Key takeaways
- New residents of Great Britain can usually drive on a valid non-GB licence for 12 months; EU licence holders can usually drive until age 70.
- Licences from designated countries can be exchanged with form D1 and a £43 fee, and the new licence usually arrives within 3 weeks.
- GOV.UK says Japanese and Republic of Korea licence holders need an official translation from their embassy, and Taiwanese holders need one from a Taipei Representative Office.
- Licences from countries that are not designated cannot be exchanged; holders must pass the theory and practical tests after 12 months.
- The GOV.UK tools cover Great Britain, which GOV.UK defines as England, Wales and Scotland, so check separately for Northern Ireland.
People moving to Great Britain often ask whether their foreign driving licence needs a certified translation. The answer depends on where the licence was issued and whether you plan to exchange it for a British licence or simply drive on it for a while.
This article explains the DVLA rules, the countries for which GOV.UK specifies an official translation, and why a standard certified translation is not always the right document. For other official translations, see our guide to certified translation in the UK.
Can you drive in Great Britain on a foreign licence without a translation?
Usually yes, for a limited time. GOV.UK’s non-GB licence checker says that visitors with a licence from outside the EU can drive small vehicles listed on a full, valid licence “for 12 months from when you last entered Great Britain”.
New residents with a licence from a designated country can also drive for 12 months after becoming resident before they must exchange it. EU and EEA licence holders can drive in Great Britain until they are 70, according to GOV.UK’s EU licence guidance. The checker does not mention a translation for simply driving, but insurers or hire companies may set their own document rules, so ask them directly.
Do you need a translation to exchange a foreign licence with DVLA?
For most designated countries, no translation appears in GOV.UK’s exchange instructions. For a few countries, GOV.UK specifies an official translation from a named source rather than a general certified translation.
For a Japanese licence, the GOV.UK exchange guidance states:
“You need to provide an official translation of your licence - contact your embassy.”
The same instruction appears for Republic of Korea licences. For Taiwan, the GOV.UK guidance says to “get an official translation of your licence from a Taipei Representative Office in the UK”, with offices in London and Edinburgh. A translation agency’s certified translation is not what these instructions ask for.
Which licences need what? A country comparison
The table summarises what GOV.UK’s exchange a non-GB driving licence tool shows for different licence origins.
| Where the licence was issued | Can it be exchanged? | Translation or extra document named by GOV.UK |
|---|---|---|
| EU or EEA country | Yes, no test needed | None mentioned |
| Japan | Yes (designated country) | Official translation via your embassy |
| Republic of Korea | Yes (designated country) | Official translation via your embassy |
| Taiwan | Yes (designated country) | Official translation from a Taipei Representative Office |
| Republic of Moldova | Yes, car entitlement only | Letter of Entitlement from the Moldovan Public Services Agency |
| Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland and other designated countries | Yes | None mentioned; some need proof of a manual test |
| Any other country | No; theory and practical tests needed after 12 months | Not applicable |
The full list of designated countries and territories is in the GOV.UK tool, and the Moldova guidance describes the Letter of Entitlement.
How do you exchange a foreign driving licence: step by step
The exchange process is the same for all eligible licences, with a translation step only where GOV.UK names one.
- Use the GOV.UK exchange tool to confirm that your licence can be exchanged and what extra documents apply.
- If your country needs an official translation, request it from the embassy or representative office named by GOV.UK.
- Get a D1 application form from a Post Office that offers DVLA services.
- Send the form, the £43 fee, your licence and any required documents to the address on the form.
- Wait for your new licence; GOV.UK says it will usually arrive within 3 weeks, or longer if medical details need checking.
Licences from designated countries can be exchanged up to 5 years after you become resident, if they have not expired.
When might you still need a certified translation of a driving licence?
A certified translation is useful when the licence serves as evidence for another authority. Examples include a foreign licence used as proof of identity or address in a visa application, or a licence record needed for an insurance claim.
In those cases, the receiving organisation’s rules apply. For the Home Office, that means the format set out in Home Office translation requirements. Licences used abroad may instead need notarisation; see certified vs notarised vs sworn translation.
Common mistakes with driving licence translations
Most mistakes come from ordering a translation the DVLA did not ask for, or missing one it did.
- Buying a private certified translation for a Japanese, Korean or Taiwanese licence. GOV.UK names the embassy or representative office as the source.
- Waiting beyond 12 months. After that point, holders of designated-country licences must exchange to keep driving.
- Assuming every licence can be exchanged. Licences from non-designated countries require British tests.
- Assuming the tool covers Northern Ireland. GOV.UK defines Great Britain as England, Wales and Scotland.
- Sending a damaged or expired licence. Exchange is possible only while the licence is valid.
How TranslationWorks can help with driving licence translations
TranslationWorks is a UK-based translation agency that provides professional human translation of identity and licensing documents through native-speaking linguists in more than 150 languages. Where DVLA names an embassy translation, use that source; where another organisation, such as an insurer or the Home Office, needs your licence translated, tell us where the translation will be submitted and what format the authority requires, and we will confirm what we can provide in your free quote. Learn more about our translation services or get a free quote.
