Can I drive in the UK with a foreign driving licence?

For visitors, new residents and students who hold a driving licence from outside Great Britain.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Usually yes, on your full and valid licence, but how long depends on where it was issued and whether you are a visitor or a resident.

Visitors can drive small vehicles for up to 12 months from entering Great Britain.
New residents with a licence from a 'designated country' can drive for 12 months and can exchange it within 5 years.
New residents with an EU or EEA licence can usually drive until 70, or for 3 years if 67 or over when they became resident.
Residents with a licence from any other country can drive for 12 months, then must pass GB tests.
Exchanging a licence costs £43.

Different in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own rules, run by DVA.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Visitors: up to 12 months
Residents: rules depend on country
Exchange within 5 years
Exchange fee: £43
Northern Ireland: check DVA

How the rules work

Whether you can drive in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) on a foreign licence depends on two things:

Are you a visitor, a resident or a student?
Which country issued your licence?

Your licence must be full and valid.

If you are a visitor

Licence from	What you can drive
Northern Ireland	You can drive for up to 12 months from when you last entered Great Britain
EU or EEA country	You can drive for up to 12 months from when you enter Great Britain
Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man	Small vehicles on your licence for 12 months from entry
Any other country	Small vehicles on your licence for 12 months from entry

If you live here (resident)

Licence from	What you can do
EU or EEA country	Drive until you are 70. If you were 67 or over when you became resident, drive for 3 years. Then exchange it for a GB licence
A 'designated country'	Drive for 12 months from becoming resident. You can exchange it within 5 years
Any other country	Drive for 12 months from becoming resident. Then get a GB provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests

If you got your EU licence by exchanging a licence from outside the EU, you can only drive for 12 months.

What a 'designated country' is

These are places whose licences Great Britain lets you swap without taking a test. They are: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

If you do not exchange within 5 years of becoming resident, you must apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the tests. People who came under the Ukraine visa schemes have extra time, so check GOV.UK.

How to exchange your licence

Get form D1 from a Post Office that offers DVLA services.
Fill it in.
Post the form, your licence, the £43 fee and any documents you need to the address on the form.
Your new licence usually arrives within 3 weeks. It can take longer if you have told DVLA about a medical condition.

Students

EU or EEA licence: you can drive small vehicles while your licence is valid, or until you are 70.
Designated country licence: you can drive small vehicles for 12 months, and must exchange within 5 years.
Any other country: you will need a GB provisional licence and must pass the theory and practical tests.

Lorries, minibuses and buses

The rules for bigger vehicles are stricter. Many foreign licence holders cannot drive them in Great Britain. Use the GOV.UK checker before you drive one.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own rules, run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Visitors' rules depend on the type of vehicle, so check nidirect. New residents can drive small vehicles shown on their licence for 12 months. Designated country licences can be exchanged up to 5 years after becoming resident. An international driving licence is not valid proof that you can drive in Northern Ireland.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check if you can drive on your licence

Common questions

How long can a visitor drive in the UK on a foreign licence?

A visitor can drive small vehicles on a full and valid licence for up to 12 months from entering Great Britain.

Can I swap my foreign licence for a GB one?

You can if it is from a 'designated country', such as Australia, Canada or Japan, within 5 years of becoming resident. The fee is £43.

What if my country is not on the list?

You can drive for 12 months after becoming resident. After that you need a GB provisional licence and must pass the theory and practical tests.

Official sources

1.Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licencewww.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence
2.Exchange a non-GB driving licencewww.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence
3.Advice on foreign driving licences in Northern Irelandwww.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/advice-foreign-driving-licences-northern-ireland

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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