Does applying for a UK provisional licence invalidate my foreign driver’s licence in the UK?
You can drive in the UK as a new resident using your licence from another country for one year from the date you arrive in the UK. If you obtain a UK provisional driving licence during this period then it does not affect these rights. However if after a year you have not obtained a full UK driving licence, you will be bound by the conditions of the provisional licence (driving under supervision, not allowed on motorways, etc). Buy-off Original driving licence in UK as a foreigner
Learn and know how to drive
It generally takes around two weeks for your DVLA Provisional Driving Licence to arrive in the post. Once you’ve received your licence you’re free to begin driving lessons with a reputable, registered driving instructor or with someone aged 21 years or over who has held their full UK driving licence for at least three years. Buy-off Original driving licence in UK as a foreigner
UK rules for learning how to drive differ from those of most countries. You need to be supervised to learn how to drive. You can choose to learn with friends or family, if the supervisor meets these criteria: be 21 or older, be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, (for example, they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car), and has had a full driving licence from the European Economic Area for more than 3 years. Please note that this option won’t allow you to drive on motorways.
The alternative option is to find a driving instructor approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). A useful tool to find instructors in your area and check their qualifications and grades is available here. These instructors will be allowed to take you to the motorway if the car is fitted with dual controls.
Keep in mind that every car you practice with must be insured for a learning driver, so don’t forget to check with the car owner before trying out your new skills! get a Northern Ireland driving licence.
UK Driving License as a foreigner Coming from an EU Country
If the driver’s license you are currently using was issued in a member state of the EU or EFTA, the following regulations apply to you:
- If you are visiting Great Britain and intend to stay less than 12 months, continue to use your current license.
- As a resident of the UK, you can keep using your license for three years after you become a resident or until your 70th birthday (whichever is the longer period).
- If you received your current EU/EFTA license in exchange for a license from a non-EU state, this is a special case and you may only use it for up to 12 months.
- As a European and a resident of Great Britain, you can also exchange your current license for a British driver’s license.
UK Driving License as a foreigner Coming from Any Other Country
Regardless of whether you are a tourist or a resident in your first year, if your original driver’s license is not in English it might also be a good idea to get an international driving permit (IDP).
Note that you will need to get this in the same country that issued your original driver’s license. This permit includes translations into multiple languages and ensures, in combination with your foreign license, that officials around the world are able to easily identify what types of vehicles you are permitted to drive.
- If you are a visitor and intend to stay less than 12 months, continue using your current license.
- As a resident of Great Britain, you can keep using your existing license for a year after becoming a resident. You will then need to apply for a provisional driver’s license and take a theoretical and practical driving test. Buy-off Original driving licence in UK as a foreigner
