To get a UK driving licence
Driving licence in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate motor vehicles on highways and other public roads. It is administered in England, Scotland and Wales by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and in Northern Ireland by the …
European Economic Area
The European Economic Area, which was established via the EEA Agreement in 1992, is an international agreement which enables the extension of the European Union's single market to non-EU member parties. The EEA links the EU member states and three European Free Trade A…
Full Answer
What documents do I need to apply for a UK driving licence?
You must send one of the following identity documents if you do not have a UK passport: You must send the original document with your driving licence application. If you do not have an EU or EEA passport, you’ll need to send in a visa that proves you have permission to live in the UK.
How to get a provisional driving licence in the UK?
Get your first provisional driving licence for a car, motorbike, moped or other vehicle from DVLA online. To apply you must: have legally lived in the UK for at least 185 days in total in the past 12 months If you already have a provisional licence you can:
How long can I Drive in the UK on a licence?
As long as your full licence is valid, you can drive any category of vehicle shown on it for 12 months from the date you arrive in GB. You can drive any registered vehicles that you have driven into GB for a period up to 12 months. You can drive in GB for up to 12 months from the time you started living here.
Do I need a passport to apply for a UK visa?
You must send in an identity document with your application unless you have a valid UK passport (where the photograph and signature are on the same page). You do not need to send your passport in with your application, use the 9-digit passport number instead. There are different rules in Northern Ireland.
Can foreigners get driving license in UK?
Only UK residents can apply for a UK driving licence. So, you'll need to prove you've been living in the country for 185 days within the past 12 months when applying for your licence.
Can I drive in UK on visitor visa?
Can I Drive in England as a Visitor on My License? Visitors to the UK can drive in the UK for up to 12 months with their full and valid license from their home country.
Can you get a driver's license with a student visa UK?
The good news is that you can obtain a UK driver's license as an international student in the UK after following these simple steps. First of all, it is essential to know that driving without a license in the UK or with one that is invalid is a criminal offence and leads to having your car insurance invalidated.
Can foreigners get provisional licence UK?
You don't have to be a British citizen to apply for a UK provisional driving licence, but you will need proof that you will be living in the UK for at least 193 days (6 months). You're also required to provide your addresses for the last 3 years—whether UK based or abroad.
How long do you have to live in the UK to apply for a driving licence?
185 daysTo apply you must: be at least 15 years and 9 months old. be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days.
Can immigrants drive in the UK?
“The ability to obtain and hold a UK driving licence is a privilege and one that only lawful immigrants and citizens should be able to benefit from.” Non-EEA nationals can drive in the UK on a full driving licence issued in their home country for up to 12 months before needing to obtain a UK licence.
Can an international student learn driving in UK?
Learning to drive If you wish to drive a car in the UK but do not currently hold a valid licence to do so, you will need to apply for a provisional licence and then take a theory test and a practical driving test in order to obtain a full licence.
Can an international student own a car in UK?
International students can buy a car in the UK but will need to obtain a driving license and insurance. The process of buying a car in the UK as an international student is similar to that of any other foreigner, and students will need to research their options and budget before making a purchase.
Can an international student buy a house in UK?
Anyone of any nationality and any immigration status can buy and own property in the UK. If you rent out your property, you must pay income tax on the income you receive from rent. Furthermore, renting out a property or buying a property as an investment could be seen as a business activity.
Is it hard to get driving licence in UK?
The UK's driving test is among the most challenging in the world, with the current average pass rate standing at just 45.8%.
How much does it cost to get a driving license in the UK?
Total cost of learning to drive It could cost you a minimum of £1,247 to learn to drive and pass your test, based on: Provisional licence cost £34. Cost of driving lessons £1,128 (average lesson price £24 x average number needed to pass 47) Theory test cost £23.
Can I apply for provisional licence without a UK passport?
Yes, you can apply for a provisional licence without a UK passport as long as you are a resident of the UK. If you don't have a UK passport, you'll need to send an original identity document along with your provisional driving licence application.
Can I drive in UK with Indian license on tourist visa?
The good news is, tourists can drive around Great Britain (i.e. England, Wales and Scotland) on their valid foreign driving licence for up to 12 months from the day they last entered the country. Road trip, anyone?
Can an Indian tourist drive in UK?
Great Britain (Left Lane) The trio of England, Scotland and Wales lets Indian tourists drive for a period of one year on the roads, provided you have a valid license.
How long can I stay in the UK on a tourist visa?
6 monthsYou can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.
Can I leave the UK and come back in on a tourist visa?
The UK doesn't operate exit controls, so the first the immigration authorities know you've left is when you come back! Assuming you're on a tourist visa waiver, you can come and go as long as you continue to meet the terms of your leave of entry.
Identity documents needed for a driving licence application
How you prove your identity for a driving licence application depends on which identity documents you have. There are different rules in Northern I...
Prove your identity using a UK passport
If you have a valid UK passport, write the 9-digit passport number on the application form. Do not send your physical passport. You cannot use the...
Prove your identity using a share code
You can prove your identity with a share code if you previously used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ or ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app when applyi...
If you do not have a UK passport or a share code
You’ll need to send an identity document by post to prove your identity. Send one of the following with your application: a current and valid forei...
If your name or gender has changed
You must provide additional evidence if your name or gender has changed since your identity document or driving licence was issued. If you’ve chang...
What is a visa sticker called?
a current and valid foreign passport, with a visa sticker or stamp (called a ‘vignette’) showing you have permission to live in the UK
Do you get your identity and driving licence separately?
You’ll get your driving licence and identity documents separately .
Before you start
It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
When you can drive with a provisional licence
There are different rules depending on your age and the type of vehicle. Check what vehicles you can drive and when before you start to learn.
How long do you have to be studying to drive in Great Britain?
If you are a student and hold an EC/EEA licence you can drive cars and motorcycles in Great Britain while your licence is valid or until you are 70. If you do not hold a licence you must have been studying here for at least 185 days before you can take a driving test or apply for a full licence.
What is a vocational licence?
A vocational licence is one that entitles you to drive minibuses, buses and medium-size large vehicles weighing over 3500kg and able to tow a trailer over 750kg.These licences can be ‘provisional’ or ‘full’. A provisional licence shows vehicles which you can drive only as a learner. A full licence shows which vehicles you have passed a driving test for.
How long can you drive in GB?
You can drive small vehicles for 12 months from the time you started living in GB. To continue driving you must get a GB licence before the end of the 12 months . You do this by exchanging your licence for a GB one. If you do not do this you must stop driving.
What ID do non-citizen residents need to drive in the U.S.?
If you are eligible to apply for a driver's license, you must get a driver's license from the state where you live.
Do foreigners need a driver's license?
Foreign Nationals Driving in the U.S. People who drive in the U.S. must have a valid driver's license. If you're a foreign visitor, some states require you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid license from your own country.