A Guide To Exchange Your Foreign Driving Licence For A UK Licence

Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a UK licence is crucial if you plan to live or work in the UK.  The process ensures that drivers meet the safety and competency standards. Understanding the rules and necessary documentation is essential whether you are from an EU or non-EU country. In this blog, we have mentioned the steps in exchanging a foreign driving licence for a UK one.

Difference Between EU And Non-EU Driver Licence Holder

Steps To Exchange Foreign Driving Licence For UK

Check Your Eligibility 

Before switching your driving licence, make sure you are eligible to do so. Suppose you are a resident of the UK and have a valid driving license from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. In that case, you can exchange the licence for the UK. 

But if you are from outside these countries, you need to check with teh UK government website to see if you are eligible. Many countries have agreements with the UK that allow for licence exchange; others require you to take a UK driving test.  

Convert Foreign Driving Licence Into UK Driving Licence 

The process to obtain a foreign licence to the UK is to visit the GOV.UK website and request an application. It will be mailed to the UK address. Most applicants need to submit Order Form D1, while others require more than one form. For instance, if you live in Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you also need D4. 

Once you receive your application forms, the next step is to submit your documents with the application. It includes:

• D1 application form or any other required forms.
• Travel document, passport, or national identification card.
• Passport size colour photo.
• Current driver licence.
• If you are from  South Korea or Japan, provide a certified driving licence translation of the current one. 
• Pay £43 by cheque or postal order.

Then, send your application to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT 

Wait For The New Licence

After you have sent the application,  wait for DVLA to process it. It may take time, depending on the volume of applications they get. Usually, it takes around two to three weeks.  Once the application is approved, you will get your new UK driving licence. Check all your details and read teh instructions carefully before you go for a drive in the UK. 

Additional Tips For Foreign Licence Holders To Drive In The UK

Familiarise Yourself With UK Driving Laws 

The legislation in the UK  may differ from your country. So before you start driving, familiarise yourself with the UK driving rules. For instance, drivers in the UK drive on the left side of the road, and roundabouts are popular. You need to protect your safety and others on the road. 

Understand The Codes

After getting your UK driving licence, know the rules and restrictions. You will get all the information and codes on the back side of the licence. It will tell you what vehicles you can drive and some additional conditions you must follow in the UK. 

Take A Driving Course

If you are unsure about your driving abilities, consider taking a driving course. It may help you become acquainted with UK traffic laws and road signs. 

Check Your Insurance 

In the UK, automobile insurance is mandatory. If you are driving your car, get auto insurance to meet the UK legal driving licence requirements for expats. But if you have rented a car, ensure the insurance matches the requirements for legal driving in the UK with a foreign licence. 

Eligibility To Exchange To A UK Driving Licence

The eligibility to exchange a foreign driving licence translation for the UK  depends on the country that issued the original licence. 

Countries In The EU Or EEA

If you have a driving licence from a country with the EU or EEA, you can drive on your original licence until you are 70. After that, you must exchange it for a UK driving licence without taking a test. 

Designated Countries

The UK government has designated some countries outside the EU and EEA where you can exchange the licence without any test. The countries include –

• New Zealand
• Monaco
• Singapore
• Republic of Korea
• Republic of North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

So, if you hold a licence from these countries, you can drive in the United Kingdom for up to 12 months. Then, you need to exchange it. You will have five years after becoming a resident to exchange your licence.

 However, the list can change, so checking with the DVLA to see if your country is included is best.

Residents of Northern Ireland

If you are a resident of Northern Ireland, you can exchange the driver’s licence from any country for Northern Ireland without any test. The rules are very easy. If your licence was issued on or after 1st January 1976, you can exchange it without paying anything.  

Residents of Jersey, The Isle of Man or Guernsey

For residents of Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you can exchange your driving licence if your licence was issued on or after 1st April 1991. But here, you must pay the standard exchange fee and provide a medical report D4 filled by a doctor.  

Other Countries

If you hold a driving licence from any other country not included in the above list, you must take a UK driving test to get a UK driving licence. Until then, Driver and Vehicle Licence Agency allows you to drive vehicles weighing  3.5 tonnes with eight passenger seats for 12 months. 

Vocational Licence Holders

If you want to exchange your vocational licence for a UK driving licence, fill out an application for a lorry or bus(D2). If your licence was issued from the EU/EEA, you must provide a D4  form if you are 45 or above.

You can still drive in the United Kingdom for 12 months using those licences. After that, you must exchange it for a UK vocational driving licence. If you hold a vocational licence from Australia or Canada, you may exchange for UK vocational driving licence without taking any test.

Some rules may vary depending on the country. Vocational driver’s licence holders not included in the above list must take a driving test to get a UK vocational driving licence.

Rules For Exchanging Foreign Driving Licence

Canada:

Canadians have to prove they have passed the driving test in a manual vehicle. 

New Zealand:

People from New Zealand must prove that they passed the driving exam in a manual car, or the government will not allow them to drive a manual vehicle in the UK. 

Japan:

Japanese need to send their driving licence with translation, which requires a fee from the Consulate General of Japan at 101-104 Piccadilly, W1V 9FN or 2 Melville  Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7HW.

South Korea:

These people also need a translation service to translate and send the licence. The Republic of Korea Embassy, London, 60 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AJ, offers it for a fee. 

Faroe Island and South Korean Licence Holders:

These people cannot transfer their entitlement to ride motorcycles from their current foreign licence to the UK. They need to take a theory and practical test in the UK. 

South Africa:

People with South African licences will not be able to exchange them if they are not in the new credit card style. 

Note that an international driving permit in the UK is not exchangeable. 

Get A Driving Licence In The UK 

After six months of becoming a UK resident, you can apply for a Great Britain (GB) licence. To do so, you need to take a theory and practical driving test to get an issued driving licence.

Conclusion 

You can successfully exchange your driving license without unnecessary delays or complications by following the steps outlined, from checking your eligibility to submitting the necessary documentation.