UK
Driving Licence
Most
new residents from overseas with a valid driving licence will have
a least 1 year before they have to conform to the UK requirements.
Many, but not all, will have to take a UK driving test. Those that
do must apply for a provisional licence before the end of their first
year in the UK; this will cost £27.50.
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. These rules do not
apply to new residents with valid driving licences from overseas.
Once you have passed the driving test the provisional licence will
be exchanged for a full licence at a cost of £12.50.
A summary for each country is provided on this website but you may
also like to refer to Section 14 of leaflet D100 ‘What you need
to know about driving licences’ obtainable from post offices or
to the DVLA website http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
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, provides advice.
| D1 |
Application
for a driving licence |
|
D750 |
Application for a photocard driving licence |
Where
to 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 and then if your licence
has not arrived in this time, contact:
Customer Enquiries-
Summary
by Country of Residence
| Country |
When
you arrive |
When
& what to do to Renew/exchange a licence |
|
|
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 obtained.
Complete
forms D1 and D750 and send to: -
DVLA,
Swansea, SA99 1BT with the fee of £27.50
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
A
driving test is not necessary.
|
|
|
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. Cost is
£17.50
Complete
forms D1 and D750 and send to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with
your licence and the £17.50 fee
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
A
driving test is not necessary.
|
|
|
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.
Complete
forms D1 and D750 and send to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with
your licence and the £17.50 fee
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
A
driving test is not necessary.
|
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.
To
exchange your licence for a full UK one, you should complete
a D1 and D750 application form (available from post offices)
and return it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT with your licence
and the £17.50 fee.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
A
driving test will be required except for residents from Gibraltar.
|
|
|
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. |
If
documentary evidence can be provided that a test has been passed
with manual transmission then a licence will be issued with
both manual and automatic entitlement otherwise licences will
be limited to automatics only. A driving test will not be required.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm |
|
|
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. |
Obtain
a provisional UK licence and pass a driving test before the
12-month period elapses. 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.
Apply
for a Provisional Licence by completing a D1 and D750 application
form (available from the Post Office) and return it to DVLA,
Swansea, SA99 1AD with the fee of £27.50
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm
Once
you have passed both theory and practical parts of the driving
test, you may then apply for your full licence.
The
fee for changing a provisional for a full licence is £12.50
|
3.6.2 - 1.0
|
