--- title: Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Great Britain country: "united-kingdom" service: "exchange-driving-licence" category: transportation difficulty: moderate estimated_time: "Within 3 weeks (postal); months for the test-required path" cost_range: "GBP 43 (single fee) or GBP 128+ (test-required path)" last_verified: 2026-05-11 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/united-kingdom/exchange-driving-licence/ status: current confidence: low tags: - "driving-licence" - dvla - "first-year" - residence sources: - https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence - https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence - https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence - https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees - https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost - https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea - https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence - https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/regulation/80/made --- # Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Great Britain **Country:** 🇬🇧 United Kingdom **Last verified:** 2026-05-11 **Estimated time:** Within 3 weeks (postal); months for the test-required path **Cost:** GBP 43 (single fee) or GBP 128+ (test-required path) ## Required documents - **Completed application form D1 or D2** *(D1 form (cars/motorbikes) / D2 form (lorries/buses))* - Where to get: Most Post Offices stock D1 (Application for a driving licence) and D2 (Application for a lorry/bus driving licence) - Required: Original, signed, completed in black ink - _Note:_ Use D1 for cars and motorbikes; use D2 for lorries and buses (vocational categories C1, C, CE, D1, D, DE). - **Original foreign driving licence** - Required: Original, in date (valid in the issuing country) - _Note:_ DVLA retains your foreign licence during processing and on issuing the GB licence. - **Identity document** - Accepted: Current passport (most common identity proof for the postal application) - Required: Original, valid - **Colour passport-type photograph** - Required: A colour passport-type photograph, per the D1 form notes - _Note:_ Photo specifications are printed on the D1 form notes — follow them rather than guessing dimensions. - **Fee — cheque or postal order** - Amount: GBP 43 - Payable to: DVLA - Method: Cheque or postal order — no cash - _Note:_ Cheques or postal orders payable to DVLA, no cash (gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence). - **Medical examination report (D2 applicants only)** *(Form D4)* - Who completes it: A doctor; required for vocational categories due to the higher fitness standard - When required: Lorry/bus exchange applicants on form D2 - _Note:_ The D4 form itself is free from DVLA; the doctor typically charges for the examination. ## Costs - **Foreign-licence exchange (D1 or D2, by post):** 43 GBP — Per gov.uk/driving-licence-fees: 'Full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence, if a previous GB licence not held' — GBP 43. - **GB provisional driving licence — online (test-required path only) (optional):** 34 GBP — Required only on the test-required path; not used by EU/EEA-recognition or designated-country exchange applicants. - **GB provisional driving licence — postal (test-required path only) (optional):** 43 GBP — Postal alternative to the GBP 34 online provisional fee. - **Theory test — cars (test-required path only) (optional):** 23 GBP — Per gov.uk/driving-test-cost: 'GBP 23 for cars'. Combines multiple-choice questions and hazard perception. - **Practical test — cars, weekday (test-required path only) (optional):** 62 GBP — Per gov.uk/driving-test-cost: weekday car practical test. - **Practical test — cars, evening or weekend (test-required path only) (optional):** 75 GBP — Per gov.uk/driving-test-cost: evening or weekend car practical test. - **Replacement licence (lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed) (optional):** 20 GBP — Per gov.uk/driving-licence-fees. ## Steps ### 1. Identify your exchange route - EU/EEA recognition — full driving licences from EU or EEA Member States (the EU 27 plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) remain valid for driving in Great Britain while in force. No exchange is required; voluntary exchange is available on form D1 or D2. - Designated-country exchange — full driving licences from a DVLA-designated country may be exchanged by post for a GB licence without taking a test, within 5 years of becoming resident in GB. - Test-required path — if your country is neither EU/EEA nor DVLA-designated, the exchange route is closed. You must apply for a GB provisional driving licence and pass the GB theory and practical tests. > **Tip:** Per gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence: you may drive in GB for 12 months on your foreign licence — this is a window to exchange or test, not permission to drive on an expired foreign licence. Your foreign licence must remain in date in its issuing country throughout the 12 months. _Links:_ - [gov.uk — Exchange a foreign driving licence (Start now tool)](https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence) - [gov.uk — Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence](https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence) - [gov.uk — EU and EEA member states](https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea) ### 2. Confirm you are eligible to exchange _Applies when: EU/EEA-recognition (voluntary exchange) or Designated-country exchange applicants_ - Confirm you are resident in Great Britain — per gov.uk: 'You're normally a resident if you live in Great Britain for 185 days in each calendar year.' - Confirm your foreign licence is a full driving licence (not a provisional or learner equivalent — those cannot be exchanged). - Confirm you can read a number plate from 20 metres away (the GB eyesight standard). - Designated-country applicants only: confirm you became resident in GB less than 5 years ago. After 5 years the exchange-without-test window closes and the test-required path applies. > **Tip:** Northern Ireland licence-holders moving to GB are treated as GB residents — the foreign-exchange procedure does not apply. Per gov.uk: 'Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland. There's