How to Exchange a Foreign Driving Licence in the UK (DVLA Guide 2026)

Key takeaways

• You can exchange a foreign driving licence in the UK without a driving test if it was issued in the EU/EEA, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, or one of 23 designated countries. 

• If your country is not on the designated countries list, you cannot exchange it.  You must pass the UK driving theory and practical tests. 

• For most non-EU licences, you can drive on your foreign licence for 12 months after becoming a resident.

• Exchanging your foreign licence costs £43 with form D1 (it is free for Northern Ireland licences). 

Can you exchange a foreign driving licence in the UK?

Yes, for a limited time if you hold a full, valid licence. How long depends on where it was issued.

For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens

If you hold a valid driving licence from a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you can drive in the UK with it until it expires or you turn 70, whichever comes first. If you became a UK resident at the age of 67 or older, you can drive with your foreign licence for three years before needing to exchange it for a UK licence. However, you can decide to exchange your licence before it expires. 

For Non-EU/EEA citizens

If your licence was issued in a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you may drive with it in the UK for 12 months. After this period, you must exchange the foreign licence for a local driver’s licence. This will often require you to pass a driving test. 

Designated countries

The UK has bilateral exchange agreements with 23 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UAE. You can drive on your licence for 12 months after becoming a resident. To keep driving after 12 months, you will need to exchange your licence. You can exchange it up to 5 years after becoming a resident, as long as your original licence hasn’t expired. If you miss the 5-year window, you can no longer exchange your licence. You would then need a provisional licence and the theory, and practical driving tests. 

Residents of Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man

If you're living in Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, you can exchange your licence for a UK licence without taking a test if it was issued on or after 1 April 1991. You can drive on your original licence in the UK for up to 12 months after becoming a resident. You can also exchange within 5 years of becoming a resident. 

Residents of Northern Ireland

If you reside in Northern Ireland, you may swap your licence for a UK one, free of charge, provided it was issued on or after 1 January 1976, without taking a test. A Northern Ireland license is a UK licence, so you can keep driving on it in the UK until it expires. 

All other countries

If your licence was issued in a country not covered above, you can drive in the UK with it for up to 12 months from becoming a resident. It cannot be exchanged. To keep driving after 12 months, you must get a provisional driving licence and pass the UK theory test and a practical test. 

How to convert a foreign driver’s licence in the UK

Which countries' driving licences can be exchanged in the UK?

In addition to EU and EEA countries, these 23 designated countries and territories have exchange agreements with the UK. You can exchange a full car licence without a test if you apply within 5 years of becoming resident and your licence is still valid.

Check the list of designated countries before starting your licence exchange process in the UK. 

What if your country is not on the list?

If your country is not on the list of designated countries, you cannot exchange your licence in the UK. But you can drive on it for 12 months after becoming a resident. The process is slightly different; 

• Apply for a provisional licence: Apply on GOV.UK. It costs £34 online or £43 by post.

• Pass the theory test: It costs £23 and covers both multiple-choice questions and hazard perception.

• Pass the practical test. It costs £62 on weekdays and £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

• Receive your full licence. Once you pass, you'll get a full UK licence.

You can only take a driving test in the UK after you’ve lived in the country for at least 185 days. Test waiting lists can be long in many areas, so book as soon as you are eligible. 

If you don’t pass your driving test before the 12 months run out, you can still drive on your provisional licence. However, you must drive under learner conditions, with a qualified supervising driver, L plates, and insurance. 

Documents required for converting a foreign driver’s licence in the UK

When you're ready to exchange your foreign driving licence for a UK licence, start by gathering the following documents: 

1. The D1 application form. 

2. Your current foreign driving licence. If it is not issued in English, you must also provide a certified translation. 

3. A valid passport or government-issued photo ID, such as a national ID card. 

4. Proof of UK residence, such as utility bills, council tax bills, or a bank statement dated within the last three months.

5. Recent passport-sized colour photographs with a neutral background and your face in full view.

6. Specific documents required for your country. For example, the RTMC confirmation letter for South Africa, or the LDVL for the UAE.

7. Evidence of payment of the £43 processing fee to the DVLA by cheque or postal order.

How to exchange a foreign driving licence in the UK 

1. Get the D1 application form from the DVLA website or a local post office that offers driving licence exchange services.

2. Fill out the D1 form, ensuring that all personal details, including your name, address, date of birth, and any other required information, are correct. 

3. Gather all the necessary supporting documents listed above. Check the DVLA website for updates to document requirements before applying.

4. Post your completed application form, supporting documents, and application fee to the DVLA. It is advisable to mail your documents via recorded delivery to track your application and ensure it arrives safely.

5. Wait for your application to be processed. This typically takes about three weeks, or three to four weeks or UAE licences. 

6. Once your application is processed and approved, your new UK driving licence will be sent to you by mail. Check all the details on the licence once it arrives to ensure there are no errors.

