Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
#46
Ex-pat twice?
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Cotswold, UK
Posts: 32
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Actually according to the D1 Form I got from the DVLA there is NO FEE for exchanging a foreign license.
#47
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Finally moving!
Posts: 1,236
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
And exchanging a Canadian licence for an English one is the worst possible thing you could do if you have passed a driving test in England at some time in the past.
#48
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: Cheshire East
Posts: 588
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
If you've ever held a UK license, all you need to do is update to your current details (and possibly get a new photo if DVLA can't *read* your passport photo). I can't remember if I paid a fee, but if I did, it was miniscule.
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: Cheshire East
Posts: 588
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Per the DVLA website:
Canadian driving licence
When exchanging your Canadian driving licence you will only be able to drive automatic vehicles. To be able to drive manual vehicles, you will need to provide acceptable proof from the issuing authority or an approved driving school showing that a manual car test was passed.
If you have previously held a UK license, that might be sufficient proof, but DVLA might question why the OP would want to exchange rather than simply provide current details.
Canadian driving licence
When exchanging your Canadian driving licence you will only be able to drive automatic vehicles. To be able to drive manual vehicles, you will need to provide acceptable proof from the issuing authority or an approved driving school showing that a manual car test was passed.
If you have previously held a UK license, that might be sufficient proof, but DVLA might question why the OP would want to exchange rather than simply provide current details.
#51
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
If you've held a British license previously, that is all the proof you need for a manual licence. My husband exchanged his Canadian licence last year on exactly that basis. It really isn't a problem.
I've never known anyone on this forum experiencing any difficulty.
I've never known anyone on this forum experiencing any difficulty.
#52
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
I'm having problems renewing my licence online as my last licence was issued with my title as MRS but my passport which was issued 2 years ago is MS (as I got divorced but kept surname). I'll have to do a postal renewal at a cost of £5 for photo and £17 for renewal fee.
#53
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Thanks for all the help everyone. So the general consensus is that I should just update my details and not go through the whole process of exchanging my Canadian licence.
I know my GB Driver number as I photocopied my old licence before changing it for the Canadian one. I also checked my details using the online DVLA checker and it just tells me that a licence was issued by another authority.
EDIT: Should I update my details online or use the form D1?
I know my GB Driver number as I photocopied my old licence before changing it for the Canadian one. I also checked my details using the online DVLA checker and it just tells me that a licence was issued by another authority.
EDIT: Should I update my details online or use the form D1?
Last edited by BenBuzz; Jun 30th 2015 at 12:39 pm.
#54
Ex-pat twice?
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Cotswold, UK
Posts: 32
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Note that you cant just update your details if you obtained a Canadian License by exchanging your UK one in Canada. You can check the DVLA site by providing your Uk Drivers number and it will tell you that you exchanged it for a foreign license.
This was the first thing I checked, you have to exchange back.
If you got your Canadian License without exchanging your UK one then its different, but short of taking a test in Canada I don't see how you would have done this.
This was the first thing I checked, you have to exchange back.
If you got your Canadian License without exchanging your UK one then its different, but short of taking a test in Canada I don't see how you would have done this.
#55
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Note that you cant just update your details if you obtained a Canadian License by exchanging your UK one in Canada. You can check the DVLA site by providing your Uk Drivers number and it will tell you that you exchanged it for a foreign license.
This was the first thing I checked, you have to exchange back.
If you got your Canadian License without exchanging your UK one then its different, but short of taking a test in Canada I don't see how you would have done this.
This was the first thing I checked, you have to exchange back.
If you got your Canadian License without exchanging your UK one then its different, but short of taking a test in Canada I don't see how you would have done this.
#56
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,578
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
Despite having left the UK in 1998 and having lost my pink paper license, I followed your advice and retrieved my driving licence number from Gov.UK. However, to change my address (we move to UK in early-January), it appears that I will need to wait until the move. The form also appears to require a UK residential address for the last 3 years. Presumably that can be waived if moving back from overseas. Until then, can I drive on my UAE driving licence?
#57
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: Cheshire East
Posts: 588
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
We just updated to our new UK address as soon as we returned to the UK in 2011. You can drive on a foreign license for 12 months, but that usually means higher insurance premiums.
Don't worry about the 3-year UK residential address history.
Don't worry about the 3-year UK residential address history.
#58
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
The paper Form D1 doesn't require your address history, just a current UK address.
#59
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1,654
Re: Re applying for UK driving licence when returning perm to UK
This is just for information as our situation is slightly easier as we moved back to our old address. Before we left Canada, BC, we got a letter from ICBC to validate no claims, then within the first week took our old cards with address on although expired and paper copy to a large post office and they did the application for us including taking photos. A few days later we got our new card licences. We still have our BC driving licences and have not surrended them.