You may be able to use your licence to drive lorries, minibuses or buses in Great Britain
What you can do with your current licence depends on where it’s from.
If your current licence is from the EU or Switzerland
You can drive in Great Britain on your full and valid licence until you’re 45 or for 5 years after you became resident, whichever is shorter.
If you’re over 45 but under 65 you can drive for 5 years or until you are 66, whichever is shorter.
You’ll then need to exchange your licence for a GB licence. You can exchange your licence before this 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 the vehicle weighs more than 3.5 tonnes
If your licence is from the EU, you must register your details with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) within 12 months of becoming resident.
If your current licence is from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
You can drive in Great Britain on your full and valid licence for 12 months from when you became resident.
You’ll then need to exchange your licence for a GB licence. You have 5 years to exchange your licence after becoming resident.
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 current licence is from a designated country
You cannot drive lorries, minibuses or buses using your current licence.
If you want to drive a large vehicle, you’ll need to apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the theory driving test and practical driving test. You’ll then need to qualify as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver.
If you want to drive a small vehicle
You can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months after becoming resident in Great Britain.
You’ll then need to exchange your licence for a GB licence. You have 5 years to exchange your licence after becoming resident.
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 current licence is from any other country
You cannot drive lorries, minibuses or buses using your current licence.
If you want to drive a large vehicle, you’ll need to apply for a GB provisional licence and pass the theory driving test and practical driving test. You’ll then need to qualify as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver.
If you want to drive a small vehicle
You can drive any type of small vehicle (for example cars or motorcycles) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months after becoming resident in Great Britain.
After 12 months, 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.
Your answers
- 2. What kind of driving licence do you have?
- Full lorry, minibus and bus
- Change 2. What kind of driving licence do you have?
- 3. Where did you pass your test?
- European Union or European Economic Area
- Change 3. Where did you pass your test?