Foreign driving licence on British roads.

[pugilist]

A guy from abroad, from Russia, has been staying in England for several years.

Lately he decided to buy a car. He's got only Russian driving licence.

 

So the question is as follows:

Can he buy a car and drive without a British driving licence?

[crem]

He can only use foreign licence for one year before having to take a UK test. Residents from EU countries can surrender their own country's licence for a UK licence without having to take the UK test but this won't apply for a Russian licence.

[ClampingKing]

One year from original entry to the Uk, not from when he buys a car.

[pugilist]

So, as far as I understand , his Russian licence is not valid for driving here.

I knew it, I just wanted you to confirm it.

Actually that was what I told him, but he says that he is not going to take a driving test here while his Russian licence is not expired. He said that even if caught by police he is sure that they can't do him anything serious.

 

So, the question then is: what the police can do if they catch him driving?

[crem]

One year from original entry to the Uk, not from when he buys a car.

 

Agreed CK. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply he had one year from when he started using his car licence, but from his entry to UK.

[ClampingKing]

So, as far as I understand , his Russian licence is not valid for driving here.

I knew it, I just wanted you to confirm it.

Actually that was what I told him, but he says that he is not going to take a driving test here while his Russian licence is not expired. He said that even if caught by police he is sure that they can't do him anything serious.

 

So, the question then is: what the police can do if they catch him driving?

 

Oh, let's see. Driving without a licence. Driving without insurance plus whatever offence he is caught for in the first place. And, before he says he IS insured, the insurers will have asked him if he has a valid licence. He doesn't so he lied, thus invalidating his insurance.

 

If stopped, they WILL take his car.

 

I really hope he gets caught very soon. I do not want him on my road damaging or injuring anyone or anything.

[borisbeaver]

If he gets caught driving without full uk driving licence, it will automatically invalidate any insurance he may have. The police will throw the book at him and the car will be seized and he will be given a hefty fine.

 

Anyone that shows this sort of attitude should expect to be caught and taken of the road.

[pugilist]

Yes, that exactly what I expected. Thank you guys. I passed your words to him. He seems to hesitate now.

By the way, what do you mean "seized"? Taken from him forever?

How hefty do you think the fine could be?

[borisbeaver]

Yep taken away and crushed and turned into baked bean cans....

[pugilist]

Yep taken away and crushed and turned into baked bean cans....

Ok ok. So, what do you think about the amount of the fine ?

[borisbeaver]

Fixed Penalty is a £200 fine and 6 points. If it goes to court then it could be £5000 with 8 points on your licence - friends licence - if he applies for a uk one With a discretionary ban.

 

Also minimum of £1000 with 3-6 points for driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

 

Driving Offences | Maximum Penalties, Fines, Penalty Points, Length of Driving Ban

[pugilist]

Fixed Penalty is a £200 fine and 6 points. If it goes to court then it could be £5000 with 8 points on your licence - friends licence - if he applies for a uk one With a discretionary ban.

 

Also minimum of £1000 with 3-6 points for driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

 

Driving Offences | Maximum Penalties, Fines, Penalty Points, Length of Driving Ban

 

Thank you very much. I've already passed him these words. Later I'll have a look what is on that link you gave me.

[pompeyfaith]

Just tell him to take a test, after all it cant be that hard as he is a driver already plus its a lot cheaper than a hefty fine and points added

[JimmySpangle]

Have you seen how they drive in Russia????????

 

The test will be VERY hard compared to what he is used to. You cannot bribe a DSA examiner with a bottle of vodka, nor can you take the test drunk either. They WILL require him to drive reasonably and follow some simple instructions.

 

Back to the drawing board then.

[taxes]

Hi,

 

None of the posts give the whole answer.

 

A person holding a Russian driving licence can drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (special rules apply to larger vehicles) in the UK for the twelve calendar months following:

 

1. In the case of a Resident: the date of becoming a resident of the UK (assuming that he/she was already present in the UK at the date of becoming a Resident.)

 

2. In the case of a Visitor: the date of the LAST entry into the UK. ( So, if you return to Russia every month and stay stay a month (taking an extreme example) you would never need a UK licence - in fact you would be unable to obtain one!)

 

The rules on Residency are not entirely unambiguous, but presence in the UK for 185 days in any one period of 12 months would normally render you a Resident. In fact, one rule states you CANNOT apply for a UK licence (provisional which is a pre-requisite for a full licence but does not carry all the usual Provisional restrictions) unless you ARE living in the UK for at least 185 days in the previous 12 months. If no UK passport is held: property is owned in Russia but only rented in the UK: most family ties are in Russia: whether or not you have a job in the UK: would all be taken into account.

