If you're a UK resident, how long your international licence remains valid depends on which country issued it. Here’s a simple breakdown.

Licences from the EU or EEA

You can use your EU or EEA licence in the UK until you turn 70.

  • If you were 67 or older when you became a UK resident, you can drive on your EU licence for 3 years from the date you became a resident.
  • After that, you’ll need to exchange your EU licence for a British one.

Licences from ‘designated countries’

If your licence was issued by one of the following countries, you can drive for up to 12 months from the date you became a UK resident:

  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Korea
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Zimbabwe

To keep driving after 12 months, you’ll need to exchange your licence for a full UK one. No test is required.

Licences from all other countries

If your licence isn’t from the EU/EEA or a designated country, it can still be used for up to 12 months from when you became a UK resident.

After that, you’ll need to apply for a UK provisional licence, pass both theory and practical tests, and then get a full UK driving licence before continuing to drive.

Not sure what applies to you?

You can check how long your licence is valid using the DVLA’s official tool: Check your driving licence rules

It’s a quick and easy way to get tailored information based on where your licence is from and how long you’ve lived in the UK.