If you plant to drive in the UK make sure you have a valid driving licence.
EC/EEA licence holders may drive in the UK as long as they have a full valid car licence until they are 70 or for three years after becoming resident here, whichever is the longer period. At the end of this period you must apply for a British licence (no driving test required). You may also apply for a British licence once you have become resident (normally considered to be after 185 days).
Non-EC/EEA licence holders must obtain a full British driving licence within 12 months of their arrival. If you hold a valid full driving licence (issued in your country of origin) or an International Driving Permit you may drive a car for up to 12 months in the UK, provided your full licence remains valid. The 12-month period commences on the date you take up residence in the UK or, if you are a visitor, on the date you last entered the UK.
After 12 months you will need to apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical driving tests to drive in Great Britain.
If your current driving licence was issued by Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man or a designated country (Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe) you need to exchange your licence after 12 months - you have 5 years since you become resident to do this.
Applying for a British driving licence
In order to qualify for a full licence you must first apply for a provisional driving licence and then pass the driving test. The provisional licence does not allow you to drive by yourself any longer than the original 12-month period. After the 12-month period, you are only allowed to drive if you hold a provisional licence, carry learner plates (L-plates) on your vehicle and are accompanied by a driver with a full licence in the relevant category for 3 years.
The test will take the form of a two-part theory test (multiple choice and hazard perception) and then a 30-minute driving test. Regardless of your driving experience, we recommend that you prepare for the theory test using the relevant book from DSA's Driving Skills series and the Highway Code. It is also advisable to take driving lessons in preparation for the test, especially if you are not accustomed to driving on the left side of the road.
You can apply for a provisional driving licence from DVLA online or by post filling in form D1 available from the DVLA form ordering service and certain Post Office branches.
