Theory online - INF38 - Driving in Great Britain (GB) as a visitor or a new resident

The interactive website that partners The Car and Motorcycle Theory Test book

Buy a Copy Now Car Learners Marking Sheets Your road to a full licence Getting Started Before you go out on the road Starting to Drive The Car Theory Test Applying for the Theory Test Sitting the Theory Test Sitting the Hazard Perception Section of the Theory Test Are Your Ready for the Practical Driving Test Applying for the Practical Driving Test The Day of the Driving Test Car Drivers Show me Tell Me Questions and Answers Show Me questions for Car Drivers Tell Me questions for Car Drivers Now You're on the Road Motorcycle Learners Your road to a full Motorcycle licence Getting Started Before you go out on the road Compulsory Basic Training The Theory Test Applying for the theory test Sitting the Theory Test Sitting the Hazard Perception Section of the Theory Test Training for your practical motorcycle test Applying for the Practical Motorcycle Test The Day of the Motorcycle Test FAQs FAQS for Learner Car Drivers FAQs for Learner Motorcyclists Hazard Perception Forms and Downloads Information Licences INF28 - Driving a Minibus INF29 - Minimum Test Vehicles INF30 - Requirements for Towing Trailers in Great Britian INF32 - Wheelclamping and removal of vehicles without tax INF34 - Exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty for Historic Vehicles INF38 - Driving in Great Britain (GB) as a visitor or a new resident Licences from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man INF46 - Registration Numbers and You INF55 - SORN Statutory Off Road Notification - A guide for motor traders INF94 - Customer service guide for drivers with Medical Conditions INF95 - A general guide to Driving Licences

Driving in Great Britain (GB) as a visitor or a new resident

This leaflet explains the current rules affecting people with non-GB driving licences who visit or come to live in Great Britain. All drivers must meet the minimum age requirements for driving in Great Britain. Generally, you must be:

17 to drive a car or a motorcycle;
18 to drive a medium-sized vehicle (for example, a vehicle between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer up to 750kg); and
21 to drive a large lorry and/or bus.

The booklet ‘Information on driving licences’ (INS57P), gives more information about minimum ages.

The information in this booklet applies to both ‘ordinary’ and ‘vocational’ licences.

Ordinary licences

An ordinary licence is one which entitles you to drive cars, motorcycles, and small vehicles (those weighing up to 3500kg and having no more than eight passenger seats).

Vocational licences

A vocational licence is one that entitles you to drive minibuses, buses and medium-size large vehicles weighing over 3500kg and able to tow a trailer over 750kg.

These licences can be ‘provisional’ or ‘full’. A provisional licence shows vehicles which you can drive only as a learner. A full licence shows which vehicles you have passed a driving test for.