Now that you have finally settled down in the UK it’s time to exchange your license to a UK drivers license. It’s a pretty easy process to exchange your
Why Should You Change Your Foreign Driving License To The UK One?
The reason I changed my
- Proof of Address – One of the benefits of having a UK
licence is that it is the most convenient Proof of Address you can have. Before having mylicence I needed to carry my passport around when I needed to something at the bank and requiring me to remember in advance with having my UKlicence I didn’t need to worry. - Cheaper Car Insurance – Most companies offer cheaper car insurance for
full UK driving license holders. I recently tested this on confused.com to see whether it was true using VOLVO V60 SE T3 as the car model of choice. The first quote with my Australianlicence came to £2924.32 and the second quote using my UKlicence came to £937.56. It’s worth making the switch if you are planning to buy a car to save those £££’s. Continue driving in the UK – If you wish to continue driving in the UK you must change yourlicence after 12 months of staying in the UK on a foreignlicence . I waited 3 years before exchanging mine however I don’t really drive in the UK. You can exchange it up to 5 years after becoming resident if it hasn’t expired.
Can You Get A UK Driving Licence On A Visa?
As long as your visa allows you to hold a permanent address in the UK and have lived in the country for at least 185 days of the last year you will be able to get a UK drivers
Disclaimer: Hi! this post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. If you click on one and buy something, I may earn a commission, see my Affiliate Disclosure for more details.
- Tier 5 Youth Mobility
- UK Ancestry
- Right to Abode
- Spousal Visa
- Student Visa
- And others…
How to Exchange a Foreign Licence for a UK Drivers Licence
The process for exchanging your
Check If Your Country Has A Reciprocal Exchange Agreements
To exchange your licence your home country must be a ‘designated country’ (countries with exchange agreements with Great Britain), the countries in this agreement are; Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
The application does ask which country your licence was issued in and where you passed your test. If you didn’t pass in one of the above countries you will have to complete a driving test. You will be able to drive on your licence for 12 months before requiring to exchange.
Complete driving test (if required)
Countries that don’t have a reciprocal agreement you will need to apply for a UK provisional licence and pass the UK practical test. It’s not required that you take any driving lessons before taking the test but it could be helpful to familiarise yourself with the UK rules.
Check out this handy little tool to see if you can drive in the UK on your non-UK
A Copy of Your Licence or Proof of Entitlement Letter From The Issuing Authority
You need a copy of your drivers’ license or proof of entitlement letter from the issuing authority confirming your
When I was in Australia I said my
If you passed your driving test in Canada or New Zealand you will need to provide proof that you can drive a manual gearbox if you want a manual license.
Manual or Automatic Licence
Your
Order Form D1 From The Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
The easiest way to get a D1 form is by ordering it online,
Get A Passport Sized Photo
You will one standard UK Passport size photo to send with
Where to get photos? I always end up going to Snappy Snaps for my passport photos as there are so many around. They will ask you what type of photo you require and provide the correct type.
Complete the D1 Form
Simply complete the two page form. If you need any help there is also a guide to support the application.
Send the Application with Your Documentation
You will need to include:
- Completed D1 form
- Passport Photo
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (if you’re on a visa)
- Your
licence or proof of entitlement letter from the issuing authority - £43 fee – As I don’t have cheque book I decided to get a postal order to pay the £43
- Self-addressed registered post envelops (optional)
If you arrived in the UK on a British passport then you just need to add your passport in the application and you will not need to send your passport off with the application.
Please note: If you don’t provide a self-addressed registered post envelope then your documents will be posted back to you in second class post. DVLA will not compensate for any loss or delay in the return of your documents. I highly recommend paying extra for the registered post envelope for a piece of mind.
How to Pay Via Postal Orders and Checks
For some reason the DVLA only accepts cheques! The easiest way to get one is a postal order from the post office. The cheque will cost 12.5% of the value order which will be £5.37 on top of the £43. Simply go up to the counter, ask for a postal order to the DVLA Swansea and one will be produced with the correct amount.
