Can I exchange my foreign driving licence for a UK one?

It depends on which country issued your licence. If your licence was issued by a designated country (including all EU/EEA countries and several others such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea), you can exchange it without taking a UK driving test. If your country is not on the list, you must apply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests.

How long can I drive on a foreign licence in the UK?

If you are a UK resident, you can drive on a valid foreign licence for 12 months from the date you became resident. After 12 months, you must have a UK licence. Visitors can drive on their foreign licence for the duration of their visit (up to 12 months).

How much does it cost to exchange a foreign driving licence?

The fee for exchanging a foreign driving licence is £43 (online application). If you need to take the UK driving test instead, the theory test costs £23 and the practical test costs £62, plus driving lessons.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in the UK?

You do not need an IDP if your licence is in English. If your licence is in another language, carrying an IDP is recommended, although it is not a strict legal requirement for all nationalities. An IDP helps police and car rental companies verify your licence.

Exchange a Foreign Driving Licence for a UK Licence

UK residents can drive on a foreign licence for 12 months. After that, you need a UK licence. If your licence was issued by a designated country, you can exchange it directly. Otherwise, you must take the UK driving test. The exchange costs £43 and takes a few weeks to process.

The 12-Month Rule

Once you become a UK resident, you can use your valid foreign driving licence to drive in the UK for up to 12 months. After this period, you must have a full UK driving licence to continue driving legally.

The 12-month period starts from the date you became ordinarily resident in the UK, not from the date you first drove here. For most visa holders, this means the date you entered the UK on your visa. See our driving licence for visa holders guide for more detail.

If your foreign licence expires during the 12-month period, you can no longer drive on it. You would need to exchange it or take the UK test before the expiry date.

Designated Countries: Direct Exchange

The UK has agreements with certain countries that allow a direct licence exchange without taking any UK driving tests. The full list of designated countries is on GOV.UK. It includes:

All EU and EEA countries: Including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Romania, and all other member states.
Australia (full licence only).
Canada (some provinces).
Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore.
Switzerland, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man.
Several other countries including Barbados, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe.

If your country is on the list, you can apply directly to the DVLA to exchange your licence without testing.

How to Exchange Your Licence

The application is made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA):

Complete form D1: Available from post offices or downloadable from GOV.UK.
Provide your foreign licence: You must surrender your original foreign licence. It will be returned to the issuing country.
Provide a passport photograph: Meeting UK passport photo standards.
Pay the fee: £43 by cheque or postal order.
Proof of identity: Your passport or BRP card.
Proof of address: A utility bill or bank statement.

Processing typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, you can continue driving on your foreign licence (within the 12-month period).

Non-Designated Countries: Taking the UK Test

If your licence was issued by a country not on the designated list (for example, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, or the Philippines), you cannot exchange it. Instead, you must:

Apply for a UK provisional driving licence: Costs £34 online or £43 by post.
Pass the theory test: Costs £23 and covers hazard perception and road knowledge.
Pass the practical driving test: Costs £62 on weekdays (£75 on evenings, weekends, and bank holidays).

Many experienced drivers from non-designated countries take a few refresher lessons to familiarise themselves with UK road rules and driving on the left before taking the practical test.

EU Licences After Brexit

EU driving licences remain on the designated list, so EU nationals can still exchange their licences directly. This applies regardless of whether you have EU settled status or arrived on a visa after Brexit. See our EU nationals after Brexit guide for broader context.

If you held an EU licence and exchanged it before Brexit, your UK licence is valid indefinitely (subject to the standard 10-year photocard renewal). If you still hold an EU licence and live in the UK, you should exchange it within 12 months of becoming resident.

Insurance Considerations

Getting car insurance as a new UK resident can be expensive, even if you have years of driving experience abroad. Most UK insurers do not recognise foreign no-claims bonuses, though some specialist insurers do. For more on this, see our car insurance for visa holders guide.

You may find that obtaining a UK licence before applying for insurance can reduce your premiums, as some insurers charge more for policies linked to foreign licences.

Automatic vs Manual Licences

If your foreign licence covers automatic vehicles only, your UK licence will also be limited to automatic vehicles. If your foreign licence covers manual vehicles, your UK licence will cover both manual and automatic. This is important to consider when exchanging or testing.

If you want to drive manual vehicles in the UK but your foreign licence is automatic only, you will need to take the UK practical test in a manual car.