Having car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, even if you’re only planning on driving occasionally or are staying for a short time. A couple of weeks later I remember receiving my new licence in the post.”Īny downsides? “I do admit, it was a bit of an emotional break-up, so much so that I had to take a picture of my old Italian licence!” Do I need car insurance if I have a non-UK licence? He said: “There are several benefits for exchanging it I had long-term plans to stay in the UK so it made having a UK licence more practical, from insurance costs to speedier checks if pulled over during a routine stop, for example.”Īnd was it an easy process? “I just downloaded the form online, paid the exchange fee and sent the application along with my old driving licence. However, having moved to the UK with no plans to move elsewhere in the future, he decided to exchange it.
#Uk driving test rules full
Your new UK driving licence should arrive within three weeks.īogdan Marinescu had a full Italian driving licence and, as an EU licence holder, he was able to drive on it without restrictions until it expired. Order the application form D1 from the DVLA and send the form with the required documents (including your original driving licence) to the address on the form.
#Uk driving test rules how to
How to exchange your foreign driving licence for a UK one:
#Uk driving test rules code
You’re not required to take any driving lessons in the UK before taking the test, but you might find it helpful to get familiar with The Highway Code and brush up on your driving skills. If you want to carry on driving in the UK after this point, you’ll need to apply for a UK provisional licence and pass the UK practical test. If your licence was not issued in the EU or a designated country, the DVLA states you can drive any category of small vehicle (motorcycles, cars, vehicles up to 3,500kg such as vans, or with up to eight passenger seats) in the UK on your original full, valid licence for 12 months. The same rule applies for holders of driving licences issued in Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
You can exchange it up to five years after becoming a UK resident (if it hasn’t expired) without having to retake your driving test.
You can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a licence issued in a ‘designated country’ (Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe).Īfter this period, you must exchange your licence to keep on driving. After this time, you must exchange your licence. Your licence will expire when you turn 70, but if you’re 67 or over when you become a UK resident you can drive for three years. The same applies to those with a European Economic Community (EEC) licence. What’s more, there’s no need to exchange it or retake your driving test. If you hold a full licence issued in a country within the European Union you can drive in Great Britain using your original licence until it expires. To help you get on the road legally, we’ve found out what you need to know about each type of licence.
However, if you intend to stay for over a year or more, you might want to think about exchanging your licence for a UK one.ĭepending on the country your licence was issued in, you might have to re-sit your driving test in the UK. If you’re just visiting the UK for a short period of time you should be fine to use your foreign driving licence to drive. You need to be at least 17-years-old to drive a motorcar or motorcycle and age 21 for lorries and buses. However, they can be tougher still if your licence wasn't issued in the UK.įirst off, you’ll need to meet the minimum age requirements for driving in the UK. Rules around driving licences can be tough to understand, which is why we wrote a guide to explain all about the different types of driving licence out there. Can I drive in the UK with a foreign driving licence?
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