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UK Driving Licence  

Within your first year in the UK you may have to take a UK driving test before a full UK licence can be issued. You may, however, only need to exchange your current licence after 3 years. The rules do vary according to your normal country of residence where your current licence was issued, so please check out the information provided here to ensure that you follow the appropriate procedures to comply with the UK driving laws.

   This page explains what you need to do, the forms that are needed, where to send the forms, and a summary of procedures applicable to your country of residence.

Further information can be found in Section 14 of leaflet D100 ‘What you need to know about driving licences’ obtainable from post offices or by reference to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website.

    What do you need to do ?

Step 1 Click here to find out the rules that apply to you. 
A summary of these rules is also provided below in 'Summary by Country of Residence'.

Steps 2 and 3 will usually only be applicable if you need to take a driving test. 


Step 2

Apply for a Provisional Driving Licence.  Forms needed are D1 and D750 obtainable from post offices. Leaflet D100, available from post offices, also provides advice. 

Click here
to find out the fee for a licence.

UK residents with a Provisional Licence are usually learner drivers who must display
L plates, can only drive while supervised by a qualified driver, and cannot drive on motorways. You'll be pleased to know that these rules do not apply to new residents who are experienced drivers and have valid driving licences for their own country.  

 

Step 3 Book some lessons with a driving school to help you understand what is needed to pass the driving test. 

Your driving school will help you arrange the test.

Once you have passed your driving test (theory and practical) you should exchange your test pass certificate for a full licence as soon as possible.

 

  What forms are needed to obtain a UK licence?

Forms needed are D1 and D750 obtainable from post offices. 
Leaflet D100, available from post offices, also provides advice.

D1 Application for a driving licence
D750 Application for a photocard driving licence

   Where do I send the forms ?

  DVLA, SWANSEA - Check below for the correct postcode.

Exchange of foreign licences = SA99 1BT
First provisional licence

=

SA99 1AD
First full licence for cars and motorbikes 

=

SA99 1BJ
Change of name/address

=

SA99 1BN
Exchange paper licence for photo card

=

SA99 1BU
Renewal at age 70 or over

=

SA99 1AA

  How long will it take?

Allow at least 3 weeks for your licence to arrive. 
If your licence has not arrived in this time, contact:

Customer Enquiries-

Address Drivers, DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL
Phone 0870 240 0009
Fax 01792 783071
Email drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

   Summary by Country of Residence

Country When you arrive When & what to do to Renew/exchange a licence

European Community / European Economic Area and Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland

A valid licence will authorise you to drive cars, motorcycles, and small vehicles until aged 70 or for 3 years after becoming resident whichever is the longer period. You can apply to exchange your licence for a UK one at any time.

 

After 3 years a GB driving licence must be applied for. A driving test is not necessary.

Click here for information applicable to these countries.

Complete forms D1 and D750 and send them to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with the fee 

Click here to find out how to apply for a licence and how much it costs.

Northern Ireland

You can exchange a full Northern Ireland driving licence for a full UK licence or you can use your licence here until it runs out. When your licence expires you may apply for a UK licence. A driving test is not necessary.

Click here for information applicable to Northern Ireland.

Complete forms D1 and D750 and send them to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with your licence and the appropriate fee

Click here to find out how to apply for a licence and how much it costs.

 

Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man

You may drive in Great Britain for up to 12 months from the time you became resident. To continue driving after 12 months your licence must have been exchanged for the UK equivalent. It can be exchanged for a UK one provided it has been valid within the last 10 years. A driving test is not necessary.

Click here for information applicable to these areas.

Complete forms D1 and D750 and send them to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with your licence and the fee

Click here to find out how to apply for a licence and how much it costs.

 

Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Cyprus, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe

Provided your full licence remains valid, you can drive small vehicles for 12 months from the time you became resident. To continue driving after 12 months your licence must have been exchanged for the British equivalent. A driving test will be required except for residents from Gibraltar.

Click here for information applicable to these countries.

To exchange your licence for a full UK one, you should complete forms D1 and D750 (available from post offices) and send them to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with your licence and the fee.

Click here to find out how to apply for a licence and how much it costs.

 

All other countries

Provided your full licence remains valid, you can drive any category of small vehicle shown on your licence for up to 12 months from the time you became resident.  You will need to take a driving test within one year. 

Click here for information applicable to these countries. 

Obtain a provisional UK licence and pass a driving test before the 12-month period elapses. During this 12 month period you will not be subject to normal provisional licence conditions e.g. displaying `L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or being precluded from motorways. If you do not pass the driving test during this 12 month period then provisional licence conditions will apply.

Apply for a Provisional Licence by completing forms D1 and D750 (available from the Post Office) and send them to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD with the fee.

Click here to find out how to apply for a licence and how much it costs.

Once you have passed both theory and practical parts of the driving test you may then apply for your full licence.

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