a different process if you want to get a Northern Ireland driving licence.' > **If this fails:** If your foreign licence has expired in its issuing country, DVLA will not exchange it and you cannot rely on the 12-month grace window. Either renew the foreign licence first (if practical) or apply for a GB provisional licence and take the GB theory and practical tests. ### 3. Collect form D1 or form D2 from a Post Office *(D1 form (cars/motorbikes) / D2 form (lorries/buses))* - Cars, motorbikes and mopeds (categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE) — pick up form D1, 'Application for a driving licence', from most Post Offices. - Lorries, buses and minibuses (vocational categories C1, C, CE, D1, D, DE) — pick up form D2, 'Application for a lorry/bus driving licence', from most Post Offices. - Read the photo specifications and declarations printed on the form notes before completing. > **Tip:** If you are not sure which categories your foreign licence covers, check the gov.uk driving-licence-categories page before completing the form — DVLA category codes (AM, A, B, C, D, etc.) are not identical to all foreign category systems. _Links:_ - [gov.uk — Driving licence categories](https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories) ### 4. Assemble the document pack - Completed and signed D1 (cars/motorbikes) or D2 (lorries/buses) form. - Original foreign driving licence (DVLA retains this on issuing your GB licence). - Original identity document — typically a current passport. - Colour passport-type photograph, per the photo specifications on the D1 form notes. - Fee of GBP 43 by cheque or postal order payable to DVLA. No cash. - D2 applicants only: completed form D4 medical examination report (the doctor signs this; the D4 form itself is free from DVLA, but doctors typically charge for the examination). > **Tip:** Per gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence — payment is by 'cheques or postal orders payable to DVLA — no cash'. Do not enclose cash with your application. ### 5. Send the pack to DVLA Swansea - Cars and motorbikes (form D1) — DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BU. - Lorries and buses (form D2) — DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR. - Recorded delivery is recommended given that the original foreign licence is enclosed. > **Tip:** DVLA keeps your foreign licence during processing. You will be without a valid driving licence in either jurisdiction between the day DVLA receives your foreign licence and the day the new GB licence arrives — do not initiate the exchange the week before a critical journey. ### 6. Wait for the new GB licence - Per gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence: 'The DVLA will aim to send your licence within 3 weeks, though it may take longer if medical or personal details require checking.' - Watch for DVLA correspondence requesting medical evidence or a D4 medical examination report — common for D2 vocational categories or where you have declared a notifiable medical condition. - On arrival, check that all categories on the new GB photocard licence match what you held on the foreign licence. > **Tip:** If 3 weeks pass without arrival or correspondence, contact DVLA via gov.uk/contact-the-dvla for case-specific guidance. _Links:_ - [gov.uk — Contact DVLA](https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla) ### 7. Take the GB theory and practical tests (test-required path only) _Applies when: Your country is neither EU/EEA nor DVLA-designated_ - Apply for a GB provisional driving licence at gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence — GBP 34 online or GBP 43 postal. - Book and pass the theory test — GBP 23 for cars (multiple-choice questions plus hazard perception). - Book and pass the practical test — GBP 62 weekday or GBP 75 evening/weekend for cars. - On passing, DVSA notifies DVLA and DVLA issues your full GB driving licence. > **Tip:** Until you hold a GB provisional licence, the 12-month window from becoming resident is the only basis on which you may drive in GB on your foreign licence — and only while that foreign licence remains in date in its issuing country. _Links:_ - [gov.uk — Apply for your first provisional driving licence](https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence) - [gov.uk — Driving test cost](https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost) ## FAQ ### Do I have to exchange my EU/EEA driving licence? No. A full driving licence issued by an EU or EEA Member State remains valid for driving in Great Britain while it is in force. Exchange is voluntary — for example, on home-licence expiry, when adding a category, after a long-term move, or for administrative convenience. Non-EU/EEA single-market participants follow the designated-country exchange route — confirm your route via the gov.uk Start-now tool. ### How long can I drive in Great Britain on my foreign licence? Up to 12 months from when you became resident in GB, provided your foreign licence is valid in the issuing country during that window. The 12 months is your window to either exchange the licence (if EU/EEA or DVLA-designated) or pass the GB theory and practical tests. After 12 months you must hold either a full GB licence or a GB provisional licence. This is not permission to drive on an expired foreign licence — the licence must be in date in its issuing country throughout the 12 months. ### Is my country a DVLA-designated country? DVLA publishes the designated-country list through an interactive country lookup at gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence — enter your country to confirm whether you can exchange directly, or whether you must take a UK theory and practical test. The list is amended from time to time, so the live tool is the only reliable source. ### How much does the exchange cost? GBP 43 — per gov.uk/driving-licence-fees: 'Full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence, if a previous GB licence not held'. Pay by cheque or postal order payable to DVLA — no cash. ### How long does DVLA take to send my new licence? Per gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence: 'The DVLA will aim to send your licence within 3 weeks, though it may take longer if medical or personal details require