How do I Apply for a New Licence?

Q.

I've been living in the UK for 6 months now (I'm Dutch) and I've just lost my driver's licence. What do I do to get a new one? Where would I go and what documents do I need? I've already applied for a document from the Netherlands which proves that I'm entitled to have a drivers licence.

A.

Once you have lived in the UK for a certain length of time, you can no longer carry on using your foreign driving licence, and must apply for a UK driving licence instead.

The Rules on Using Foreign Driving Licences in the UK

You can use a foreign driving licence for up to twelve months after you have arrived in the UK. Once you have lived in the UK for twelve months, you need to swap your foreign driving licence for a UK driving licence. As you have lost your driving licence, you can do this before your foreign driving licence actually expires.

Applying For a UK Driving Licence

To apply for a provisional UK driving licence, you need to get a D1 application from the DVLA, which is available from Post Office branches and through the DVLA. The DVLA D100 booklet (which you can get from Post Office branches) offers more information on exchanging a foreign driving licence for a UK driving licence.

Along with the Provisional Driving Licence application form, you also need to send documentation that confirms your identity (this should be the original document(s) as photocopies are not accepted), a passport sized photograph of yourself, and a cheque for the £50 fee. This should be sent to the DVLA in Swansea, or alternatively, you can apply online on the Directgov website. If you have a UK digital passport, you can fill in the 9-digit passport number on the online or paper application form without having to actually send your passport to the DVLA.

Other accepted forms of documentation include a valid passport, an EC/EEA identity card (excluding those issued in Sweden), UK naturalisation certificates, birth certificates and adoption certificates (both of which must be accompanied by another form of identification such as a National Insurance card, P45, P60, payslip or marriage certificate).

You may be asked to take a theory test and practical test (which you must pass) before being granted a provisional driving licence, especially if the tests that you took to get your foreign driving licence were particularly different to those needed to get a UK driving licence. This should be done within twelve months of applying for a provisional driving licence to avoid having to use L plates. Once you have a provisional driving licence, you can get your Theory Test straight away, and you must then pass the Practical Driving Test within two years of passing the theory test (after two years has elapsed you have to retake the theory test if you have not yet taken and passed the practical driving test).