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Q416: I have a European driving licence; how long can I drive with it in this country?

Answer

Coming to live in Great Britain
If you have a valid EU/EEA licence, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence for the periods set out below.

Ordinary licences:
Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer.

The phrase 'Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer', means that you can drive in the UK any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your valid EU/EEA licence until you are 70. The three-year element relates to someone who came to live in the UK at say the age of 68, they could drive until they were 71 on their EU licence because it is the longer of the two periods i.e. 70 or for three years, whichever is longer.

Please note that someone can drive in Great Britain for only 12 months if they got their EU licence by exchanging a non-EU licence.


Vocational licences:

  • If you are younger than 45, until you are 45 or have lived in Great Britain for five years, whichever is longer.
  • If you are over 45 but under 65, until you are 66 or have lived in Great Britain for five years, whichever is sooner.
  • If you are aged 65 or over, until you have lived in Great Britain for 12 months.

You must get a British driving licence to continue driving in Great Britain after these periods.

Visiting Great Britain
If you have a valid EU/EEA licence and you are visiting Great Britain, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence.

Please note that someone can drive in Great Britain for only 12 months if they got their EU licence by exchanging a non-EU licence.

Register of European Union licence holders

Ordinary licences:
If you have an EU/EEA ordinary licence, you do not have to register, but you can if you want to.

Vocational licences:
By law, if you come to live in Great Britain and hold an EU/EEA vocational licence you must register your details with the DVLA within 12 months of moving here. To register you will need to fill in, 'Application to register a non GB driving licence' (D9). You can:

Further information
The following questions may also be of use:

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Replace a lost or stolen motorcycle CBT certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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An LGV is a vehicle that weighs over 3,500 kg (3 and a half tonnes).
 
Drivers will need a different licence entitlement to drive different types of buses, coaches and lorries. Drivers must hold full (not provisional) category B entitlement (car) before they can take an LGV or PCV test . They must also gain a full category entitlement for a vehicle before taking a second test to add the trailer entitlement (+E). No additional entitlement is required to tow trailers that weigh less than 750 kg. If at any stage the driver loses their car licence entitlement, they will also automatically lose their LGV or PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) licence.
 
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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), on behalf of the Traffic Commissioners, maintain the Operator Licensing scheme. DVSA process all Operator Licence applications. The DVSA website includes comprehensive guidance on how to apply and manage licence details, which can now be changed electronically.
 
Further information can be obtained from either the DVLA or the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DSVA).

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Answer

The usual length of time to return a licence is four weeks. If you have still not received your licence back after this length of time you should contact the Central Ticket/Fixed Penalty Office of the police force involved, they should be able to assist you.

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You should inform your insurance company of any penalty points you have received. The details you provide to them form the basis for your insurance quote and subsequent insurance cover. If any of the details change or are incorrect and you do not inform your insurer, it may affect your cover.

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Answer

To hold a licence to drive a moped you have to be 16 years old. To hold a licence for a car you have to be 17 years old, unless you are getting or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in which case the minimum age is 16. To ride a motorcycle you have to be 17 years old.

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Question

Q416: I have a European driving licence; how long can I drive with it in this country?

Answer

Coming to live in Great Britain
If you have a valid EU/EEA licence, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence for the periods set out below.

Ordinary licences:
Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer.

The phrase 'Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer', means that you can drive in the UK any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your valid EU/EEA licence until you are 70. The three-year element relates to someone who came to live in the UK at say the age of 68, they could drive until they were 71 on their EU licence because it is the longer of the two periods i.e. 70 or for three years, whichever is longer.

Please note that someone can drive in Great Britain for only 12 months if they got their EU licence by exchanging a non-EU licence.


Vocational licences:

  • If you are younger than 45, until you are 45 or have lived in Great Britain for five years, whichever is longer.
  • If you are over 45 but under 65, until you are 66 or have lived in Great Britain for five years, whichever is sooner.
  • If you are aged 65 or over, until you have lived in Great Britain for 12 months.

You must get a British driving licence to continue driving in Great Britain after these periods.

Visiting Great Britain
If you have a valid EU/EEA licence and you are visiting Great Britain, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence.

Please note that someone can drive in Great Britain for only 12 months if they got their EU licence by exchanging a non-EU licence.

Register of European Union licence holders

Ordinary licences:
If you have an EU/EEA ordinary licence, you do not have to register, but you can if you want to.

Vocational licences:
By law, if you come to live in Great Britain and hold an EU/EEA vocational licence you must register your details with the DVLA within 12 months of moving here. To register you will need to fill in, 'Application to register a non GB driving licence' (D9). You can:

Further information
The following questions may also be of use:
 
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