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Driving in the UK

Can I drive in the UK?

Nationals of all countries can use their national driving licence to drive in the UK for the first year of residence.

If you intend to drive in the UK for more than one year, you will need to take the UK driving test.

What do I need to know about driving in the UK?

To drive in the UK you must have:

  • a valid driving licence; and
  • valid insurance – it is compulsory to have insurance in the UK.

The car you are driving must:

  • be properly registered;
  • have a current tax disc; and
  • have a current MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate.

In the UK, we drive on the left side of the road. There may be some different laws and rules that you should be aware of so we recommend booking a couple of driving lessons in the UK to become familiar with these.

For more information, visit The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website.

Contact us

International enquiries
Tel: +44(0)20 8417 3411