Alternatively, you can visit your bank or credit union’s branch to request a counter cheque. Make sure you check with your bank branch before you make a trip there and see if counter cheques are available. If you use an online bank like Monzo this option won’t be open to you.
Make sure you add your name and date of birth or licence number on the back of the cheque.
Where should I send the application?
The application should be sent to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BT
I sent mine by registered post and included an addressed registered post envelope so it could be tracked when my documents were returned. Your new UK licence and identity documents will be sent separately.
How long does it take to get a driving license UK?
Allow about 3 weeks for your driving
Understanding Your UK Driving Licence and the Codes
On the back of your UK
If you have a standard
- AM which is a 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph) if I comply with code 122 (see below).
- A with restriction of 79 (3) which is motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW.
- B1 which is basically a quad bike.
- B the one we are most likely to drive, a car. It’s exchanged to a full
licence , if you had an automaticlicence it would say 70, 78 which is restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission. - BE I can drive a car with a trailer.
The codes determine what conditions are on your licence. Here is a quick highlight of the codes I think are most common:
- 01 – eyesight correction, for
example, glasses or contact lenses - 70 – exchange of
licence - 71 – a duplicate of the
licence - 78 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
- 79 – restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on your
licence - 79 (2) – restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3-wheel or light quadricycle type
- 79 (3) – restricted to tricycles
- 122 – valid on successful completion: Basic Moped Training Course 125 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014).
For more information on the code here.
Video on How to Get a UK Driving Licence
More Living in the UK Articles
- Essentials Items You Need for a New Apartment or Home
- How to Build a Credit Score as a New UK Resident
- A Helpful Guide on How to Find a Flat in London
- Cost of Living in London
Kat
Hi, I'm Kat, an Australian that moved to London in 2013 to start a new adventure. What a roller-coaster that was! I love helping others move to the UK and people explore the world! I’d be honoured if you’d say, “Thanks!” with a £3 coffee on Ko-fi.
Nick
Thursday 11th of February 2021
Hi Kat,
Thanks for putting this article together and being so responsive to ppl over such an extended period of time!
Just wanted to get your thoughts on my situation - I'm a dual Australian/Italian citizen, so moved over here on my Italian passport (i.e. no visa or BRP given I arrived pre-Brexit). I'm now looking to convert by Australian license to a UK one and wanted to know if you have an idea of what documentation can be provided as proof of residency? I'm a bit reluctant to put my Italian passport in the post at the moment given the delays and the fact its my only proof of my ability to reside in the UK...
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Nick
Manus Ferry
Sunday 31st of January 2021
Hi Kat I need to exchange my Irish license for a uk license, but my Irish license expires in August. Will the UK license just be issued until August?
Neil
Wednesday 20th of January 2021
Hi, What licenses are transferable in the UK? Bike? Car? Vehicles above 3.5t? I have heard that some vehicles (specifically > 3.5t) you need to redo your license in the UK?
Kat
Tuesday 26th of January 2021
As I understand after brexit it is just bike/car and they will need to make you re apply for lorry etc: https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver.
Sally Creamer
Wednesday 13th of January 2021
Currently all testing centers are closed due to COVID, meaning those with valid international licenses that need UK testing are without driving capabilities. Not to mention the backlog at testing facilities once they do reopen. Help us extend the 1 year validity of international licenses or change the policy with this petition.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/567875
Maria
Monday 11th of January 2021
Hi Kat, do you know much about international drivers licenses and the benefit of getting one of those as opposed to exchanging the Aus license for a UK?
Kat
Monday 11th of January 2021
An International Driving Permit is a permit that allows you to drive in countries where ypur country licence alone is not sufficient. It doesn't replace having a drivers license so the only benefit of getting on is to drive overseas. You don't need to swap your license for the first 12 months but if you plan on living here and driving past the 12 months then you need to exchange.