There are a number of factors that determine whether you can drive in the UK with a foreign driving licence. The rules can change depending on where your licence was issued and if you meet the minimum age requirements for driving in the UK.
As a UK resident with an international licence, it can be confusing. We'll explore the rules and help you know what you need to hit the road in the UK legally.
Can I drive in the UK on a non-GB licence?
Yes, but first of all you must be aware of the rules and restrictions around different licence types. You'll only be able to drive vehicles that correspond to the class or category indicated on your licence.
There are minimum age restrictions for driving in the UK. You must be at least 17 to drive a car or motorcycle and at least 21 to get behind the wheel of a lorry or bus. You must also have a valid insurance policy in place for your vehicle. Third party cover is the legal minimum level of insurance in the UK.
With that in mind, whether you can drive in the UK with a foreign driving licence depends on two factors:
- The length of your stay in the UK
- The country where your licence was issued
You can check whether your licence is valid in the UK by inputting your details on the UK government website. The rules are slightly different in Northern Ireland, so you'll need to check first before driving.
Which country's driving licence is valid in the UK?
If you hold a full licence issued in a country within the EU, you can drive in the UK. For example, if you live in the Republic of Ireland, you can drive using your original licence until it expires.
Beyond the EU, you're also free to drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a licence issued in a 'designated country'. These countries and territories include:
- 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
- Zimbabwe
The designated country ruling also applies to licences issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey.
You're still free to drive any category of small vehicle (up to 3,500kg) with a licence not issued in the EU or a designated country. You can use a valid licence for up to 12 months, but beyond that you must apply for a provisional licence and pass a practical test.
How to exchange an EU driving licence for a UK licence
Make sure you have all the required documents to hand including your original driving licence. You'll need to complete the D1 application form from the DVLA and send it to a specified address along with your documents. After completing the process you should have your new UK driving licence sent back to you within three weeks.
Bear in mind, you don't need to exchange or retake your driving test if you have a valid driving licence issued in the EU or European Economic Area (EEA). You're free to drive until you turn 70 years old, after which point you just need to exchange your European licence for a British one.
If you have a licence issued by a designated country, you'll have 5 years from when you become a UK resident to exchange your licence. By doing this you can avoid having to retake a practical driving test in the UK.
How long can you drive in the UK with an international licence?
As a tourist you can drive in the UK for up to 12 months from the day you last entered the country. This is the case even if your driving licence wasn't issued in the EU, EEA, or a designated country.
But if you want to continue driving after 12 months, you'll have to apply for a UK provisional licence and pass the UK practical test.
If you're deciding on bringing your car into the UK permanently, you'll need to consider other regulations such as providing information to HMRC. It's also important you register your car with the DVLA and apply for road tax.
Can a non-UK resident have a British driving licence?
No, only UK residents can apply for a UK driving licence. Essentially you'll need to prove that you've been living in a UK address for 185 days within the past 12 months.
Driving as a tourist in the UK
There's plenty to explore in the UK, so driving is a pretty useful way of getting around. If you're staying for less than 12 months, you may consider hiring a vehicle for your trip.
Having vehicle insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, you must have third party cover at a minumum. You could have a level of insurance cover included when you hire a car, but it's also worth considering car hire excess insurance.
There are flexible options available to you with temporary cover available from 1 hour up to 28 days. If you’re planning on using a car from someone who lives in the UK, they could add you as a named driver on their policy.
If you have an existing car insurance policy abroad, it's worth checking whether you may already have cover to drive in the UK. You don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the UK, but you may be required to have one when driving in other countries.
Typically your driving licence should set out what you're permitted to drive through codes corresponding to categories of vehicle. You'll need to be aware of this as driving a vehicle you're not entitled to drive could result in a conviction if you're caught. You may not be permitted to drive a vehicle in excess of 3,500kg for example, so you should always check before driving.
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