Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a GB one: time limits and cost

The rules depend on where your licence was issued. Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland has its own process. This covers GB.

How long can you drive on a foreign licence?

Once you are a GB resident, you can keep driving on a valid foreign car/motorcycle licence for 12 months from when you became resident. Within that time you must either exchange the licence, if your country qualifies, or start getting a GB licence through the tests.

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Which licences can be exchanged?

You can exchange without retaking tests if your licence is from the EU/EEA or from a "designated" country or territory with an exchange agreement with GB (the list is on GOV.UK — for example Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UAE, South Africa, Ukraine and others). If your country is not listed, you must get a GB licence from scratch: theory and practical tests.

What is the deadline and the cost?

A designated-country licence can be exchanged within five years of becoming resident, provided it has not expired. The exchange costs £43. You apply using form D1 from a Post Office offering DVLA services, and send it with the fee and your driving licence to DVLA.

What should you watch for?

Check the exact rules for your country using the GOV.UK tool — it asks a few questions and tells you whether you can exchange and by when. While the exchange is processing, keep your proof of posting. EU/EEA licences have their own age and validity rules; it is best not to leave it to the end of the 12-month window.

How does an exchange differ from starting from scratch?

An exchange means you hand in a valid foreign licence and get a GB one of the same category without retaking the theory and practical tests. This is available for EU/EEA licences and those from countries with an exchange agreement. If your country is not listed, you must qualify as a new driver: first get a provisional licence, then pass the theory and practical tests; meanwhile you can only drive on the foreign licence for 12 months after becoming resident.

What should you keep in mind when exchanging?

When you send form D1 with the original foreign licence, you are temporarily without a physical document — plan trips ahead. Check your licence has not expired: only a valid one can be exchanged. For some categories (such as lorries and buses) the rules are stricter and medical evidence may be required. The online tool on GOV.UK gives the exact answer for your country and category, asking a few questions and showing what to do.