orders made payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’
- Enclose your current driving licence (this will be returned to the issuing licensing authority)
- Send your completed application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT
- Your new driving licence will normally be issued within 15 working days from the day the DVLA receives your application
If you are from Northern Ireland
Same as for EC/EEA, but:
- If you have a paper licence or your name has changed on your photocard licence you will need to enclose original identity documentation confirming your identity.
- No fee is required.
If you are from Gibraltar or a Designated Country
You can only exchange your current driving licence for up to five years from when you become resident, provided your licence remains valid. Follow same procedure as for EC/EAA countries AND note:
Japanese or Republic of Korea driving licences
Your Japanese or Republic of Korea driving licence will need to be accompanied by an official translation. They are available for a fee from:
- The Consulate General of Japan at 101–104 Piccadilly, London, W1V 9FN or 2 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7HW
- The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, 60 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ
South African driving licence
Your South African driving licence that is a part of a book of life, will need to be accompanied by a letter of authority from the South African licensing authority. The licence part will be stamped to confirm the exchange and the book will be returned to you. If you are exchanging your South African photocard driving licence, this will be returned to the South African licensing authority.
Canadian driving licence
When exchanging your Canadian driving licence you will only be able to drive automatic vehicles. To be able to drive manual vehicles, you will need to provide acceptable proof from the issuing authority or an approved driving school showing that a manual car test was passed.
Any other country
- You will not be able to exchange your driving licence for a British one, however, you will be able to drive in Great Britain (GB) on your full, valid driving licence for up to 12 months from the time you first become resident
- You will need to stop driving once the 12 months are over
- If you wish to continue driving in GB you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test.
Visiting another country with your UK driving license
You may use your UK licence for driving in other European Community/European Economic Area [EC/EEA] member states. However, you should note that while the minimum age for driving a car in GB is 17 individual member states may apply their own age restrictions for entitlements. Check with a motoring organisation if you want to drive in a non-EC/EEA country. They will advise you whether you need an International Driving Permit.
International driving permit
An international driving permit (IDP) is a formal document issued to visitors to another country which translates details of a driving licence into several languages, enabling foreign authorities to interpret the driving entitlements held, their validity periods and the identity of the holder. They are issued by the Automobile Association (The AA) and Royal Automobile Club (RAC).
To get an IDP, you must be resident in GB, have passed a driving test and be over 18 years of age. The fee for a permit is £5.50.
UPDATE
Now you can use a new interactive tool to check if you can exchange your license to the UK one, just follow the link here.
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Hello there, i have a question, hope you can answer it please, I came here in the uk to join my wife who is a work permit holder as her dependent last december 14,2012. I am a bit confuse about the law of driving in the uk with non gb licence non exchangeable about coming to britain to become a resident, its stated in the website that ” you can drive in britain for 12 months after becoming a resident” my question is when does it start? Does it start on the the day you entered the uk? Or does it start 185 days after ypu have been in the uk? Thank you all the best..
This depends on the circumstances, but if you came to the country not to study and not with the aim of staying and living here for unlimited time then it starts from 185 days since you came…
I live in England, I lost my driver’s license issued in the Czech Republic would like to apply for a UK driving license, it is possible
You cannot exchange a foreign license if it was lost. You have to contact your local embassy to get a replacement…
Hi i am British and i live in south Korea, i exchanged my British license for a Korean one can i use my korean license to hire a car in the UK when i visit for month?
Yes, but not all places will accept your license, always call the rental company first to check if they are happy with your license before booking!
Thanks for your reply very helpful. Do you happen to know which ones will rent a car on a Korean license?
Frustrated Canuck, I have the same issue every single time I renew my car and motorbike insurance. I got my driving licence in another EU country in 1990 and I have been driving/riding in the UK since 1995, however I did not swap my licence from EU to UK until about 6 years ago. On the back of my licence it clearly states that the issue year was 1990, yet insurance companies still insist on the swap date! I do not remember the swap date (I suppose I could find out from DVLA) but it should not matter, they should take the date on the back as the start date! I am worried that this is just the kind of technicality the insurance companies would use so that they do not have to pay out in case of an accident. My current problem company is Hastings.
Hi,
I want to exchange my Lithuanian license to uk. I have A;B and C categories. C stands for HGV class 2. Which form I need to fill? Thanks
There is only one form (ask for it in your local Post Office) regardless of your current categories. The replacement will have same categories once exchanged.
Hi,
I am from Romania, and I am living in uk for 3 years now in 2014. I am still driving with my licence from Romania, is that legal or I have to change that now.i have to mantion that the address on licece is the one from Romania. Can I only change the address and keep my licence from Romania?
Thank you
You can drive with any valid EEA issued license until you are 70.
