tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post5170312490082783658..comments2024-01-05T06:16:49.932+00:00Comments on Expat Mum: British Driving Licence MattersExpat mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-72066354943186502452014-02-11T16:34:33.368+00:002014-02-11T16:34:33.368+00:00@Andrew - I haven't heard of this but I must s...@Andrew - I haven't heard of this but I must say, I haven't done any more research since I wrote this. I would recommend you e-mail the DVLA like I did. They are very responsive and then you can be sure you get the correct answer.<br />Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-67996345791848851862014-02-10T15:53:21.735+00:002014-02-10T15:53:21.735+00:00A question with a slightly different twist...... ...A question with a slightly different twist...... I live in the USA but still have my UK license. Rather than rent I have always borrowed my father's car when visiting UK and he has had me added to his insurance no problem. However, this year the insurance companies (he has tried several)say that my UK license is invalid because I am not a UK resident and they refuse to add me as an additional driver. Apparently some new law took effect in 2013. Does anyone know anything about this? it is crazy to have to rent a car when there are two cars sitting in the driveway that I can use.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458444595886091755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-39674147094174186992013-08-15T09:40:18.744+01:002013-08-15T09:40:18.744+01:00If you are legal or permanent resident and country...If you are legal or permanent resident and country does not issue the <a href="http://www.intdriverlicense.com" rel="nofollow">international driving license</a> you should be aware of the following: Consumers cannot legally drive in most countries without obtaining a temporary or permanent driver's license from the country in which he or she plans to drive; and Our unofficial international translation of driver's license does not confer any driving privileges on consumers whose home countries do not issue International Driving Permits.Nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11951769661864366383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-1200338124572224242012-12-29T00:59:31.194+00:002012-12-29T00:59:31.194+00:00Just catching up here. Thanks everyone for the add...Just catching up here. Thanks everyone for the additional info. I think the best thing with problems and vagueness is to contact the DVLA direct via e-mail. In my experience, they were very helpful. <br />One thing about putting your license under someone else's address - mine is under my mother's and when the car rental guy looked me up, I wasn't even in the system. That could have been because I've been out of the country so long though.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-55777762772276798532012-07-08T08:19:19.993+01:002012-07-08T08:19:19.993+01:00I've lived in the US since 2003 and have my gr...I've lived in the US since 2003 and have my green UK licence. I exchanged it for a photocard without any problems online - just gave my parent's UK address, NI # and passport number and it was sent to them in 2 weeks. Doesn't appear to be that much of a hassle. They grabbed the photo from my UK passport.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-3592291067418302752012-04-05T13:28:50.806+01:002012-04-05T13:28:50.806+01:00Hi I live in the Middle East.
I have my old green...Hi I live in the Middle East.<br /><br />I have my old green licence and did have the pink photo Id card.<br /><br />The photo id now needs to be changed but DVLC will not give me a new one because I am no longer a resident in the UK.<br /><br />The country I live in will not except my UK licence because the photo is out of date.<br /><br />Nor will America and lots of other countries. <br /><br />Now this bit is really weir, you can legally drive in britain on your old green licence, but because you have no valid photo Id (as a driving licence) you could be fined £1,000 id stopped. <br /><br />Nor will you be able to rent a car.<br /><br />So effectively my UK green licence is no good anymore.<br /><br />I got all this information after a <br /> call with DVLA.<br /><br />They suggest the only way forward is to get a driving licence from the country you reside in and it will be valid for a 12 month stay in the UK.<br /><br />Madness.<br />NigelNigel's worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17397129137644735285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-10459712803905662142012-03-20T10:12:30.383+00:002012-03-20T10:12:30.383+00:00Great advice above guys but I have a different pro...Great advice above guys but I have a different problem.<br /><br />I have an old pink UK paper license which I obtained at the age of 17.<br /><br />Now I am the grand old age of 40, the thing is falling apart at the seams as am I so need a replacement.<br /><br />I am a resident in Dubai and have tried without success to obtain a replacement. Just brick walls encountered so far.<br /><br />Any ideas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-24475665543137690522011-08-03T07:48:20.767+01:002011-08-03T07:48:20.767+01:00Good post! Thanks Have been able to help some of o...Good post! Thanks Have been able to help some of our expats with their questions on this. <br />Common problem I always see is British license being used more than 6 months in a EU country. Expats should really check the laws of the country because in Spain it has to be exchanged after 6 months and in the Netherlands it doesn't. Could get really confusing if you travel around!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-9401587274276157402011-08-02T20:31:57.538+01:002011-08-02T20:31:57.538+01:00WM - you might want to check that again. The DVLA ...WM - you might want to check that again. The DVLA web site shows a picture of the new plastic licenses and says that they all have expiry dates (not the 70 year old one, which is basically when your entitlement to drive ends). The picture shows that one of the very small numbers on the front, next to the photo, is the date at which you should get the photo renewed. Apparently many people have been driving with invalid licences because of this misunderstanding.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-60368629246808907842011-08-02T19:58:07.934+01:002011-08-02T19:58:07.934+01:00I have the new plastic one with a picture, but the...I have the new plastic one with a picture, but the expiry date is when I'm 70 so I don't have to renew it until then regardless of the picture. Perhaps the 10 year expiry is a new thing they've done on new plastic licences since I got mine. Still confusing!Working Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16243697047355131343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-23041767496818750162011-08-01T23:52:31.122+01:002011-08-01T23:52:31.122+01:00LOL Max. I have tried to present the facts as stat...LOL Max. I have tried to present the facts as stated on the DVLA or in their e-mails, and nothing but the facts. I must admit, I feel like contacting the car rental guy and putting him right but I don't think many long-term US residents with an old pink paper licence rent cars at Newcastle airport somehow!Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-7386436607369918922011-08-01T23:49:56.754+01:002011-08-01T23:49:56.754+01:00From all I know about the subject of pink paper li...From all I know about the subject of pink paper licenses, I can honestly say I find no fault in what you've presented here. :)Relax Maxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051381168322495999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-32228113641129843332011-08-01T22:57:09.938+01:002011-08-01T22:57:09.938+01:00You certainly made me wonder where my UK licence i...You certainly made me wonder where my UK licence is (and when it expires) ;-)<br /><br />In New York, you are only allowed to drive for 3 months on a British licence. Then you have to take the test (which annoyingly involves sitting through a very tedious 5 hour educational course as well as the driving part, which is easy).nappy valley girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-28199883047859446142011-08-01T22:05:52.225+01:002011-08-01T22:05:52.225+01:00Glad you are on the right side of the law!