checking.' DVLA keeps your foreign licence during processing — plan accordingly. ### Where do I send my application? DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BU for cars and motorbikes (form D1). DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR for lorries and buses (form D2). Both addresses are per gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence. ### I hold a Northern Ireland licence and just moved to England — do I need to exchange? No. A Northern Ireland licence is a UK licence and is not subject to the foreign-exchange procedure. Per gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence: 'Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland. There's a different process if you want to get a Northern Ireland driving licence.' An NI licence-holder moving to GB is treated as a GB resident for vehicle entitlements. ### Can I exchange a provisional or learner foreign licence? No. DVLA exchange routes are for full foreign driving licences only. Provisional or learner-equivalent foreign licences do not qualify. Apply for a GB provisional licence (GBP 34 online or GBP 43 postal) and complete the UK theory and practical tests. ## Sources - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Exchange a foreign driving licence (Start now tool)](https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Great Britain is defined as England, Wales and Scotland; a separate process applies for a Northern Ireland driving licence. The DVLA-designated-country list is rendered inside the interactive Start-now tool — readers must enter their country to confirm whether direct exchange is available or whether the test-required path applies. - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence](https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Operational tool for non-GB licence holders; entry point for the 12-month window during which a foreign-licence holder may drive in GB while exchanging or preparing to take the GB theory and practical tests, provided the foreign licence remains in date in its issuing country. - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Exchange a paper driving licence (postal procedure)](https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Postal procedure: 'You must include the original identity documents, a colour passport-type photograph, and the GBP 20 fee if applicable (as cheques or postal orders payable to DVLA — no cash).' Foreign-licence exchange uses the GBP 43 fee from gov.uk/driving-licence-fees. DVLA addresses: 'DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BU' for cars and motorbikes; 'DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR' for lorries and buses. Processing: 'The DVLA will aim to send your licence within 3 weeks, though it may take longer if medical or personal details require checking.' - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Driving licence fees](https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Fee schedule: 'Full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence, if a previous GB licence not held' costs GBP 43. First provisional licence: GBP 34 online; GBP 43 by post. Replacement (lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed): GBP 20. Photo change: GBP 14 online; GBP 17 by post. Renewing because you're 70 or over: free. - [DVSA / GOV.UK — Driving test cost](https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Car tests: theory test 'GBP 23 for cars'; practical test GBP 62 weekday or GBP 75 evening/weekend. Motorcycle tests: theory test GBP 23; Module 1 (off-road) GBP 15.50; Module 2 (on-road) GBP 75 weekday or GBP 88.50 evening/weekend. Lorry, minibus, bus and coach (Driver CPC tests): Part 1a (theory multiple choice) GBP 26; Part 1b (theory hazard perception) GBP 11; Part 2 (case studies) GBP 23; Part 3a (off-road exercises) GBP 40; Part 3b (on-road driving) GBP 115 weekday or GBP 141 evening/weekend; Part 4 (practical demonstration) GBP 55 weekday or GBP 63 evening/weekend. - [GOV.UK — EU and EEA](https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — EU Countries (27 total): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. EEA additional members: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland participates in the single market but holds neither EU nor EEA membership status. - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Apply for your first provisional driving licence](https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Provisional licence eligibility includes the eyesight standard 'be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away'. Provisional licence fees: GBP 34 online; GBP 43 by post. 'Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.' Identity proof — 'usually involves using photo ID like a passport.' - [DVLA / GOV.UK — Driving licence categories](https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Vehicle category framework: 'To drive a particular type of vehicle, you need an entitlement for that category on your driving licence.' DVLA category codes (AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1, BE, C1, C, CE, D1, D, DE, etc.) determine licence entitlement. 'Driving licence categories are different in Northern Ireland.' - [GOV.UK — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (about)](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) responsible for maintaining driver and vehicle records, issuing licences and registration certificates, collecting Vehicle Excise Duty, enforcing tax compliance, and supporting law enforcement. - [The National Archives — legislation.gov.uk (Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, Regulation 80)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/regulation/80/made) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Statutory framing for the 12-month recognition window: 'the holder of a relevant permit ... shall be treated as the holder of a licence under Part III of the Traffic Act authorising him to drive all classes of small vehicle, motor bicycle or moped.' 'Relevant permit' is defined as 'a domestic driving permit, a Convention driving permit, or a British Forces (BFG) driving licence'. The recognition runs for one year from becoming resident in Great Britain. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/united-kingdom/exchange-driving-licence/