If you’ve recently moved to the UK from abroad, this guide will assist you in navigating the process of obtaining a UK driving licence. Before we delve into the details, it’s crucial to ascertain whether your international driving licence is valid within the UK. Some international licences are accepted under specific conditions, such as EU ones, that remain valid in the UK until you’re 70 years of age.
Is your license valid in the UK? Does it require conversion to a UK equivalent? This article will provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to obtain your UK driving licence.
1. Meeting Legal Requirements
To drive in the UK, you must be at least 17 years old and possess a valid licence for driving on public roads. Additionally, you should be capable of reading a licence plate from a distance of 20 meters. Furthermore, only UK residents can apply for a UK driving licence, necessitating proof of 185 days of residence within the past 12 months.
2. Provisional Licence Application
Apply for a provisional licence through the DVSA website, with an online application fee of £34. During the application, you’ll be required to provide your identity details. If you do not have a UK passport you can use a share code a current and valid foreign passport that’s not from an EU or EEA country, with a visa sticker or stamp, a UK biometric residence permit and other documents listed by the DVSA. The speed of document submission directly affects the processing time for your provisional licence. If you are unable to apply online, you have the option to use physical forms by printing and filling in the D1 form from the DVLA website. Irrespective of the method chosen (online or via post), you can expect to receive your provisional licence around three weeks after successful identity verification.
3. Learning to Drive
For those moving from non-European Union and European Economic Area countries, passing a driving test is mandatory to obtain a UK driving licence, necessitating driving lessons. You can choose a friend or family member as a supervisor, provided they are 21 or older, qualified to drive the type of car you’re learning in, and have had their full driving licence for 3 years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein). Alternatively, you can select a professional driving instructor. Intensive driving courses, especially those offered by reputable providers like Pass in Days, present a remarkable opportunity for individuals with foreign driving licenses who wish to acclimate themselves to the intricacies of driving in the UK. With the guidance of experienced instructors, participants can enhance their knowledge of UK-specific traffic rules, build confidence in maneuvering in diverse road conditions, and refine their understanding of British road signs and markings.
4. Taking the Tests
When you’re ready for your theory test, book it on the DVSA website for £23, bringing your provisional licence card on the test day. If you decide to take an intensive driving course to refresh your skills, keep in mind that some providers – such as Pass in Days – have theory study materials as well as a practical driving test fee (normally £62) included in the price of the course. What’s more, Pass in Days provide fast-track practical driving tests which means you can sit your practical driving test in a week or two after completing the course!
On the test day, ensure you bring your provisional licence and proof of passing your theory test.
Driving Licence Exchange Process
If you hold a full EU or European Economic Community (EEC) licence, you can use it in the UK without renewal until age 70. However, if you become a UK resident at 67 or older, you can drive for three more years. Then, you must exchange your licence. Residents from designated countries can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on their foreign licences. After this period, a UK provisional licence and practical test are required to continue driving. For licences from other countries, you can use your original licence for 12 months, after which you’ll need a UK provisional licence and must pass the practical test.
Exchanging your foreign driving licence for a UK one involves obtaining the D1 application form from the DVLA, filling it out, and sending it along with necessary documents, including your original driving licence, to the provided address. Your new UK driving licence should arrive within three weeks.
Remember! Driving in the UK comes with responsibilities like insurance, road tax, MOT tests, and parking permits, so ensure you comply with these requirements to drive legally in the country.
In summary, transitioning to driving in the UK as a foreigner may seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and steps, you can smoothly obtain a UK driving licence! 🚗🇬🇧
Intensive driving course in Aberdeen? Crash course in Glasgow? Refresher course in Bristol or Exeter? Whatever you need to start driving confidently in the UK, do not hesitate to contact Pass in Days!