[Tony P]

Look at what the British Government says on the matter-

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022561

 

"Provided a full licence or international driving permit remains valid, a foreigner may drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to eight passenger seats. They will be able to drive for up to 12 months from the date of coming to GB."

 

It could be read that the 12 months restarts every time they re-enter UK. So, as long as they have a foreign holiday or business trip, each year and set a new "date of coming to GB", they could continue indefinitly driving on the foreign Licence.

 

My Partner is a Russian citizen and regularly returned home while we lived in UK.

At the time of adding my Partner to my insurance I explained all this and sent a photocopy of that Webpage, highlighting the above section, to the Insurance Brokers with the Proposal Form and a photocopy of her actual Russian Licence.

 

Some four years after being added to my policy, still with her RUS Licence declared at each renewal, they even settled a Third Party Claim following an accident she had driving my car!

 

Residency is, as taxes says, ambiguous. His talk of 185 days sounds like he is thinking about Residency for UK Income Tax purposes (actually 183 days). This definition is not universal across all purposes - including Driving Licences.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Tony P

[afcwben]

do these rules apply to drivers from countries who drive on the same side of the road as us such as New Zealanders?

[Tony P]

do these rules apply to drivers from countries who drive on the same side of the road as us such as New Zealanders?

 

Have you ever driven outside the UK in Europe or USA for example?

If so you will have found out that the concept of LHD or RHD Licences doers not exist - YET !!

Just as much as using 'other handed' cars in opposite handed countries.

 

No doubt the unelected, unaccountable rulers of the UK are looking into this - all in the cause of harmonisation.

[afcwben]

Have you ever driven outside the UK in Europe or USA for example?

If so you will have found out that the concept of LHD or RHD Licences doers not exist - YET !!

Just as much as using 'other handed' cars in opposite handed countries.

 

No doubt the unelected, unaccountable rulers of the UK are looking into this - all in the cause of harmonisation.

 

I have driven in the USA and lived in California for 8 years, I took the driving test as I was only allowed a certain time to use me UK licence. My question was, can overseas holders of driving licences need to take a test or do they get one if they hold a full licence from another country. I have a friend who is a New Zealander who is adamant that all he has to do is produce his licence and he will get a full UK one in return.

[Tony P]

I have driven in the USA and lived in California for 8 years, I took the driving test as I was only allowed a certain time to use me UK licence. My question was, can overseas holders of driving licences need to take a test or do they get one if they hold a full licence from another country. I have a friend who is a New Zealander who is adamant that all he has to do is produce his licence and he will get a full UK one in return.

 

Ah.

I was responding to using a foreign licence in UK as the thread suggests.

 

You are asking about exchanging a foreign licence for a UK one.

A different matter, which I have not looked into.

[afcwben]

Ah.

I was responding to using a foreign licence in UK as the thread suggests.

 

You are asking about exchanging a foreign licence for a UK one.

A different matter, which I have not looked into.

 

Exactly

 

My question was, can overseas holders of driving licences need to take a test or do they get one if they hold a full licence from another country. I have a friend who is a New Zealander who is adamant that all he has to do is produce his licence and he will get a full UK one in return.

[afcwben]

I have answred my own question, apparently you can http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/travel/driving_licences.htm see section entitled

Licences issued outside the EEA

[Tony P]

Looking at your link and mine, I see the position to be -

 

Any Licence can be used to drive in UK for up to a full year of entering, without any formality.

 

For Countries on the list (e.g.NZ), during or at the end of this time the Licence can be 'straight' exchanged for an equivalent full UK Licence - no test.

It can be exchanged in up to a further 4 years but cannot be used to drive after that full year.

 

For Licences issued by Countries not on the list a test must be taken during or at the end of a full year of entering. A UK provisional is required when taking the test - although you can still drive without "L" plates or accompanied qualified driver, under the foreign licence if still within that full year.

[crem]

New Zealand is a "designated country" from which you can exchange your NZ licence for a UK one without taking a test here.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022559

 

Gibraltar and Designated Countries

 

GB has reciprocal exchange agreements with Gibraltar and 15 designated countries.

The designated countries are:

Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands*, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea*, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

If you are a visitor in GB, and hold full ordinary entitlement, you can drive any category of vehicle, up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to eight passenger seats, shown on your licence for up to 12 months from the date you last entered GB, whether or not you brought the vehicle into GB. If you also hold full entitlement to drive large lorries or buses you are only allowed to drive large vehicles registered outside the GB that you have driven into the country.

If you are a resident in GB and provided your full licence remains valid, you can drive small vehicles for 12 months from the time you became resident. To ensure continuous driving entitlement, you must exchange your licence for a GB one before the 12 months end.

If you do not do this you must stop driving although you may apply to exchange your licence at any time within five years of becoming resident.