I have...Glad you are on the right side of the law!<br /><br />I have an old, pink paper licence that will be in need of updating to the photo kind next year. However, I don't think I am going to bother as I haven't driven for some years!<br />Maggie X<br /><br /><a href="http://granniemay.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Nuts in May</a>Maggie Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183886005936250976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-58051783360456428862011-08-01T20:20:26.483+01:002011-08-01T20:20:26.483+01:00Emma - really, don't worry. The written part i...Emma - really, don't worry. The written part is usually a multiple choice thing and you're allowed to get several wrong. When I did it in Chicago it was on a computer thing - so no one quizzing you. The driving part is shockingly minimal too. <br />ALW - the thing that's ambiguous is what happens if you live abroad and your license expires? The DVLA web site says you have to be resident to get or renew a license so you might have to wait until you live in the UK again. They replied to my e-mail in less than one business day however, so you can always e-mail them.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-27653894369851967642011-08-01T20:16:41.208+01:002011-08-01T20:16:41.208+01:00Thanks for this, I think my Uk one has expired and...Thanks for this, I think my Uk one has expired and wondered whether it was worthwhile to renew but sounds like a should...About Last Weekendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04716571630418078937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-43275008886929780752011-08-01T18:45:18.549+01:002011-08-01T18:45:18.549+01:00Thanks for this, some really useful info there! I...Thanks for this, some really useful info there! I am going to have to do a test in the US at some point when we move, and I know you said it's easier, but the thought of doing any kind of driving test again is filling me with dread! :( Emma :)Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06337410829335466284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-1967132678356713972011-08-01T17:02:37.133+01:002011-08-01T17:02:37.133+01:00Glad to be of service folks!
Paul - the laws diffe...Glad to be of service folks!<br />Paul - the laws differ from state to state regarding licenses. Here's a link which will explain the basics then will give you a link to your state. You have to be a resident in a specific state to take a test, (and usually you need a Social Security number) but the license will allow you to drive in every other state.<br />The test itself isn't as difficult as the British one, and if you've been driving for a while, you should be able to pass it having just read the "Highway Code" equivalent.<br />http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visitors_Driving.shtmlExpat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-60602553809689286342011-08-01T16:56:32.640+01:002011-08-01T16:56:32.640+01:00Thanks Toni, very helpful!Thanks Toni, very helpful!Almost Americanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17865905831387595915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-22361937945320406042011-08-01T16:49:48.659+01:002011-08-01T16:49:48.659+01:00When I first moved to the States 16 years ago, I w...When I first moved to the States 16 years ago, I was told that I could drive for 6 months using my UK licence and that 6 months would restart every time I re-entered the States. Not sure if that rule still exists or not.<br />After reading your last post about this, I decided that I had better get a new plastic licence. So I've accidentally 'lost' my paper one as I'd like to keep it for it's historical value. Your info has been really helpful. Thank you. xlulu's missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137536605784710186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-20643477359486285702011-08-01T16:22:07.368+01:002011-08-01T16:22:07.368+01:00Great info! I have been using the old UK paper li...Great info! I have been using the old UK paper licence to rent cars in the UK up until recently without any bother. But I got a new card licence for when I came to the USA, as I thought it wise to update it, and can also use it for ID. <br /><br />Out of interest, can I drive in the USA for 12 months on my British licence? My wife has been doing all the driving but at some point, I will have to get driving again?Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04125096218951977368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-50351790836764374312011-08-01T16:16:08.112+01:002011-08-01T16:16:08.112+01:00Really useful info! I never realised the photo exp...Really useful info! I never realised the photo expired in 10years<br />ThanksPiPhttp://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com