Switching from a foreign license to a UK drivers license: What new Londoners need to know

Whether you're planning on driving around the busy streets of London, or venturing out on the road and around the UK countryside, anyone new to London will need to make sure they have a license that is valid in the UK.

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What you need to know about driving in the UK on a non-UK license

Drive on the left of the road 👈

One of the most significant things to note is that when driving in the UK, you drive on the left side of the road. If you come from a country that drives on the left like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or India as examples, you won't have to worry, but if you haven't driven on the left before this switch is an adjustment.

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Your foreign license is valid for a limited time ⏱

In the UK, you can drive on an international license for up to 12 months starting from the date of your arrival in the UK. This means that if you're planning on driving in the UK beyond your first year living in the country, you'll need to switch your home country license to a UK drivers license.

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Car rentals won't rent to you 🚗

Renting a car in the UK is a common choice for travellers and newcomers. However, if you've lived in the UK for 12 months, car rental companies in the UK require drivers to have a valid UK driver's license.

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Your insurance will be void 🙅

It's important to be aware that driving in the UK on a foreign license might impact your insurance coverage. If you're involved in an accident while driving on a foreign license, your insurance provider might not cover the damages. To ensure you're adequately protected, consider the potential risks and explore options to switch to a UK driver's license.

How to switch to a UK license

Switching to a UK license (left side of the road) ⬅️

If you have a driver's license from a country that drives on the left-hand side of the road, such as; Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Japan, switching to a UK driver's license is a relatively straightforward process that requires you to exchange your existing drivers license for a UK drivers license, without taking any additional driving tests.

1. Order a D1 form
   Order form D1 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
2. Pay the fees and return the form at a post office
   Send the form, £43 fee and any documents you need (including your driving licence and proof of passing your test in a manual vehicle if needed) to the address on the form.
3. Receive your UK drivers license
   Your licence will usually arrive within 3 weeks. It might take longer if you’ve told DVLA about a medical condition and your details need to be checked.

It's important to note; you are exchanging your existing license, you will only have a UK drivers license returned to you, you will no longer have a license from your home country.
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Switching to a UK license (right side of the road) ➡️

If you have a driver's license from a country that drives on the right-hand side of the road, such as; the United States, Canada, or France, switching to a UK driver's license requires you to take additional driving tests. You'll need to apply for a provisional license and pass a driving test, which can take several months to complete.

1. Apply for a provisional license
   You can do this online or by filling out a D1 application form, which you can get at a post office. The application fee is £34 if you apply online or £43 if you apply by post.
2. Take the theory test
   You can book the test online or by phone. The test is multiple-choice and costs £23. It covers topics such as road signs, rules of the road, and driving safety.
3. Take driving lessons
   You can choose to take driving lessons with a professional instructor or practice on your own. It's recommended that you take at least 47 hours of lessons before taking the driving test.
4. Practice driving with supervision
   You'll need to log at least 120 hours of driving practice, with 10 of those hours being at night, before taking the driving test.
5. Book the driving test
   You can book the test online or by phone. The test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends and bank holidays.
6. Take the driving test
   The test lasts about 40 minutes and includes a vision test, a safety check of the vehicle, and a driving test on public roads.