If you’re a resident in the UK holding a foreign driving licence, you might be eligible to exchange it for a British one. This process can save you time and effort compared to retaking the driving test. It’s especially useful for anyone who drives professionally, such as taxi drivers, who need to maintain continuous eligibility to operate.
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Understanding the eligibility criteria
Residency requirements
To exchange your foreign driving licence for a UK one, you must be a resident of Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales). Residency is typically defined as living in the UK for 185 days or more in a calendar year. Taxi drivers and other professional drivers should be particularly mindful of this requirement, as driving commercially without a valid UK licence can have legal and insurance consequences.
Recognised or designated countries
The UK has reciprocal agreements with certain countries, allowing nationals from these countries to exchange their licences without retaking the UK driving test. These are known as ‘designated countries‘ and include:
- Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada
- Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong
- Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore
- South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, UAE, Zimbabwe
Northern Ireland Residents: If you’re a resident of Northern Ireland, you must apply via the DVA in Coleraine. The process is similar, but postal addresses and forms differ.
Residents of Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man: People from these Crown dependencies may exchange their licence through DVLA. Proof of residency is required.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: Licence holders who are EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can usually exchange their foreign driving licence for a UK licence without needing a UK test.
For taxi drivers, exchanging a licence from one of these countries ensures you can continue driving commercially without interruption.
Non-designated countries
If your licence was issued in a country not listed above, you may still be able to drive in the UK for up to 12 months from the date you became a resident. After this period, you would need to apply for a provisional UK licence and pass both the theory and practical driving tests. This is particularly important for professional drivers, as failure to exchange in time may prevent legal operation.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: Citizens from non-EU/EEA countries may need additional steps.Non-EU/EEA citizens:
Vocational licence holders
Professional drivers with vocational licences (e.g., Category C/D) may need to submit extra documentation to prove competence.
The exchange process
1. Obtain the correct application form
- D1 form for DVLA (Great Britain)
- DVA forms for Northern Ireland
2. Gather required documents
- Original foreign driving licence
- Passport-sized photograph
- Proof of identity (passport or BRP)
- Proof of UK residency (utility bill, bank statement)
- Application fee (£43)
3. Submit your application
- DVLA (Great Britain): Swansea, SA99 1AD
- DVA (Northern Ireland): Coleraine, BT51 3TB
The DVLA/DVA will return your foreign licence to the issuing authority.
4. Await processing
Processing usually takes up to 3 weeks. Drivers who rely on their vehicle professionally, such as taxi drivers, should plan for potential downtime while waiting for their UK licence.
Additional rules for specific licences
DVLA Moldovan licence exchange
From 1 August 2025, Moldovan licence holders residing in the UK can exchange their licence for a UK one without taking a theory or practical test. This is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and Moldova, which also allows UK licence holders to exchange for a Moldovan licence.
Requirements:
- Apply within five years of obtaining UK residency.
- Provide proof of UK residency and a valid Moldovan driving licence.
Ukrainian licence holders
Ukrainian licence holders can use their licence in the UK for up to 4 years and 6 months, depending on the date of entry clearance or permission to stay. This applies to those under the following visa schemes:
- Ukraine Family Scheme visa
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visa
- Ukraine Extension Scheme visa
- Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme visa
Exchanging an Australian manual licence
If your Australian licence covers manual vehicles, you can typically exchange it for a UK licence with the same entitlement.
Important:
- In certain regions (ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, VIC), you must provide evidence that your test was taken in a manual vehicle.
- Licences obtained with an automatic test only allow driving automatic vehicles in the UK.
DVLA Canadian licence exchange
Canadian licence holders can exchange their licence for a UK one. Manual driving entitlement requires proof of a manual driving test; otherwise, only automatic vehicles can be driven.
LDVL form for UAE licence exchange
UAE licence holders must submit a Licence Data Verification Letter (LDVL) from the UAE Ministry of Interior, along with the D1 form and £43 fee.
Steps:
- Log in to UAE PASS
- Select “To whom it may concern certificates” → “Licence Data Verification Letter”
- Include LDVL, D1 form, fee, and any additional documents in your exchange application.
Understanding vehicle categories and large vehicle registration
Your UK driving licence displays category codes that define the types of vehicles you are legally allowed to drive.
- Taxi drivers: Ensure your licence codes match your commercial vehicle type (e.g., Category B for standard taxis, D1 for minibuses).
Form D9 for large vehicles
If you drive a bus with more than 9 seats or a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, you must register your non-UK licence with the DVLA.
Application: Send your completed form, along with your licence and any supporting documents, to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BH
Common issues to avoid during the exchange of a foreign licence
- Expired or invalid licences: Always ensure your foreign licence is valid at the time of application.
- Incorrect forms: Use D1 for DVLA (GB) or the correct DVA form for Northern Ireland.
- Missing or illegible documents: Submit clear, original documents only; photocopies are not accepted.
- Name mismatches: Names on all documents must match exactly.
- Residency proof: Include current utility bills, bank statements, or official documents.
- Licence type mismatches: Check manual vs automatic categories, and vocational codes for professional drivers.
- Country-specific requirements: Some countries (UAE, Moldova, Australia, Canada, Ukraine) require additional forms or translations.
- Medical conditions: Disclose any medical conditions affecting your ability to drive, especially for professional licences.
Exchanging a foreign driving licence in the UK is straightforward if you follow the correct procedures and provide all required documentation. Awareness of country-specific rules, vocational licences, and residency requirements helps avoid common delays.
Professional drivers, such as taxi drivers, should prioritise timely exchanges to maintain legal eligibility and prevent interruptions to their work.
