Obtaining a UK Driver’s Licence
By Getting established

Are you able to drive in the UK on your current licence? No? How will you go about obtaining a UK Driver’s Licence?

People over 17 years of age, with a valid driving permit issued elsewhere in the world, may drive a passenger vehicle in the UK for up to 12 months.

After you’ve driven in the UK for 12 months you maybe interested in exchanging your native licence for a UK Driver’s Licence. Reasons to consider such a change include – lower excesses available on car insurance, cheaper car insurance premiums, you would like to use a service like ZipCar, you’ve been in the UK longer than 12 months.

To exchange your foreign driver’s licence for a UK Driver’s Licence, you need to meet the following criteria

  • You hold a valid driver’s licence
  • you are a resident of Great Britain (You’re normally a resident if you have a permanent address in Great Britain that you’ve lived in for at least 185 days)
  • you passed your test in one of the following countries Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
  • You haven’t been a resident of the UK in excess of 5 years.  
  • You are able to pay the £43 fee

Answer some questions online at https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence and you’ll be given clear instructions on what you need to do to get your UK Driver’s Licence.