Recently moved to the UK from overseas? Wondering how to get a UK driving licence? We’ve put together a quick guide to help you swap your international driving licence for a UK one.
Before you get started, it’s worth checking whether your current licence is already valid in the UK. Some international licences are accepted here for a limited time, depending on where they were issued.
For example, EU licence holders can continue driving in the UK until the age of 70 before they need to exchange their licence.
Find out more about driving in the UK with a foreign licence.
5 Steps to Get Your UK Driving Licence
If your licence isn’t valid in the UK, don’t worry, just follow these five simple steps to exchange it for a UK driving licence.
1. Check whether you meet the legal requirements
To drive in the UK, you need to be over the age of 17 and have a valid licence to drive a car on any public roads. You should also be able to read a licence plate from 20 metres away
Only UK residents can apply for a UK driving licence. So, you’ll need to prove you’ve been living in the country for 185 days within the past 12 months when applying for your licence.
2. Apply for a UK provisional driving licence
You can apply for a provisional driving licence on the DVLA website for £34. You’ll need to provide basic identity details, your addresses from the past 3 years, and (optionally) your National Insurance Number to speed up verification.
If you don’t have a British biometric passport, you’ll need to post your original ID documents, a passport-style photo, and a return envelope to the DVLA in Swansea. The sooner you send these, the faster you’ll get your licence.
If you can’t apply online, you can apply by post using the D1 form from the DVLA website. Include your ID document, a photo, and a £43 cheque or postal order.
Your provisional licence should arrive within 3 weeks of your ID being confirmed.
3. Learn how to drive
If you’ve moved from outside the EU or EEA, you’ll need to take a UK driving test - which means getting in some driving lessons first.
When learning to drive in the UK, you must have a supervisor with you. This can be a friend or family member if they:
- Are 21 or older
- Have a full licence for the car type you’re learning in (manual or automatic)
- Have held their licence for at least 3 years in the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
If you’re learning with a friend or family member, you can’t drive on motorways. To practice on motorways, you’ll need a DVSA-approved instructor with dual controls in their car. You can find approved instructors and check their qualifications on the DVSA website.
Make sure every car you practise in is insured for a learner driver — always double-check with the car owner before driving.
Alongside your practical lessons, you’ll also need to prepare for the theory test, which covers three books: The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs, and Driving – The Essential Skills. Most instructors will help you with theory questions during lessons, and you can take mock tests online through the DVLA website.
4. Take the tests
Book your theory test: When you’re ready, book your theory test on the DVLA website. You’ll need your provisional licence number, personal details, and a £23 payment by card. Remember to bring your provisional licence with you on the day of your test.
Book your driving test: Next up, it’s time to take your practical driving test. Book your driving test online via the DVLA website, entering your details and your instructor’s information if needed. You’ll then choose your test centre and date. Tests cost £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends.
After booking, the DVLA will confirm your test details and send instructions. On the day, take your provisional licence and theory test pass certificate - without them, you can’t take the test.
Once you’ve passed, congratulations - you’re nearly ready to go!
5. Get car insurance and hit the road
Once you’ve passed your test, you’ll need to get car insurance before getting on the road. That’s where Marshmallow comes in. We recognise your driving experience and proof of claim-free driving from abroad, so you could save an average of £392* when you get a quote directly with us.
Get a free quote in minutes to see what you could save today.
*Saving based on internal data for 4304 policies sold via Confused.com from January 2025 to June 2025 to those of UK newcomers living in the UK less than 3 years. The average difference between Marshmallow’s price and the second cheapest price was £392.
