British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Moving back or to the UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/)
-   -   UK Driving Licence Question (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/uk-driving-licence-question-588449/)

Fleaflyfloflum Jan 31st 2009 8:28 pm

UK Driving Licence Question
 
I would normally do a bit of surfing to find out, but I have just trodden on my glasses and broken them :curse:

Does anyone know the procedure for my New Zealand OH to get a UK driving livence when we get there?
I remember when I came here, I had to take some daft theory test to get an Aussie licence. I dont think that applies in UK does it?

Sherro Jan 31st 2009 8:33 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
Hi,

I have an Aussie license and you can use it for 12 months in the UK (same with NZ I think) then it has to be transferred.

Alternatively you can pay 60 quid and change your international one to a UK one, you go to the post office (just not on pension or giro day what ever you d:) and get a form.

Fleaflyfloflum Jan 31st 2009 8:37 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Sherro (Post 7235414)
Hi,

I have an Aussie license and you can use it for 12 months in the UK (same with NZ I think) then it has to be transferred.

Alternatively you can pay 60 quid and change your international one to a UK one, you go to the post office (just not on pension or giro day what ever you d:) and get a form.

Thanks Sherro. Even though we met and married in UK before coming down here, I never relasied he didnt have a UK licence!! Only discovered this yesterday when we were chatting. :huh:

I presume you dont have to wait the 12mths and can do it straight away?

Sherro Jan 31st 2009 8:41 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
yeah you can do it anytime, you just have to have it done within 12 months or they will slap you with a fine if the cops stop you and you have been a registered driver in Uk for more than 12 months and still have an OS passport.

finks Jan 31st 2009 8:43 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
Hi FFFF
Any news yet?
You must have been reading my mind i was thinking about the same thing a few days ago so will be interested to see the answer.
I have the old paper one so do you know out of interest how i can get a photo one?
I will have a look on the DVLA website when i get chance.
We have booked our flights :D :(
We fly out 30 th March i think the Flight Centre expo is coming your way so hopefully your visa will arrive before then.We got some really cheap flights and it looks like we saved $800 :D

Fleaflyfloflum Jan 31st 2009 8:54 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by finks (Post 7235432)
Hi FFFF
Any news yet?
You must have been reading my mind i was thinking about the same thing a few days ago so will be interested to see the answer.
I have the old paper one so do you know out of interest how i can get a photo one?
I will have a look on the DVLA website when i get chance.
We have booked our flights :D :(
We fly out 30 th March i think the Flight Centre expo is coming your way so hopefully your visa will arrive before then.We got some really cheap flights and it looks like we saved $800 :D

Thanks Sherro :thumbup:


Hi Finks. Nope still no news. Starting to get very frustrated. They have had it 4 weeks, and i remember you saying you got yours at the 4 week mark.
Thanks for the heads up on Flight Centre. Will keep an eye out.

I also had the old paper licence. When i was back last year, I just sent it in with a change of address, photos and I think it was about £17 by cheque and received new licence within 2 weeks. No drama at all.

I really want to be back in UK by my birthday which is 28th March. Fingers crossed. We are completely ready to go. OH will just have to give 2 weeks notice at work and we're off.

Donna Allan Feb 1st 2009 3:21 am

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
I've a South African driving licence and it's valid for a year in the UK (I'm in Northern Ireland). We'll have been here a year on the 7th April. I've just applied for my provisional licence and have made a booking to do my theory test on the 17th Feb. Hopefully I'll pass it first time and then it's off to do my driving test. I've been driving for 22 years so having to redo the whole thing again is quite daunting!!! One of the joys of being out of the country for so long.

Marmalade Feb 1st 2009 3:36 am

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
I still have my old paper license from when I moved in 1987. When I get back I'm going to apply for the new one with the photo on it. Will I need to take a test:confused:

Elaine B. Feb 1st 2009 8:19 am

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Donna Allan (Post 7236307)
I've a South African driving licence and it's valid for a year in the UK (I'm in Northern Ireland). We'll have been here a year on the 7th April. I've just applied for my provisional licence and have made a booking to do my theory test on the 17th Feb. Hopefully I'll pass it first time and then it's off to do my driving test. I've been driving for 22 years so having to redo the whole thing again is quite daunting!!! One of the joys of being out of the country for so long.

Hi Donna I did my theory test a few months ago have you tried any of the mock tests you can find online? they're really useful especially to get used to the hazard perception part. Good luck:thumbup:

Bevm Feb 1st 2009 8:41 am

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Elaine B. (Post 7237137)
Hi Donna I did my theory test a few months ago have you tried any of the mock tests you can find online? they're really useful especially to get used to the hazard perception part. Good luck:thumbup:

Are you saying you had a UK licence before you left, and now you're having to do tests to get a new licence there? I didn't think that was the way it went.

Bev

Fleaflyfloflum Feb 1st 2009 11:17 am

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Elaine B. (Post 7237137)
Hi Donna I did my theory test a few months ago have you tried any of the mock tests you can find online? they're really useful especially to get used to the hazard perception part. Good luck:thumbup:

I didnt have to do that, how come you did Elaine? :confused:

finks Feb 1st 2009 6:04 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 
Hi
Managed to get on the DVLA website FFFF and had a look for my hubbie too.
Apparently they can drive for 12 mths on their NZ Licence but after that time they will have to surrender their NZ licence and it will be replaced with a UK one
:ohmy:
If we decide to return to NZ permanently at some stage my hubbie can get his NZ one back.
:confused::confused: How can you have dual nationality get you can`t have two driving licenses
Can`t get my head around that one

I am not sure if he needs to sit a theory or pratical test it gave me the impression you don`t but will have to research that one further
All the forms are on the DVLA website and you can apply online which is great so no standing in queues at the post office.

JAJ Feb 1st 2009 6:17 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by finks (Post 7238515)
How can you have dual nationality get you can`t have two driving licenses
Can`t get my head around that one

Different laws!

Some countries do not demand surrender of a foreign licence, but almost all jurisdictions insist on residence to renew a licence.

So even if you don't have to surrender your overseas licence, it will cease to be any use after it has expired.

If you do have to surrender your licence, always get copies made beforehand (preferably certified) and keep them in a safe place. You can also ask the overseas licence authority for a printout of your driving records, eg date licence issued etc.

Elaine B. Feb 1st 2009 6:38 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum (Post 7237698)
I didnt have to do that, how come you did Elaine? :confused:

I'd never driven before (I only just started to learn to drive in September) so I didn't have a license of any sort;)

Elaine B. Feb 1st 2009 6:40 pm

Re: UK Driving Licence Question
 

Originally Posted by Bevm (Post 7237211)
Are you saying you had a UK licence before you left, and now you're having to do tests to get a new licence there? I didn't think that was the way it went.

Bev

No don't worry I've only started to learn after I moved back.


All times are GMT -12. The time now is 11:41 pm.

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.