How to exchange a foreign driving licence for a GB one

After moving to Great Britain — England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland has a different process — you can drive on a foreign licence, but only for a limited time. What you do next depends on where the licence was issued.

How long can you drive on a foreign licence?

Once you become a resident, you can drive on a valid foreign licence for 12 months. After that, to keep driving you must exchange it or pass a GB driving test.

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Which countries can exchange without a test?

If your licence is from a designated country or territory — one that has an exchange agreement with Great Britain — you can swap it for a GB licence without retaking a test. The list includes, for example, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea. You must exchange such a licence within 5 years of becoming a resident, and while it is still valid.

What does it cost and how do you do it?

The exchange costs £43. You need a D1 form, available from a Post Office that offers DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) services. You send the completed form, the fee and your foreign licence to the DVLA. It usually takes about three weeks, longer if you have declared a medical condition that needs checks.

What if your country is not on the list?

Licences from countries not on the designated list cannot be exchanged. You can drive on one for the same 12 months after moving, and to carry on you must get a GB licence from scratch: first a provisional licence, then the theory and practical tests. Check your situation on the online tool on gov.uk before you drive.

What to remember when exchanging

You can only exchange a valid licence. If your foreign licence has expired, it can no longer be exchanged and you must get a GB one from scratch. Some countries and territories have caveats: for an Australian licence from certain states, for example, you may be asked to prove you passed in a manual car; otherwise you may only be allowed to drive automatics.

While the exchange is processed, your foreign licence is held by the DVLA, so plan ahead, especially if you need to drive for work. And remember: the 12 months during which you can drive on a foreign licence run from when you became a resident, not from your arrival date. Check the exact rules for your country on the online tool on gov.uk before applying.