EU driving licence in UK

EU driving licence in UK

EU driving licence in UK If you hold a full licence issued in a country within the European Union you can drive in Great Britain using your original licence until it expires. What’s more, there’s no need to exchange it or retake your driving test. The same applies to those with a European Economic Community (EEC) licence. 

Your licence will expire when you turn 70, but if you’re 67 or over when you become a UK resident you can drive for three years. After this time, you must exchange your licence.

If you are an EU citizen living in the UK, you may be wondering about the validity of your driving licence in this country. The good news is that if you hold a valid driving licence from an EU country, you can use it to drive in the UK without any additional documentation or tests.

Under EU law, driving licences issued by EU driving licence in UK member states are mutually recognised, which means that they are valid in all other member states. This includes the UK, which was an EU member until 2020. So, if you have a driving licence from an EU country, you can use it to drive in the UK as long as it remains valid.

However, if you are a resident of the UK, there are some rules you need to be aware of. If you have been living in the UK for more than 12 months, you may need to exchange your EU driving licence for a UK one. You can do this by filling out an application form and sending it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The process of exchanging your EU driving licence for a UK one is fairly straightforward. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and date of birth, as well as some information about your driving history. You may also need to provide proof of identity and residency, such as a passport or utility bill.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive a UK driving licence. This will allow you to continue driving in the UK without any restrictions or additional tests.

It’s worth noting that if you are planning to stay in the UK for less than 12 months, you can continue to use your EU driving licence without exchanging it for a UK one. However, you may need to carry additional documentation with you, such as proof of residency or a letter from your employer.

In conclusion, if you are an EU citizen living in the UK and hold a valid driving licence from an EU country, you can use it to drive in the UK without any additional documentation or tests. However, if you have been living in the UK for more than 12 months, you may need to exchange your EU driving licence for a UK one.

‘Designated’ countries licence types:

You can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a licence issued in a ‘designated country’ (Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe). 

After this period, you must exchange your licence to keep on driving. You can exchange it up to five years after becoming a UK resident (if it hasn’t expired) without having to retake your driving test.

The same rule applies for holders of driving licences issued in Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.