Renew UK Driver's License overseas
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Hello, I am currently residing in the US. I have a UK driver's license that is to expire in 6 months. I want to know the best way of renewing it without being fined or it looking too suspicious.
I have heard that as soon as you stop residing in the UK, your drivers license becomes invalid. But what happens if I want to go on vacation to Europe and rent a car, would my UK driver's license be void in the EU as well? My paper counterpart is valid until my 70th birthday before I have to renew it so can I use that instead.
I am really confused on what to do and I haven't applied for a US drivers license yet so that is not an option. Or do I get my family to renew it for me online then send it to me overseas?
Thanks.
I have heard that as soon as you stop residing in the UK, your drivers license becomes invalid. But what happens if I want to go on vacation to Europe and rent a car, would my UK driver's license be void in the EU as well? My paper counterpart is valid until my 70th birthday before I have to renew it so can I use that instead.
I am really confused on what to do and I haven't applied for a US drivers license yet so that is not an option. Or do I get my family to renew it for me online then send it to me overseas?
Thanks.
#2
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Hello, I am currently residing in the US. I have a UK driver's license that is to expire in 6 months. I want to know the best way of renewing it without being fined or it looking too suspicious.
I have heard that as soon as no longer reside in the UK, your drivers license becomes invalid. But what happens if I want to go on vacation to Europe and rent a car, would my UK driver's license be void in the EU as well? My paper counterpart is valid until my 70th birthday before I have to renew it so can I use that instead.
I am really confused on what to do and I haven't applied for a US drivers license yet so that is not an option. Or do I get my family to renew it for me then send it to me overseas?
Thanks.
I have heard that as soon as no longer reside in the UK, your drivers license becomes invalid. But what happens if I want to go on vacation to Europe and rent a car, would my UK driver's license be void in the EU as well? My paper counterpart is valid until my 70th birthday before I have to renew it so can I use that instead.
I am really confused on what to do and I haven't applied for a US drivers license yet so that is not an option. Or do I get my family to renew it for me then send it to me overseas?
Thanks.
Why haven't you obtained a US DL?
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Odd, most States do not give residents very long to get a US DL and driving is more an issue here.
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
I am living in the city and don't need a car for work or travel so I haven't applied.
You would think your UK drivers license would be attached to your passport. It sort of is because you can renew your license online and they will use your bio-metric chip passport photo and signature for it. My UK passport allows me to live and work in the EU and I can renew it anywhere in the world so why can't I do the same with my drivers license. UK and EU drivers licenses are very unique and so should the procedures and laws. I personally think passports and drivers license should go where ever the person it belongs to goes. The exception would only come when you have to trade it in for a different countries license.
What about the paper counterpart? Does that have any use in terms of allowing me to drive in the EU?
#5
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Hello Jerseygirl, thanks for the quick response.
I am living in the city and don't need a car for work or travel so I haven't applied.
You would think your UK drivers license would be attached to your passport. It sort of is because you can renew your license online and they will use your bio-metric chip passport photo and signature for it. My UK passport allows me to live and work in the EU and I can renew it anywhere in the world so why can't I do the same with my drivers license. UK and EU drivers licenses are very unique and so should the procedures and laws. I personally think passports and drivers license should go where ever the person it belongs to goes. The exception would only come when you have to trade it in for a different countries license.
What about the paper counterpart? Does that have any use in terms of allowing me to drive in the EU?
I am living in the city and don't need a car for work or travel so I haven't applied.
You would think your UK drivers license would be attached to your passport. It sort of is because you can renew your license online and they will use your bio-metric chip passport photo and signature for it. My UK passport allows me to live and work in the EU and I can renew it anywhere in the world so why can't I do the same with my drivers license. UK and EU drivers licenses are very unique and so should the procedures and laws. I personally think passports and drivers license should go where ever the person it belongs to goes. The exception would only come when you have to trade it in for a different countries license.
What about the paper counterpart? Does that have any use in terms of allowing me to drive in the EU?
Edit: The following is an email reply to me from the DVLA.
I am sorry but it is not possible for an individual who is a UK citizen but is nor longer resident in the UK to apply for a further driving licence.
Changes to British legislation resulting in the implementation of the Second EC Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC) since 1 January 1997, have required that driving licences are granted only to drivers who are resident in this country.
Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:
https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emai...m_drivers.html
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Dec 19th 2012 at 3:32 am.
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
No...when your DL has expired it is no longer valid. There was a ruling a few years ago preventing non UK residents renewing their DLs. Best to get a US DL...even if you don't drive here.
Edit: The following is an email reply to me from the DVLA.
I am sorry but it is not possible for an individual who is a UK citizen but is nor longer resident in the UK to apply for a further driving licence.
Changes to British legislation resulting in the implementation of the Second EC Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC) since 1 January 1997, have required that driving licences are granted only to drivers who are resident in this country.
Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:
https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emai...m_drivers.html
Edit: The following is an email reply to me from the DVLA.
I am sorry but it is not possible for an individual who is a UK citizen but is nor longer resident in the UK to apply for a further driving licence.
Changes to British legislation resulting in the implementation of the Second EC Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC) since 1 January 1997, have required that driving licences are granted only to drivers who are resident in this country.
Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this response then please use our Reply Form or copy and paste the following URL in to your browser:
https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emai...m_drivers.html
If that is the case then I will eventually have to get my US licence and use that for my trips to Europe. It would be a lot easier to use the UK one but if they changed the law then there isn't much I can do really.
Thanks for the email quote from the DVLA and the sound advice with my UK licence issues.
#7
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
If that is the case then I will eventually have to get my US licence and use that for my trips to Europe. It would be a lot easier to use the UK one but if they changed the law then there isn't much I can do really.
Thanks for the email quote from the DVLA and the sound advice with my UK licence issues.
Thanks for the email quote from the DVLA and the sound advice with my UK licence issues.
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 61
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Brendan
#9
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
Learned to drive in the UK that way The Avis staff at Aberdeen Airport did not seem to be terribly concerned that I had never driven on the left before, ha. Now I prefer it. But yes, they won't bat an eyelid at your US license.
#11
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
The only thing I've ever been asked was if I could use a stick!
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,570
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
How does things work regarding getting caught speeding. Either by camera or by getting pulled over?
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
You get a ticket.
#14
Re: Renew UK Driver's License overseas
So what have you been using for ID if you haven't gotten a US license yet?