UK Driving in London with a Foreign Licence: Exchange Rules by Country

If you’ve just moved to London and you’re wondering whether you can still drive with your foreign licence, you’re not alone. Thousands of people relocate to the UK every year with a valid driver’s license from their home country-and most of them assume they can keep using it forever. But that’s not true. The rules change depending on where you’re from, how long you’ve been in the UK, and even what type of licence you hold. Get this wrong, and you could be fined, have your car seized, or even face criminal charges if you’re pulled over. Here’s exactly how it works in 2025.

How Long Can You Drive on a Foreign Licence in London?

If you’re a visitor, you can drive in London with your foreign licence for up to 12 months from the day you entered the UK. But if you’ve moved here permanently, the clock starts ticking the moment you become a resident. That means if you moved to London on January 15, 2025, you have until January 14, 2026, to either exchange your licence or take a UK driving test. After that, your foreign licence is no longer valid on UK roads-even if it’s still valid in your home country.

This rule applies whether you’re driving a car, motorcycle, or van. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving to work, school, or the supermarket. The law doesn’t make exceptions for convenience. And yes, London police check licences regularly-especially in high-traffic zones like the Congestion Charge area or near major train stations.

Which Countries Can You Exchange Your Licence For a UK One?

The UK has reciprocal agreements with certain countries that let you swap your foreign licence for a British one without taking a test. These are mostly countries with similar road rules, licensing standards, and driving cultures. If your country is on this list, you can apply online through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and get a UK licence in about three weeks.

Here’s the full list of countries you can exchange your licence with as of 2025:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Canada
• Channel Islands
• Republic of Korea
• Cyprus
• Faroe Islands
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Macao
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Norway
• San Marino
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Yemen
• And any country in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland

If your country is on this list, you’ll need to send your current licence, a completed D1 application form, a passport-sized photo, and your passport or ID to the DVLA. The fee is £43. You don’t need to take a theory or practical test. Your old licence will be returned to your home country’s authority-so don’t expect to keep both.

What If Your Country Isn’t on the List?

If you’re from the United States, India, China, Brazil, Russia, or any country not on the exchange list, you can’t swap your licence. You must take the full UK driving test to get a British licence. That means:

1. Pass the UK driving theory test (multiple choice and hazard perception)
2. Book and pass the practical driving test

Many people think they can skip the theory test because they’ve been driving for years. That’s a mistake. The UK theory test is different-it focuses on UK road signs, Highway Code rules, and scenarios you won’t find elsewhere. For example, you’ll be tested on roundabout priorities, pedestrian crossings, and the rules for cycling lanes-things that vary even within Europe.

Practical test fees are £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends. You’ll need to book through the official DVSA website. Most learners take 20-40 hours of lessons before passing. If you’re used to driving on the right side of the road (like in the US or Japan), the first few lessons can be jarring. You’ll need to retrain your instincts.

What About International Driving Permits (IDPs)?

Some people think an International Driving Permit (IDP) lets them drive longer in the UK. It doesn’t. An IDP is just a translation of your licence-it’s not a standalone document. You must always carry your original licence with it. And even with an IDP, the 12-month rule still applies. If you’re a resident, the IDP won’t extend your driving privileges beyond that limit.

Also, there are two types of IDPs: 1949 and 1968. The UK only recognises the 1968 version. If you have the older one, it’s useless here. Check the back of your IDP-if it says “1968 Geneva Convention,” you’re good. If it says “1949,” you need to get a new one from your home country before you move.

What Happens If You Drive After the 12-Month Deadline?

Driving without a valid UK licence after 12 months is illegal. If you’re caught:

• You’ll be fined up to £1,000
• Your vehicle can be seized and crushed
• You could get 3-6 penalty points on your driving record
• Your insurance will be void-meaning you’re personally liable for any accident
• In serious cases, you could be prosecuted for driving without a licence, which carries a criminal record

Insurance companies check your licence status when you make a claim. If they find out you were driving illegally-even if the accident wasn’t your fault-they’ll refuse to pay. That could cost you tens of thousands in repairs or medical bills.

Special Cases: Student Visas, Work Visas, and Temporary Residents

If you’re on a student visa, you can still drive for 12 months from your date of entry-even if your visa lasts longer. Same goes for work visa holders. The clock doesn’t reset if you renew your visa. It’s tied to your physical arrival in the UK.

But if you’re here on a short-term visa (like a tourist visa), you’re not considered a resident. That means you can drive for up to 12 months, but you can’t apply to exchange your licence. You must leave before the 12 months are up-or switch to a long-term visa first.

Some people try to “reset” the clock by leaving the UK for a few weeks and coming back. That’s risky. Border officials and DVLA can see your travel history. If they determine you’re living in the UK, they’ll treat you as a resident regardless of your visa status.

How to Apply to Exchange Your Licence

If you’re eligible to exchange, here’s the fastest way to do it:

1. Go to www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence
2. Check if your country is on the list
3. Download and fill out form D1 (or apply online)
4. Send your original licence, photo, passport copy, and £43 fee to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT
5. Wait 3-4 weeks for your UK licence to arrive

Don’t send copies of your licence. The DVLA needs the original. If you send a photocopy, they’ll reject your application and return everything. And never drive while waiting for your new licence-your foreign licence is still valid until the 12-month mark, but only if you applied before it expired.

What If Your Licence Is Expired or Lost?

If your foreign licence has expired, you can’t exchange it. You’ll need to take the full UK driving test. Same if you lost it. You can’t apply for a UK licence using a damaged or missing foreign licence. You’ll need to get a replacement from your home country first-or start from scratch with the UK test.

Some countries make it hard to replace a lost licence from abroad. In those cases, you might need to get a certified letter from your country’s driving authority stating you held a valid licence. But even that won’t let you exchange-it only helps if you’re applying for a UK test.

Top Mistakes Expats Make

Here are the most common errors people make when switching to UK driving:

• Waiting until the last week to apply-delays happen, and you might run out of time
• Thinking an IDP extends your driving rights-it doesn’t
• Using a foreign licence after 12 months because “no one checks” - police do, and they have databases
• Assuming their EU licence is valid forever-post-Brexit, EU licences follow the same 12-month rule
• Trying to drive on a provisional UK licence while waiting for their exchange-illegal unless you’ve passed the theory test

One real case: A Canadian man moved to London in March 2024. He didn’t apply to exchange his licence until February 2025. He got pulled over in May for a random check. His foreign licence had expired two weeks earlier. He was fined £800, lost his car, and had to take the full UK test. He didn’t drive again for six months.

When to Start the Process

Don’t wait. Start the exchange process as soon as you settle in. Even if you’re not planning to drive right away, get the paperwork in. DVLA processing times vary-sometimes it’s 10 days, sometimes it’s 6 weeks. If you’re applying near the 12-month deadline, you risk being caught in the gap.

Also, book your theory test early if you’re from a non-exchange country. Test slots in London can be booked out for 4-8 weeks. The sooner you start, the sooner you’re legal.

Final Tip: Keep Your Old Licence

Even after you get your UK licence, keep your foreign one in a safe place. You might need it later-for example, if you move back home, apply for an international job, or rent a car abroad. The UK doesn’t return your old licence after exchange, but you can ask for it back if you’re not exchanging it and just want to drive legally for 12 months.