Retain UK drivers license?
Oct 25th 2010, 1:12 pm
#16
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 537
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
If you've obtained your UK licence whilst not a UK resident you've obtained it illegally. I know this because I wrote to the DVLA a few weeks ago and asked them. If you look at the small print on the insurance policy one of the conditions is probably that the driver has a valid licence. I wouldn't put any weight on what you are told during a conversation...get it in writing that they will cover you when you are driving using a UK licence that was obtained illegally.
Oct 25th 2010, 1:28 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,894
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
"You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately of any changes to your name, address or both."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
Oct 25th 2010, 1:43 pm
#18
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,110
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
"You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately of any changes to your name, address or both."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
Oct 26th 2010, 2:36 am
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
However I believe your entitlement doesn't expire, you just don't have a valid drivers license.
Oct 26th 2010, 3:39 am
#20
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,176
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
I never got rid of my paper one for that very reason
Well I lie, I never got it changed because I was to lazy, but it had it's bonus benefits
Oct 26th 2010, 3:51 am
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,894
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
Oct 27th 2010, 9:15 am
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
"You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately of any changes to your name, address or both."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022088
Though that does say:
Remember, if you permanently move to another country, you can’t register your new address on your British driving licence. You’ll need to contact the driving licence authority in your country of residence.
Nov 11th 2010, 2:22 am
#24
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 3
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
So what options do we expats have then?
Nov 11th 2010, 7:00 am
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 3
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
Oh OK!
Is that perfectly OK then? To use a US licence on the roads in Britain?
What about insurance if you're using a US licence?
If i borrow my parents car when i go back over, is the US licence OK to use?
Is that perfectly OK then? To use a US licence on the roads in Britain?
What about insurance if you're using a US licence?
If i borrow my parents car when i go back over, is the US licence OK to use?
Nov 11th 2010, 7:42 am
#27
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,110
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
For car rental you can use your US licence. You will have to check with your parent's insurance company if they will insure a non UK resident using a US DL.
Nov 17th 2010, 11:39 am
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
Given that some UK insurance companies have "issues" insuring people on an EU license, I think the chances are slim - I could only ever find one company that would have been happy to cover my wife driving one of my cars in the UK and that happened to be a UK branch of a large US classic car insurance co.
Nov 17th 2010, 1:35 pm
#29
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,110
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
Given that some UK insurance companies have "issues" insuring people on an EU license, I think the chances are slim - I could only ever find one company that would have been happy to cover my wife driving one of my cars in the UK and that happened to be a UK branch of a large US classic car insurance co.
Nov 17th 2010, 1:46 pm
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Silicone Valley
Posts: 1,730
Re: Retain UK drivers license?
Given that some UK insurance companies have "issues" insuring people on an EU license, I think the chances are slim - I could only ever find one company that would have been happy to cover my wife driving one of my cars in the UK and that happened to be a UK branch of a large US classic car insurance co.
