How to get a driving licence for international students in the UK

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If you’re an international student studying in the UK or you’re thinking about studying here, you might be wondering how you’d go about getting a UK driving licence.  

Many universities in the UK are based in cities, and you can get by with public transport, walking or cycling. However, if you’re tired of public transport or just like the idea of travelling by car, the good news is that you can get a driving licence as an international student in the UK! 

This blog will cover everything you need to know about driving in the UK as an international student. We’ll go over if you can drive on your existing licence, how to get a UK provisional licence, and a step-by-step guide on how to get a UK driving licence as an international student.  

Can you drive in the UK on a non-GB licence as an international student? 

If you have a driving licence from your home country, you can drive in the UK without passing a UK driving test. However, how long you can do this will depend on which country your driving licence is from. The best way to check is by using the government’s non-GB licence-checking tool.  

Here’s a summary of the rules for driving on a non-GB licence: 

European Union or European Economic Area  

If you’ve got a driving licence from an EU country, you can drive in the UK for as long as the licence is valid (or until you’re 70). This means you won’t have to take a UK driving test at all! You can even exchange your EU licence for a UK one if you need to, for example, if you intend to work in the UK after graduating.  

Designated country or territory 

If your driving licence isn’t from an EU country, you can drive in the UK for up to 12 months.  

If your country is designated, you can drive on your existing licence for up to a year. If you want to continue driving after this, you must exchange your driving licence for a UK one. You’ll need to check the government’s list of designated countries and territories to see if this applies to you. 

Non-designated country or territory 

If your licence is from a non-designated country or territory, you can also drive on your existing licence for up to 12 months. However, after this period, you’ll need to pass the UK driving test to continue driving.  

First, you’ll need to apply for a provisional licence after being a UK resident for 6 months. Then, you’ll need to pass a theory and practical test to receive your UK driving licence. There’s more information on this process later on in the blog.  

Getting a UK provisional driving licence for international students 

If you don’t have an existing licence or your licence is from a non-designated country and you want to drive for more than a year, you’ll need to apply for a provisional GB licence. You can only do this after you’ve been a resident in the UK for 6 months.  

Applying for a provisional licence online through the DVLA website is simple. You’ll be asked for the following information: 

• Contact and identification information.
• Your addresses for the past 3 years.
• Your National Insurance Number (NIN). This is optional but helps speed up the ID verification process - we’ve got a blog on

Unless you have a British passport, you’ll need to send your original identification documents (such as your passport or Biometric Residence Permit) to the DVLA office in your city. You’ll also need to send a passport-style photo and a return envelope. Getting your provisional licence will cost you £34, which you’ll pay at the end of the process.  

How to get a UK driving licence for international students 

If you’re thinking about driving in the UK as an international student, here’s a quick breakdown of the steps you’ll need to take to obtain a UK driving licence: 

Step 1: Check how long you can drive on your non-GB licence  

As we mentioned above, if you’ve got a valid driving licence from another country, you can drive in the UK for a year or longer if you’ve got an EU licence or one from a designated country. 

Step 2: Apply for a provisional licence  

If you don’t have an existing licence, you must apply for a UK provisional licence if you want to learn to drive here. This process can only be started after you’ve been a resident in the UK for at least 6 months.  

Step 3: Prepare and pass your theory test 

After you’ve received your UK provisional licence, you can start preparing for your theory test. You can apply online on the DVLA website, and the test costs £23.  

Make sure you revise for the test even if you’ve taken a theory or practical driving test in your home country, as the questions asked will be different. You'll need to revise the Highway Code and prepare for the hazard perception test.  

Step 4: Take driving lessons and practise for your practical test 

You’ll need to take driving lessons with a qualified instructor (or drive with someone who meets the DVLA’s legal requirements) to ensure you’re ready for your UK driving test. Even if you’ve passed a driving test in your country, you should have a few lessons to ensure you have the best chance of passing your UK test.  

Step 5: Book and pass your practical driving test 

After you’ve passed your theory test, you can book your practical test.  

Once you’ve passed, you’ll receive your UK driving licence and be able to drive in the UK without supervision. Remember, you'll need to purchase car insurance if you decide to buy a car, rent a car, or drive a friend's car in the UK. 

All-inclusive accommodation for international students 

Getting your UK driving licence can be a great way to see the country, and it means you won’t have to rely on public transport! However, there’s no denying that learning to drive in a foreign country can be stressful, especially when combined with finding a place to live for the next academic year and sorting out confusing household bills.  

This is where UniHomes comes in… We have a comprehensive landlord and letting agent network with all-inclusive student accommodation for international students in the UK. Whether you’re after a modern city centre studio or a spacious student house to share with your friends, you can find it on our site! 

Best of all, every single one of the properties on our site comes with all bills included. If you book next year’s accommodation through UniHomes, you won’t have to worry about setting up UK utility accounts or working out the best energy deals. Everything is automatically included in your monthly rent payment! Plus, your water and energy bills are uncapped, so you don't have to stress about accidentally using too much. 

Contact us today to learn more about the all-inclusive properties for international students. Or look at the properties for rent to see what’s available in your student city.