Overseas Drivers - What you need to Know to drive legally in the UK

If you’ve moved to the UK and already have a driving licence from another country, it can be confusing to know whether you can drive legally — and when you need to pass a UK driving test. The rules are often misunderstood, especially around what happens after your first 12 months of UK residence.

Driving in the UK with an Overseas Licence

At PriPlus Driving School, we regularly help overseas drivers navigate these confusing rules. Here’s a clear guide so you can stay safe, legal, and confident on UK roads.

Step 1 — Identify which group your licence belongs to

The UK recognises three main groups of overseas licences:

EU or EEA licences — Issued by countries in the European Union or European Economic Area.
Designated countries and territories — Specific non-EU countries that have reciprocal agreements with the UK, allowing their licences to be exchanged without a driving test.
All other countries — Any licence from a country not on the designated list.

Step 2 — How long you can drive in the UK

Licence Type	How Long You Can Drive	What Happens Next
EU / EEA licence	You can drive in Great Britain on your EU/EEA licence until it expires. You can exchange it for a UK licence if you wish.	Exchange is usually straightforward and does not require a test.
Designated country licence	You can drive for up to 12 months from the date you become a UK resident.	You can exchange your licence for a UK one without taking a test (but driving on your overseas licence beyond 12 months is not permitted).
Other countries	You can drive for up to 12 months from becoming resident.	To continue driving after 12 months, you must pass both the UK theory and practical tests before that year expires.

Step 3 — The 12-Month Rule (Critical Clarification)

This is where many overseas drivers get caught out.

After you have been resident in the UK for 12 months, you cannot continue driving as a full-licence holder on your overseas licence unless you have:

Exchanged it for a UK licence (if your country is designated), or
Passed the UK driving test (if your country is not designated).

If you miss this 12-month window:

You must stop driving as a full-licence holder.
You must apply for a UK provisional licence.
You can then drive only as a learner (with L-plates, supervision, and insurance).

Driving after 12 months without a valid UK licence means:

You are driving without a valid licence (an offence).
Your insurance may be invalid.
You risk fines, penalty points, or vehicle seizure.

This is why PriPlus emphasises early action — ideally within the first 6–9 months of your UK stay — to allow time for lessons, test preparation, or licence exchange paperwork.

Step 4 — List of Designated Countries and Territories

If your driving licence was issued in one of the countries or territories below, you can exchange it for a UK licence without taking a driving test, provided it’s still valid and you do so within five years of becoming resident (but remember, you can only drive on it for the first 12 months).

Current Designated Countries and Territories (as of 2025):

Andorra
Australia
Barbados
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Hong Kong
Japan
Monaco
New Zealand
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Singapore
South Africa
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Zimbabwe

Note: The official list can occasionally change. Always check the current DVLA or GOV.UK page for updates before applying.

Step 5 — What to Do Next

If your licence is from a designated country:

Apply to exchange your licence as soon as possible — ideally well before your 12-month deadline.
You can use your overseas licence only for your first year of residence, even though you have up to 5 years to complete the exchange.

If your licence is from another country:

Book your UK theory test and start practical lessons early.
Plan to pass both tests before your 12 months end.
PriPlus can help you create a structured plan to ensure you’re ready in time.

How PriPlus Can Help Overseas Drivers

At PriPlus Driving School, we specialise in helping international drivers adapt safely and confidently to UK roads.

We offer:

UK-style refresher lessons for overseas licence holders.
Mock tests to identify what the examiner will expect.
Fast-track courses to help you pass before your 12-month period ends.
Expert guidance on exchanging or applying for a UK licence.

Our instructors focus on safe driving for life, not just test-day success. Many of our international students find that our coaching helps them feel more relaxed, confident, and capable in the UK’s unique driving environment.

What Our Students Say

“I moved from South Africa and had no idea about the 12-month rule. PriPlus explained everything clearly and helped me pass first time!”
— T. Mokoena,

“Coming from Dubai, driving in the UK was very different. My instructor at PriPlus was patient and made sure I understood all the rules.”
— R. Al Mansoori

“The guidance I got from PriPlus was so helpful — especially around what happens after a year in the UK. Highly recommend them!”
— L. Chan

Summary

Type of Licence	Can You Drive on It?	What You Must Do Before 12 Months
EU / EEA	Yes (until expiry)	Exchange if you wish (no test)
Designated Country	Yes (up to 12 months)	Exchange your licence before or after 12 months — but you cannot continue driving beyond 12 months without a full UK licence
All Other Countries	Yes (up to 12 months)	Pass UK theory + practical tests before 12 months, or stop driving and get a provisional licence

Final Tip from PriPlus

Don’t wait until your 12 months are nearly up — that’s when most overseas drivers discover the problem.
Contact PriPlus School of Motoring today for expert help, refresher lessons, and a clear plan to get your full UK driving licence before your time runs out.

Always Check with the DVLA for the latest updates or rule changes