AA Zone
Getting my License
Original Post
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Posted At 25/02/2009 Littlechewbaca  |
I am about to move to the UK, I am Australian and have a valid full australian license. I have a complex question if you can bear with me..
I have been researching how I go about getting my uk license of if I need to get one at all! This is what the website www.direct.gov.uk came up with ..... Can you drive in Great Britain (GB) if your driving licence was issued in another country? Conclusion * you can drive in Great Britain (GB) on your full, valid driving licence for up to 12 months from the time you first became resident * you will need to stop driving once the 12 months are over * you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence * if you wish to continue driving in GB you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test OK... thats all well and good but I still am unsure where I stand! See this is my situation: I have been in the UK since june 2008 and am only now wanting to drive. So does that mean I have 3 or 4 months till i have to swap my australian drivers license to a uk one? In the mean time do I just use my Australian drivers license? I dont need anything else? I heard I might have to get an interntaional drivers license to go with my australian drivers license as well???? Confused! If anyone can let me know exactly what i should be doing please help. All the best, Lilchewbaca |
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Littlechewbaca
Posts: 1
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Subject: Getting my License
Posted At: 25/02/2009 13:32:10
I am about to move to the UK, I am Australian and have a valid full australian license. I have a complex question if you can bear with me..
I have been researching how I go about getting my uk license of if I need to get one at all! This is what the website www.direct.gov.uk came up with ..... Can you drive in Great Britain (GB) if your driving licence was issued in another country? Conclusion * you can drive in Great Britain (GB) on your full, valid driving licence for up to 12 months from the time you first became resident * you will need to stop driving once the 12 months are over * you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence * if you wish to continue driving in GB you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test OK... thats all well and good but I still am unsure where I stand! See this is my situation: I have been in the UK since june 2008 and am only now wanting to drive. So does that mean I have 3 or 4 months till i have to swap my australian drivers license to a uk one? In the mean time do I just use my Australian drivers license? I dont need anything else? I heard I might have to get an interntaional drivers license to go with my australian drivers license as well???? Confused! If anyone can let me know exactly what i should be doing please help. All the best, Lilchewbaca |
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AAChris
Posts: 41
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Subject: Re: Getting my License
Posted At: 02/03/2009 10:37:06
As a holder of a driving licence issued in Australia you are legally permitted to drive in the UK for a maximum period of 12 months, this is with or without an International Driving Permit (IDP’s).
Driving beyond this period would result in you driving illegally and invalidating any insurance you may have. Generally it’s car hire / insurance companies that may require your Australian Driving Licence to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. The International Driving Permit is a document to be used in conjunction with your national Australian driving licence and not in place of it. You would need to obtain the IDP from the authorities in Australia. The 12 month period runs from the date of arrival in the UK rather from the date you choose to start driving so you will have to obtain a UK licence before June if you intend driving in the UK beyond June. As a holder of an Australian Driving licence you may exchange your national driving licence for a UK driving licence. For further information on how to exchange your Australian driving licence for a UK licence call the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) directly on 0870 240 0009, or visit the direct government website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm |
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crystal
Posts: 1
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Subject: Re: Getting my License
Posted At: 15/04/2009 16:31:50
Hi,
I'm in a similar situation in that I have an Australian Driving Licence and want to continue driving. The term "resident" is throwing me abit as I am not considered a permanent resident of the UK ie I don't have an Indefinite Leave to Remain. Does that mean i can't swap my licence? Thanks |
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jimlad
Posts: 1
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Subject: Re: Getting my License
Posted At: 05/05/2009 07:33:48
I'm kind of in a same but different predicament. I have dual nationality, having been born in the UK and now resident in Australia. I passed my driving test in the UK in the 70s, emigrated to Oz, exchanged my UK licence (as required by Australian driving legslation). I am now back in the UK for 6 months and am having trouble getting insurance at any kind of realistic price, since I'm not classified as holding a valid UK licence. Is there any way I can get a UK licence while resident in the UK, as the DVLA must still have some record of me passing my driving test in the UK?
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