UKCan I drive in the UK with a foreign licence?
Yes, you can drive in the UK with a foreign licence for up to 12 months from when you become a UK resident — but only if your licence is valid, issued by a recognised country, and meets UK standards.
What the Law Says
The Road Traffic Act 1988 sets out the legal basis for who may drive on UK roads and when a UK-issued licence is required.
Under UK law, it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place without a valid driving licence authorising you to drive that type of vehicle. This applies to everyone — including visitors and new residents.
If you hold a driving licence issued by a country within the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you may drive in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) using that licence for as long as it remains valid — even after becoming a UK resident.
If your licence is from a non-EEA country, you may drive in Great Britain for up to 12 months from the date you become a UK resident. After that, you must apply to exchange your foreign licence for a UK one — if your country has a reciprocal exchange agreement with the UK — or pass the UK driving test.
Driving without a valid UK or recognised foreign licence is a criminal offence under section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Statutory TextA person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place unless he holds a driving licence authorising him to drive that vehicle.
— Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 87 — Offence of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
What to Do
Check whether your country is on the DVLA’s list of recognised countries for licence exchange (e.g., Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and most EU/EEA states).
If you’re from a non-EEA country, start the licence exchange process before your 12-month grace period ends — allow up to 3 weeks for processing.
Ensure your foreign licence is valid, not revoked, suspended or restricted in a way that prevents UK driving.
Apply online or by post via GOV.UK — you’ll need your foreign licence, proof of UK residency (e.g., utility bill or tenancy agreement), and a passport-sized photo.
If your country isn’t on the exchange list, book and pass both the UK theory and practical driving tests.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.