DRIVING LICENCES - INFO

NEW TO THE UK? New to driving here, but have a valid licence? Then for your own safety, you are strongly advised to consider an assessment and take advice from Want2PASS. Compared with other professional training, the costs are very small, but the benefits to your personal safety may be huge.

OVERSEAS LICENCES: Not sure about your licence? Driving a motor vehicle without a valid licence or insurance in the UK is a criminal offence. If you do not have a valid licence your insurance will be invalid, and in the event of an incident resulting in injury to a third party, you could end up with a lifetime of debt. Please read the summary below to determine if you are allowed to drive in the UK

SUMMARY OF THE RULES FOR IMMIGRANTS AND VISITORS:
The following summary for CAR DRIVERS is derived from the Government website. Rules are complicated and can change from time to time, so you should refer to the Government website here: DIRECT.GOV for the latest and complete information.
1. An overseas provisional licence does not give any entitlement to drive in the UK.
2. A full licence from the EU* will allow you to drive vehicles as described thereon, subject to the same rules for UK motorists, and up to your 70th birthday.
3. After being resident# in GB for 185 days in the previous 12 months, you may apply to exchange your EU* licence for a GB one. (So long as that licence was not granted temporarily in exchange for one from outside the EU or designated countries)
4. A licence from elsewhere in the world is valid in the UK for 12 months only, so if you are resident# (or visiting) longer than that, you must apply for a GB licence and take the GB driving tests.
5. Regardless of your country of origin, after being resident# in GB for 185 days in the previous 12 months you may optionally apply for a GB provisional licence, take the GB driving tests and qualify for a full GB licence.
# ARE YOU RESIDENT? Normal residence means the place where an individual resides because of personal and or occupational ties.
To hold a GB driving licence you will need to have a permanent address in England, Scotland or Wales.
* Certain other designated countries are given the same rules as the EU see DIRECT.GOV for the list.

UPGRADING A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE You will need to take a theory test and practical test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a motorcycle licence and you want a car licence you will need to take a theory test, and vice versa.

UPGRADING AN AUTO ONLY CAR LICENCE: If you want to upgrade within a vehicle category, e.g. if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence, you will not normally need to take a theory test, but you will need to take a practical test.

REVOKED LICENCES If you lost your licence under the ‘New drivers act 1998’ (more than 5 points within two years of passing the test) you will need to apply for a new licence and take both the theory and practical tests again.
If the original licence was issued outside GB, you will need to take the GB tests and obtain a GB licence before continuing to drive in the UK.

Want2PASS does not issue licences, nor assist in obtaining them (e.g. filling in forms), but offers training, help and assistance towards qualifying in the GB driving tests.

Want2PASS can give you valuable driver training in UK motoring rules, law, and practical skills. CALL 01273-502050 to arrange an appointment.