Driving in Great Britain (GB) as a visitor or a new resident
For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/driving
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Contents
1 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA licences) 2 Northern Ireland driving licences 3 Countries we have agreements with for exchanging licences (designated countries) 4 Licences from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man 5 All other countries 6 Driving in Great Britain as a student 7 How to exchange your non-GB licence for a GB licence 8 How to apply for a provisional GB driving licence 9 How to get our forms and leaflets 10 Further information 11 Quick summary table
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This leaflet explains the current rules affecting people who have non-GB driving licences and are visiting, or have come to live in, Great Britain. All drivers must meet the minimum age requirements for driving in Great Britain. Generally, you must be: n 17 to drive a car or a motorcycle n 18 to drive a medium-sized vehicle (for example, a vehicle between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer up to 750kg), and n 21 to drive a large lorry or a bus. Booklet INS57P, ‘Information on driving licences’, gives more information on minimum ages. The information in this booklet applies to both ‘ordinary’ and ‘vocational’ licences (see below).
Vocational licences
A vocational licence is one that entitles you to drive minibuses and buses, and medium-sized or large vehicles weighing over 3500kg and able to tow a trailer over 750kg. These licences can be ‘provisional’ or ‘full’. A provisional licence shows which vehicles you can drive only as a learner. A full licence shows which vehicles you have passed a driving test for.
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European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA licences)
Ordinary licences
An ordinary licence is one which entitles you to drive cars, motorcycles and small vehicles (those weighing