What happens after you exchange your licence?

Once you submit your application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, here’s what to expect:

• DVLA reviews your application: This typically takes around 3 weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.

• A new UK licence is issued: If your application is approved, your UK photocard driving licence will be sent to your address by post.

• The original licence is retained: In most cases, your foreign driving licence is not returned. DVLA sends it back to the issuing authority in your home country.

Note: When you receive your new licence, check your name, date of birth, vehicle categories you’re allowed to drive, and any restrictions or conditions. If there are any errors, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency immediately.

Specific conditions per country

Some designated countries have extra conditions. Check your country’s page on GOV.UK before posting your application. 

1. Australia

If your current Australian licence allows you to legally drive manual vehicles, you can exchange it for a UK licence with the same entitlement. However, if your licence was issued in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania or Victoria, you may need to provide evidence that your driving test was completed in a manual vehicle. 

2. Canada and New Zealand

If you have a Canadian or New Zealand licence, you can only drive manual vehicles if you can prove you passed a manual vehicle driving test; otherwise, you must drive an automatic. 

3. Japan and the Republic of Korea

Japanese and Korean licence holders must provide an official translation of their licence from their embassy. Also, Korean holders can only exchange car entitlement. For motorcycles, you’ll have to take the UK theory and practical motorcycle tests. 

4. South Africa

You can no longer exchange the old book-style licence from South Africa. You need a credit-card style licence, or a letter of entitlement to one. Before applying, email the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to request a “Confirmation of South African Driving Licence” letter and send it with your D1. Read our guide to converting a South African driving licence in the UK.

5. United Arab Emirates

In addition to submitting the D1 form, UAE driving licence holders must request a Licence Data Verification Letter (LDVL) from the UAE Ministry of Interior. You’ll need to sign in with your UAE Pass, select ‘To whom it may concern certificates’, and then select “Licence Data Verification Letter”. When submitting your exchange request, send the LDVL, Form D1, the £43 fee, and any additional required documents to the address specified on the form.

6. Ukraine

If your licence was issued in Ukraine, you can use it for 4 years and 6 months, depending on when you successfully applied for entry clearance or permission to stay in the United Kingdom. This rule applies to individuals who currently hold or have held a Ukrainian visa scheme. Check the current GOV.UK guidance for Ukrainian licence holders.

7. Moldova

Since August 1, 2025, the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has allowed Moldovan citizens residing in the UK to exchange their Moldovan driving licence for a British one without needing to retake a theory or practical driving test. This simplified exchange process is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the UK and Moldova, which recognises each other's driving licences. 

As part of the MoU, the Republic of Moldova will also allow holders of UK driving licences to exchange them for a Moldovan equivalent in the country.  Learn how to exchange a Moldovan licence in the UK. 

8. Bus and lorry drivers: form D9

If you reside in the UK and drive a bus with more than 9 passenger seats or a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, you need to register your non-UK driving licence with DVLA.

You will need to send your application form, along with your EU/EEA driving licence (and any necessary documentary evidence), to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BH.

Do you need a certified translation for a foreign driving licence?

You will need a certified translation when applying to exchange your foreign driving licence in the UK if:

• Your licence is issued in a non-English language

• The details (name, categories, dates) cannot be clearly understood

• The document uses non-Latin characters

The only exceptions are Japan and the Republic of Korea licence holders. The UK requires an official translation from your embassy, so check with the embassy first. 

A certified translation for DVLA licence exchange must accurately reflect the original, including a certification statement and translator’s name, signature, and date. 

Translayte provides certified translation for driver’s licence conversion in the UK with a 12-24-hour turnaround time. Professional translators provide our certified translations and include a certification statement, ensuring the DVLA accepts them. 

Request a free quote for accurate pricing. 

Common issues and how to avoid them

1. Incomplete or incorrect application: This is one of the most common causes of delays when applying to exchange a foreign driver's licence. To avoid issues, double-check your application form before submission, ensuring you complete each field and include all required documents. 

2. Translation errors: For licences not in English, improper or uncertified translations can cause complications during your application process. Fortunately, a professional provider of certified translation services in the UK, such as Translayte, can help you obtain accurate UK English translations of documents that meet the required standards. 

3. Postal delays: Occasionally, postal delays can affect the timing of your application reaching the DVLA or your licence being returned to you. Consider using a tracked or signed-for delivery service when sending important documents to the DVLA. 

4. Expired licences: Attempting to exchange an already-expired driver’s licence can invalidate the exchange process. To avoid this, check the expiration date on your foreign licence before beginning the application process. If your licence is close to expiring, you may need to renew it in your home country first or be prepared to apply for a provisional driving licence and pass the UK driving tests.

Ready to start your driving licence conversion in the UK? Request a free quote to get high-quality document translations.