HI, I have had an Indian Driving License for the last 25 years. I recently moved back to the UK and am a British citizen I have taken the UK driving test and passed. Will my new Uk license show that I have been driving for the past 25 years. This is important for insurance purposes.
I am afraid it will not…
Hi Admins,
My question is a slightly different from the topic. I haven’t got a driving licence yet I’m just learning to drive and I am already about to have my first (and hopefully last) theory test. I have been living in the UK for more than 2 years. At the moment I’m an au pair (babysitter who lives with the host family and get pocket money weekly) in West Sussex I registered here to the local GP but my official address (which has been given for NINo) is in South Yorkshire where I lived before. I applied my provisional driving licence for the address in South Yorkshire but I would like to take the theory test (and later on the practical test) in West Sussex where I am currently living. Do you think it is possible and allowed?
Thank you for your reply in advance.
I am sure there is no difference in which city you take your exam as long as you pass it ;)
Hello,
I have a European driving license and I am a UK resident since nearly 3 years.
I might move back to Italy next year so I am not sure if exchange my driving license.
What would the consequences be if I do not exchange my European driving license to a UK driving license.
Many Thanks
None at all ;) If you are planning to come back, do not bother changing…
Thanks a lot for your reply Mr Admin. What would happen if I get stopped by police in UK after 3 years I have been here? Basically what would the consequences be for me if I keep driving after 3 years I have been living in UK?
Thanks again!
Let’s read the rule again: You can drive with license issue in EEA country (list above) until aged 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period. THE LONGER means that unless you are 70 years old, you can drive until you are 70. If you ARE over 70 year old now, you can only drive for 3 years.
Hi,
I want to ask, if i want to change my cypriot licence to full uk for bus/lorry, i must sent to dvla my driving licence and my PCV/LGV cypriot ones or just the driving licence?
Hi
I have been living in the UK for three years and 4 months. I left the UK once in this period for about 4 months and came back to a new address in 10.2011.
Am I an UK resident for 3 years 4 months or since 10.2012, means 2 years, 4 months?
In your texts before you write “you must change your EU licence” but you replied to Flori and Fabio that they should not bother.
I have a full EU licence and would be reluctant to change it if I don’t have to. Especially because I plan to go back to my country of origin in some nearer future.
Am I still allowed to drive with this EU licence?
Many many thanks for your reply!
Hi Maria, please do not get mixed up with EEA (EU) licenses and non EU licenses. If your license is issues in EEA country (list above) you do not need to change it unless you are 70 years old, especially if you are planning to go back to your country in the future.
PS. you are resident for 3 years and 4 months, it only resets if are away for over half a year.
Thank you very much! Yes, my licence has been issued in the EU. You helped me a lot!
I have a friend who has come to the UK from Hungary. He has a valid Hungarian license which includes HGV. He has been told that if he changes his license to a UK license he would have to wait 6 months before he will be legal to drive HGV’s in the UK. Is this Correct?
Who told him this? If it was DVLA – then they must be right as they create new rules. Calling them again and asking would help to clarify this.
Hello….I live in uk since last 3 and half year.recently I went back home country I got my bangladeshi driving licence.i heard that I csn drive in uk with the same licence for 12 month…is it true?
Because you lived in UK for 3 and half years already, you cannot drive with that license anymore, even though it is brand new license.
Hi, I have a question, I came here in the UK to study, I have got visa “visitor” to 11 month, then i went to my country to change my visa to Tier 4 , so can drive in Britain for 12 months after I came by new visa or from I entered UK by visa “visitor” .
This is complicated…Being a student makes you a resident because you are never away from the UK for more than 6 months a year, so legally you can only drive 12 months from the first entry only
Hi!I have a question, I have passed in Latvia ONLY theoretical test, but in September im going to study in UK, so I dont have a time to take driving lessons but im planing to have them in UK. Will be latvian theoretical test valid in UK? Or I have to pass again test in UK and only then take driving lessons? Thank you
Hi – unfortunately you will need to pass your theory again in the UK.
Hi,
I am a UK resident and have a German driver’s licence. I tried to exchange my German licence into a British one but the DVLA rejected my application. I informed them that I passed the driver’s test in the USA and therefore they won’t let me transfer my German driver’s licence. The DVLA wants me to do the theory and practical test. Is there any way around it?
Hi, unfortunately there is not. You will need to take tests again.
Hello, I was trying to find but couldn’t, so maybe you can help me. I came from Lithuania, my driving license expired 3 months ago. Can i renew it to UK license? living here for almost 3 years. Thank you
Hi Vydmantas, no unfortunately you will need to renew your driving licence in Lithuania or through Lithuanian Embassy in London before you can apply for the UK one.
Hi,
I would like to exchange my Ukrainian driving licence to UK on, do I still have to pass theory test and driving test or any changes been made in Law
Thanks
Hi alla, yes you do need to pass tests.