Driving in other countries

These pages include extracts from the DVLA's D100 leaflet called "What you need to know about driving licences". You can download the original document by following this link.
This leaflet and these pages gives general information. It is not a statement of law.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information reproduced is correct, Select All cannot not be held responsible for any inaccuracies.

Visiting another country

You may use your GB licence for driving in all other European Community (EC) or European Economic Area (EEA) member states. Check with a motoring organisation if you want to drive in a country that is not in the EC or EEA. They will tell you whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are issued by the AA, the RAC and Green Flag National Breakdown Recovery Club. You must live in Great Britain, have passed a driving test, and be over 18.

Moving to another country 

If you move to another country, you should get information about driving there from the driving licence authorities in that country.

If you return here from a country that is not in the EC or EEA and you do not have a GB licence, you may:

• drive for up to 12 months on a valid non-GB licence;

or

• apply for a replacement of your previous GB licence by paying the appropriate fee and giving up any foreign licence you hold.