Driving in Great Britain on a Foreign Licence

Any foreign national, wishing to drive in Great Britain, they must comply with GB legislation, including insuring their vehicle and complying with the minimum age requirements, regardless of whether they can drive in their native country. The age restrictions in GB are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 21 years for large lorries and buses. If they have a foreign licence, there are also limitations on how long they can drive in GB on that licence.

Visitors:

Visitors who hold a valid European Community/European Economic Area licence can drive any vehicle for which they have full entitlement to drive on their licence. Visitors who hold a valid licence from a non-EC/EEA country may drive in GB for up to 12 months. They may drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to eight passenger seats, which have been registered outside GB and which they have driven into the country.

Great Britain Residents with an European Community/European Economic Area Licence:

If a person from an EC/EEA country becomes a GB resident, they can only drive on a valid EC/EEA licence (issued on the strength of a driving test) for a limited period, before they must apply for a GB licence. These periods are as follows:

Ordinary Driving Licence (Car, motorcycle):

• for 3 years after becoming resident or until aged 70, (whichever is the longer period).

Vocational Driving Licence (Lorry, minibus, bus):

• for 5 years after becoming resident or until aged 45, (whichever is the longer period).
• if they are aged over 45, but under 65, until their 66th birthday or for 5 years after becoming resident, (whichever is the shorter period).
• if they are aged 65 or over for 12 months after becoming resident

Great Britain Residents with a Licence from a Non-European Community/European Economic Area Country:

If a person from a non-EC/EEA country becomes a GB resident and they are the holder of a valid ordinary driving licence, they can drive any category of small vehicle shown on their licence for up to 12 months from the time they became resident.

To ensure continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have been obtained and a driving test(s) passed within this 12 month period. If they obtain a provisional licence during this period, they are not subject to provisional licence conditions eg displaying 'L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or being precluded from motorways. However, if they do not pass a test within the 12 month concessionary period provisional licence conditions will apply.

If they are the holder of a vocational licence, they must not drive large vehicles until they have passed the relevant GB driving test.

Driving a Foreign Vehicle in Great Britain:

Vehicles registered in other countries that are temporarily brought into GB by visitors are usually exempt from UK registration and licensing. EU vehicles that are being used within or between Community Member States are allowed, under EC Directive 83/182, to be used on public roads without the need to register or pay duties in the host country. However, the vehicle must comply with the registration and licensing requirements of its home country, and cannot be driven in the host country (e.g. GB) for more than 6 months in any 12 month period. To qualify for the exemption, the visitor must have their normal residence outside GB. If a vehicle is used in this country for more than 6 months in any 12 month period, it has to be registered and licensed here with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in GB, the vehicle must immediately be registered and licensed with the DVLA. Once a vehicle has been registered in this country its use must be covered by a motor insurance policy issued by a motor insurer authorised in the UK.

Left-hand-drive vehicles from within the European Community will need a certificate, issued by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), under the Mutual Recognition scheme. This shows that changes have been made to the vehicle, making it suitable for use on British roads.