If you hold a foreign driving licence, the rules on how long you can use it in the UK vary depending on the country where your licence was issued and whether you are visiting or have become a resident. Most visitors can drive on their valid foreign licence for the duration of their stay. However, once you take up UK residency, a 12-month countdown usually begins, during which you may continue driving on your foreign licence before needing to exchange it or take a UK test.
1. Visiting vs becoming resident
- If you are visiting the UK (i.e., not a UK resident) you can usually drive on your valid foreign licence (with or without an International Driving Permit, depending on country) for the duration of your visit.
- If you become resident in the UK, different rules apply — the “12 months” rule often kicks in from the date you become resident (or from the date you last entered).
2. Countries whose licences you can exchange without a test (so-called “designated countries/territories”)
If your licence was issued in one of the UK’s designated countries or territories, then you may be able to exchange it for a UK licence without needing to do a UK driving test.
Some of the designated countries/territories include:
Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada (provinces/territories), Cayman Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe.
Key rules for these licences:
- You may still drive on your foreign licence for the first 12 months from becoming resident (assuming the licence is valid) without exchanging.
- You must apply to exchange it within a specified timeframe (often up to 5 years of becoming resident) for a UK licence if you wish to continue driving using that entitlement.
- The categories of vehicle you are allowed to drive when you exchange will normally match those on your original foreign licence (e.g., manual/automatic, vehicle class).
3. Licences issued in an EU / EEA country or Switzerland
If your licence was issued in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, the rules differ somewhat.
Key points:
- You can drive on that licence (in Great Britain) until:
- the licence expires; or
- you reach age 70 (in many cases); or
- you have been resident in the UK for 3 years (whichever is longer) for ordinary licences.
- However: if the EU/EEA licence was originally obtained by exchanging a non-EU licence, then the “12 months” limit may apply instead.
Example:
If you obtained an EU country licence in the normal way, you could drive until you turn 70 or until the licence’s expiry (if sooner). But if you had swapped in a non-EU licence for that EU licence, you might only have 12 months from taking up UK residence.
4. Licences issued in other countries (non-EU/EEA/non-designated)
If your licence comes from a country not covered by the exchange-without-test group and not an EU/EEA/Swiss licence, then:
- You may drive on that foreign licence for up to 12 months from the date you become residentcin the UK.
- After that 12-month period, to continue driving legally you must apply for a UK licence which will typically mean taking both the UK theory test and the practical driving test.
5. What means “becoming resident”?
Residency in this context typically means that you have started living in the UK and your main home is in the UK. The exact date that triggers “become a resident” may depend on individual circumstances — for example when you establish your usual place of residence, tax status, etc. It’s the date from which the 12-month or exchange timeframe begins.
6. How to exchange your licence (if eligible)
If you are eligible to exchange your foreign licence for a UK licence (for example you’re from a designated country) here are usual steps:
- Check the official guidance on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website to confirm your country is on the list.
- Get the correct application form (for Great Britain this is often the D1 form) and complete it.
- Provide your foreign driving licence, proof of identity (passport or equivalent), proof of UK residency (utility bill, bank statement), and a passport-style photograph.
- Pay the fee (in Great Britain the permitted fee is listed on the gov.uk site).
- Send your application off and await the UK licence to arrive.
