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?

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.

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

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.

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
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

Thanks Sherro


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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

If we decide to return to NZ permanently at some stage my hubbie can get his NZ one back.
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.

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.

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

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