For Foreign Residents

Driving in GB as a visitor or a new resident? This page of the website we will give you the licence information required to drive on British roads.

 

Driving theory test candidates will no longer be able to use foreign language voiceovers and interpreters during their theory test from 7 April 2014. This is to ensure that all new drivers will fully understand the United Kingdom traffic information and emergency updates allowing for safer travel. This also aids in reducing the amount of fraud.

Check out the new licence checker tool.

If you have a valid full licence issued as a result of a test passed in any EU country you need not  exchange it for a GB one. Provided your EU licence remains valid you can drive in GB until age 70.

EU Countries as follows;

  • Austria,Belgium,Bulgaria,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,Germany,
  • Greece,Hungary,Ireland,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,
  • Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,Poland,Portugal,
  • Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,
  • Liechtenstein,Iceland,Norway.

You can also exchange a full valid car licence issued from any of the following countries:

  • Australia,Barbados,British Virgin Islands,Canada,Falkland Islands,Gibralta,Hong Kong,Japan,Monaco,New Zealand,Republic of Korea,Singapore,South Africa,Switzerland,Zimbabwe.

Driving in GB as a visitor or a new resident? This page of the website we will give you the licence information required to drive on British roads.

You will not be issued with a full GB licence unless you are normally resident in this country. Normal residence means the place where you normally live and have personal or occupational ties. If you have moved to the UK after recently being permanently resident in another state of the EU, you must have been normally resident or have been studying in the UK for six months in the previous 12 months prior to your application for a driving test. You may be asked to provide evidence of this.

Special notice for Polish nationals:

Special notice if you speak Hindi,Urdu,Gujarati or Punjabi:

You cannot exchange licences from countries other than EU or designated ones. However you can drive here using your current full non GB licence or International Driving Permit for up to one year. If you wish to take a driving test, you will need to apply for a GB provisional licence using application form D1.

For information on ( how to apply for a GB provisional licence ) see the previous web site page  Licence applications  or visit www.direct.gov.uk/motoring