Check what you know
Did you know?
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Check what you know
Did you know?
- A driver’s ability to drive in Great Britain (GB) on a foreign driving licence depends on the length of their stay and the country where their licence was issued.
- Non-GB driving licences can be registered using a D9 form or exchanged using a D1 application form from DVLA.
- Visit www.gov.uk and search for ‘driving licence non-GB’.
Drivers with a non-GB provisional licence must apply for a provisional UK licence to drive in the UK. They can then take their driving test after six months.
If the licence was not issued in the EU or a designated country, drivers can drive any category of small vehicle up to 3,500kgs in GB on their original full, valid licence for 12 months. They will then need to apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the UK practical test.
Drivers are not required to take any driving lessons in GB before taking the test.
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Drivers from a ‘designated country’ can drive in GB for up to 12 months on their licence. After this period, they must exchange their licence to be allowed to continue driving. It can be exchanged up to 5 years after becoming a UK resident (if not expired) without having to retake a driving test. Designated countries are Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
The same rule applies for holders of driving licences issued in Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
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