You can drive in Great Britain on your full and valid licence
What you can do depends on where your current licence is from.
If you want to exchange your licence, you may need to provide proof you’ve been given permission to stay in the UK, for example a student visa.
If your current licence is from an EU or EEA country
You can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your full and valid licence as long as it is valid, or until you are 70.
You can exchange your licence for a GB licence if you wish to - for example, if you need a GB licence for your job. You do not have to retake your test to do so.
If you passed your test in another country and exchanged your licence for a licence from an EU or EEA country
You can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months.
You’ll then need to exchange your licence for a GB licence.
If your current licence is from a designated country or territory
The ‘designated countries or territories’ are: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.
You can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months.
You’ll then need to exchange your car or motorcycle licence for a GB licence.
If you do not exchange it within 5 years, you’ll need to apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the theory driving test and practical driving test to drive in Great Britain.
If your licence is from any other country
You’ll need to apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the theory driving test and practical driving test to drive in Great Britain.
You can apply for a provisional licence if you’ve been given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days.
You can take a driving test in Great Britain after you’ve been living here for at least 185 days.