Asked by: Luke Murphy (Labour - Basingstoke)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the 12-month period during which holders of non-designated foreign driving licences are permitted to drive in the UK.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This department reviews GB driver licensing arrangements from time to time. Any changes to the current 12-month period during which the holders of non-UK driving licences are permitted to drive in the UK would be subject to appropriate consultation and revised legislative provisions.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on road safety in the UK of her Department’s policy allowing people who obtained their driving license abroad to drive in the UK for 12 months without obtaining a UK driving license from the DVLA.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Foreign visitors to the UK are permitted to drive cars and motorcycles for up to 12 months without needing to exchange their licences or take a test. This system was established in 1909 and has remained in place under all recent governments, including the 2010-2015 coalition. After 12 months, people with licences from designated countries must exchange their licence for a UK equivalent whilst other licence holders must pass a UK test. Information about driving safely in the UK, notably driving on the left, is given to foreign drivers at ports.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the consultation outcome entitled Exchange of car driving licences issued in Moldova, published on 9 July 2025, whether her Department plans to review the 12-month period during which drivers from (a) non-EU and (b) non-EEA countries may drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My department does not currently have any plans to review the 12-month exchange period during which drivers from non-EU, or non-EEA countries may drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of foreign drivers holding licences from countries with lower testing standards than the UK on road safety.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My department has not made an assessment of the impact of foreign drivers holding licences from countries with lower testing standards than the UK.
All drivers on GB roads, are expected to follow the rules and regulations as set out in the Highway Code.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the 12-month period during which holders of non-EEA driving licences may drive on UK roads without undergoing UK testing.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
At present, there are no plans to change the rules around how long foreign drivers can drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.
Safety is always our top priority, and we are proud that our roads are among the safest in the world.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2024 to Question 10405 on Driving Licences: Foreign Nationals, if she will hold discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on the potential merits of recording statistics on the nationality of newly qualified driving licence holders.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
As information on nationality is not required for driving licence purposes, there are no plans for the Driver and Vehicle Agency to record this data for newly qualified drivers.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of new driving licences were issued to foreign nationals in each of the last three years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The information requested is not available, as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not record the nationality of driving licence holders.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department made a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of (a) driver licensing and (b) vehicle registration requirements on (i) Ukrainian nationals with refugee status and (ii) other temporary overseas visitors resident in the UK.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.
My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.
With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Lord Wills (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficiency savings that could be achieved from a DVLA database of registered non-GB driving licences which could be accessed by employers.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not hold details of all non-GB driving licence holders and there are no plans for such a database to be created.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on taking steps to review the conditions to apply for a driving licence for (a) newly-settled Ukrainians and (b) other non-UK nationals living in the UK so they are able to apply for (i) bus driver and (ii) jobs in other sectors in which there are a shortage of drivers.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
All non-UK nationals who are normally and lawfully resident in GB can apply for a provisional licence to drive buses and lorries. All applicants must hold a GB licence to drive cars, provide proof of identity and meet medical and conduct standards. Non-UK nationals will need to provide evidence that they have leave to remain in the UK.
Lorry and bus licences issued by EEA countries can be exchanged for the GB equivalent, as can licences issued in Switzerland for some categories of lorry and bus. Officials are progressing the work needed to introduce an exchange arrangement for Ukrainian lorry and bus licences as soon as possible. Exchange agreements are also being progressed with other countries.