Driving

Last modified: 25 February 2016

Before driving any vehicle (car, motorbike, van etc) in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), you should check that you meet all of the legal requirements which apply (a) to the driver and (b) to the vehicle; and that you are aware of the correct procedures, which may be very different from your home country.

It is a criminal offence to drive using a licence that is not valid in the UK. In addition, if you do so, your car insurance will be invalidated and you will be committing a further criminal offence of 'driving without motor insurance'.

If you hold a driving licence issued outside of Great Britain (that is England, Scotland and Wales) then you can use the tool on the Government website to check whether you can use it to drive in the UK.  You may be allowed to do so for a limited period of time only.

Mopeds and Motorcycles

Last modified: 03 September 2015

Even if you have a licence for driving a car, you might still need to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before riding a moped or a motorcycle in the UK. On successful completion of the course you will get a training certificate (DL196) which is valid for two years. You will need to show your certificate to the examiner when you take your practical test. If you have any queries about CBT phone the Driving Standards Agency on 0300 200 1122 and ask for the CBT Section or see 'Riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle'.

Learning to drive

Last modified: 05 November 2015

If you wish to drive a car in the UK but do not currently hold a valid licence to do so, you will need to apply for a provisional licence and then take a theory test and a practical driving test in order to obtain a full licence. 

Driving licences are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in England, Scotland and Wales and in Northern Ireland by the Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland. (In Northern Ireland, those who do not hold a licence must have been studying there for at least 6 months prior to taking a driving test or applying for a full licence.)

In the rest of the UK (that is, England, Scotland and Wales), if you want to take a GB driving test, please see the gov.uk website for more information about learning to drive.

A provisional licence requires you to display red and white 'L'-plates (‘D’ plates in Wales) at the front and back of the vehicle and to be accompanied by another person in the passenger seat when you drive who (a) is over 21 years old, and (b) has passed their driving test and held a valid licence for at least 3 years.  You are not allowed to drive on a motorway if you hold a provisional licence.

There are many driving-schools in the UK where you can pay for lessons with a qualified instructor. Details of instructors in your local area can be found in the Yellow Pages directory or the BT telephone directory.

Immigration issues

Last modified: 24 May 2016

Since 14 July 2014 applicants for a UK driving licence are required to show that they have immigration permission to be in the UK for at least six months, unless they have a driving licence from an EEA or other designated country.  The designated countries are as follows:

For driving in England, Scotland and Wales: 
Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada*, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands*, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea*, Singapore, South Africa**, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

For driving in Northern Ireland:
Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Provinces & Territories of Canada*, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands*, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea*, Singapore, South Africa**, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

*Some restrictions on what you can drive apply

**Format of licence is relevant

If you cease to be lawfully resident in the UK, for example if you become an overstayer, the DVLA can revoke your driving licence.

If you are making an immigration application for permission to come to or remain in the UK, you are required to declare criminal convictions. Please note that road traffic offences must be declared and can be treated very seriously. If you have been disqualified from driving then you will need to declare this.

Although you are not required to declare any fixed penalty notices (which were not issued by a court), be aware that if you fail to pay, this could result in a more serious punishment, which may have to be declared. If you have received multiple fixed penalty notices then this could also be treated seriously by the Home Office when considering your immigration application. You are advised to seek legal advice from an immigration specialist if you think any of these matters may affect you.

Insurance

Last modified: 03 September 2015

UK law requires all motorists to have valid insurance that provides them, or anyone they permit to use the vehicle, with insurance cover for the vehicle that they are driving. It is an offence to drive a vehicle on the road or in a public place without insurance, and penalties can be severe if you do not have insurance. There are three different types of insurance policies:

  • Comprehensive (the fullest cover);
  • Third Party, Fire and Theft; or
  • Third Party only (the minimum cover).

If borrowing a friend’s car or other vehicle, always check that they have insurance which allows you to drive it. If the car you are going to drive does not belong to you, then even if there is an insurance policy in force, it may not cover you to drive unless you are a named driver or it is an 'any driver' policy. However, even 'any driver' policies may not cover learner drivers, or people driving on foreign licences. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure that she or he is insured to drive. It is no defence (in law) to say that you believed (wrongly) that you were insured. Always check before driving.

For more information on arranging insurance for your vehicle, see the section below on ‘Buying a car in the UK.’

If hiring/renting a car, you will need to show a valid current driving licence. Insurance and road tax are normally provided by the rental company and included in the hire charge.

It is illegal to drive without valid insurance, road tax or a valid driving licence. The penalty for doing this may be a fine, a ban or imprisonment.

On the road

Last modified: 02 June 2016

In addition to having current valid road tax, insurance and a driving licence, you must:

  • drive on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right-hand side;
  • wear a crash-helmet if you are riding a motor cycle or a moped;
  • wear a seat belt if you are the driver or front seat passengers; rear seat passengers must wear seat belts where they are fitted;
  • not drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
  • observe speed limits: 30 or 40 mph (miles per hour) in built-up areas but some zones in towns and cities have lower limits, 70 mph on motorways and 60 mph on all other roads unless a different limit is displayed (e.g. 50);
  • observe the minimum age requirements. Generally, these are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles.

Further information about what you can drive and your legal obligations as a driver can be found on the DVLA and DVANI websites.

Essential reading for anyone planning to drive in the UK is The Highway Code, both in terms of road safety and because many of its rules are in fact legal requirements. The Highway Code costs around £2.50 from most bookshops.  The Know your traffic signs guide is also essential reading if you are not familiar with the meaning of UK road signs.

Buying a vehicle

Last modified: 05 November 2015

Road tax

Last modified: 03 September 2015

You must ensure that road tax for your car is paid before you drive it. You can obtain a tax disc by applying online or collecting an application form from any Post Office.

You will need your V5C registration certificate (logbook), certificate of insurance and a current test certificate of roadworthiness (MoT), if the vehicle is over three years old. The MoT test is available at most garages, but make sure that the garage is an approved MoT centre (it will display a sign which says this).

Insurance cover

Last modified: 03 September 2015

The cost of motor insurance cover will vary according to a number of factors such as your age, how long you have been driving, where you are living, the age and value of your car and the type of car you have. Costs may vary widely between insurance companies for the same cover, so you may want to shop around.

Endsleigh Insurance specialises in motor insurance for students (see address list). You will also find a wide range of insurance companies listed in your local telephone directory, or your bank or building society may have a close link to one.

If you intend to use your vehicle in Northern Ireland you must ensure that the insurance policy covers you for this in this area for the UK.

Motoring organisations

Last modified: 19 November 2015

There are a number of motoring organisations in the UK that offer a range of services to the motorist, including breakdown assistance and recovery, insurance and route planning. They tend to charge a membership fee and make additional charges for the particular services you may wish to buy. You may find that NUS (National Union of Students) members get special rates from some motoring organisations. Examples of motoring organisations:


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