What did you do with your UK Driving License?

[RockDr]

Was just going to put a Thanks up for Rock Dr, but thought the clarity of the posts and usefulness of the information is actually worth more than that, so just wanted to say a huge Thanks for the above two answers, which are really great. :D

Heh, thanks Diane, it's amazing what 30 seconds and google can do for you ;)

[Guest1495]

I asked if we needed a Oz licence at the driving department, they said we could defiantly have one if we wanted but not compulsory. We didn't see the point at the time, saved us a few hundred when first got here.

[guest3462]

Yes, we are on a 457 visa and Rich had to get a new Aussie licence to buy a new car! All was fine and easy!

[RockDr]

cool thanks :) will add that to the list of paperwork to get done at some point.

[dastott]

It doesn't matter what visa you are on. The office on North Terrace just want to see some official paper (utility bill is fine I think) with your SA address on it. I was on a tourist visa when I got mine.:)

[Jerome]

Yes, we are on a 457 visa and Rich had to get a new Aussie licence to buy a new car! All was fine and easy!

Heh! I've been registering my cars on my UK license for 10 years now as we have been temp hat long. Benefit? Not a single 'point' on my license despite getting a few camera tickets!

Now we have perm status(after trying for 10 years!), but now I have to watch for those blasted cameras!

I was going to get a learner's license, but I would have to go through 3 years on P's, so that is not an option.

[-Leigh-]

I've just been on the direct.gov website for the past hour, and didn't find a definitive answer to my question, but have seen this thread so thought I'd ask.

I have a SA driving licence, and will be back in Adelaide in late Feb. My UK licence photo expires in May this year. If I don't renew it and then at some point in the future decide to move back to the UK, I can just renew the photo can't I? I won't have to sit another driving test? That's my only concern, because if I had to sit another test I will renew my licence before I come back just incase.

I don't think I'd pass a driving test with all the bad habits I've picked up over the years.

[Jerome]

I still have mu old paper license. I am never going to give that up if I can avoid it. I've even had it laminated!

[Jerome]

here goes:
Driving in other countries on a GB licence : Directgov - Motoring

Moving to another country

If you move to another country, you should check with the driving licence authorities there for information about driving and exchange of licences. You don't need to notify DVLA of a change of address when moving to live abroad.

(my emphasis)

Returning to GB

If you return to GB from a non-EC/EEA country and are not in possession of a GB licence, you may:

• drive for up to 12 months on your foreign licence
• apply for a duplicate of your GB licence on payment of a fee

But there is nothing about what happens if you are in possession.

My take from this info is I do not need to change the address and the licence is still 'valid'. I can find no further info, so that is what I'll stick with.

Having the old, old, old paper license valid until I'm 70 with no renewal is great!

[RockDr]

I've just been on the direct.gov website for the past hour, and didn't find a definitive answer to my question, but have seen this thread so thought I'd ask.

I have a SA driving licence, and will be back in Adelaide in late Feb. My UK licence photo expires in May this year. If I don't renew it and then at some point in the future decide to move back to the UK, I can just renew the photo can't I? I won't have to sit another driving test? That's my only concern, because if I had to sit another test I will renew my licence before I come back just incase.

I don't think I'd pass a driving test with all the bad habits I've picked up over the years.

Leigh, the answer to this, in lots of detail, is in one of my posts on the previous page...