Driving in the UK: a mini guide for expats

If you’re moving to the UK and are planning to get a car, this guide is for you.

We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about driving in the UK — from driving in the UK on a foreign licence to figuring out how to get a UK driving licence and of course, picking the right car insurance. ‍

What do you need to drive in the UK

We answer all your questions on what is needed from you to drive legally in the UK.

What age can I drive in the UK?

You must be 17 or older and have passed your driving test to legally drive in the UK. UK residents can apply for a provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months old. If you have a provisional licence from another country, you cannot drive in the UK.

Can I drive in the UK on my foreign licence?

If you already hold a valid licence from another country, you can usually drive in the UK for up to 12 months after moving here.

After that, if your licence isn’t from the EU or EEA, you’ll need to apply for a UK driving licence to keep driving legally.

Tip: You can check whether your licence is valid for use in the UK using the official government tool.

How do I get a UK driving licence?

If you’re from a designated country or from Northern Ireland, Guernsey, or Jersey, you can exchange your international licence for a UK one without retaking your test.

Designated countries include: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and Zimbabwe.

If your licence isn’t from one of these countries (or the areas listed above), you’ll need to take a UK theory test and driving test to get a UK licence.

Read more on how to pass your UK driving test.

How do I exchange my international driving licence for a UK one?

You’ll need to be a UK resident, meaning you live here permanently or intend to for at least 183 days a year.

To get a UK driving licence, follow these steps:

1. Check eligibility using the using the government’s online tool.
2. Order the DVLA application forms online.
3. Send the completed forms and documents, including:

• Passport, travel document, or national ID card
• Passport-sized photo
• Your current driving licence

1. Pay the £43 fee.
2. Wait for your new UK driving licence to arrive in the post. Remember, you won’t get your old one back.

Moved from Japan or South Korea? You’ll also need to send a certified translation of your current driving licence at step 3.

Driving in the UK with an EU Licence after Brexit

If you’re living in the UK but have an EU driving licence, don’t worry! You can keep driving using your EU licence until you’re 70 years old.

You can still exchange your licence for a UK one if you want to. To do that, follow the steps above. You don’t have to take another driving test to get a licence. ‍

Making your car legal ‍

So, you’ve sorted out your driving licence - great work! But, before you can start driving, there are a few other things you need to tick off your to-do list.

• Register your car - If it’s a brand-new car, the dealer will usually register it for you. If it’s second-hand, the seller can do it online or by post.
• Pay vehicle tax (sometimes called road tax) - This is a legal requirement for all cars. Find your car’s logbook (V5C) (usually in the glove box) and make sure it’s in your name. Then use the reference number on it to pay road tax on the official government website.
• Check the MOT is up to date - An MOT is a yearly safety and emissions test. Cars over three years old must have a valid MOT to be road legal. You can check whether a car has an up-to-date MOT by using this government form, here.
• Get car insurance - Another legal requirement, and the easiest one to sort! Get a quick quote with Marshmallow to see what you could save.

Want to know more about buying a car and staying road legal in the UK? Read our blog buying a car in the UK FAQs.

How does UK car insurance work?

In the UK, car insurance is a legal requirement — you can’t drive without it.

Unlike in some other countries, car insurance here covers the car itself, not just the driver. That means if someone else — like a friend, partner, or family member — wants to drive your car, you’ll need to add them to your policy. Don’t worry, we’ll ask about this when you get your quote.

If they already have their own car insurance, they might be covered to drive other cars under their policy. Always double-check this and make sure you’re happy with the level of cover before they get behind the wheel.

What levels of car insurance can I get? ‍

There are three types of car insurance in the UK:

Third-party This is the most basic level of car insurance. Third-party insurance only protects the other driver in an accident, not you or your car.

Third-party fire and theftThis type of cover is the same as third party. But it also protects you if:

• your car is damaged by a fire
• your car is damaged by someone trying to steal it
• your car is stolen

Fully Comprehensive (or Fully Comp) Fully Comprehensive cover protects you and the other person in an accident. Your insurer will pay out if:

• you damage your car or someone else's car
• you injure yourself or someone else
• you damage someone's property
• your car is damaged by fire
• your car is stolen

For more information on the three types of car insurance cover, read our blog here.

Marshmallow car insurance policies are all fully comprehensive. That’s because we want to offer our customers as much protection as possible.

Insurance terms and what they mean

We know insurance can sound complicated. So here are some common UK insurance terms and what they mean:

• Excess: The amount you pay if you make a claim. It includes a Compulsory Excess (set by your insurer) and an optional Voluntary Excess (an extra amount you choose to pay to lower your premium). Just make sure you can afford the total if you need to claim. Read more about what is excess?
• Courtesy Car: A temporary car you might get while yours is being repaired after an accident. Some insurers (like us!) also offer upgrades if your car is stolen or written off. See if you're entitled to a courtesy car.
• Premium: The price you pay for your insurance — usually once a year or monthly. It’s based on things like your car, location, driving history, and chosen excess. Read more on what is a car insurance premium.
• No Claims Discount (NCD): A discount you earn for every year you drive without making a claim. Most UK insurers only count UK driving history — but we accept no-claims proof from any country, no translation needed. Read more about no claims discount.

Road rules and driving tips‍

What UK driving rules should I know about?

Here are some good things to know before you set off on the road:

• Drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Speed limits and road signs use miles (mph), not kilometres.
• If you see flashing blue lights or hear sirens, move safely to the side to let emergency vehicles pass.
• It’s illegal to use a handheld phone while driving — no texting, calling, or scrolling.
• You can use hands-free devices like Bluetooth for calls or satnav, as long as they don’t block your view or distract you.

For the full list of UK road rules, read the Highway Code before driving.

Common UK road signs

It's important you understand how UK road signs work. Here are a few to get you started.

Give Way: Let other traffic pass unless it’s safe to go.

Stop: Come to a complete stop before continuing.

National Speed Limit: You can drive up 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Maximum Speed Limit: Shows the speed limit for that road. ‍

How to use a roundabout

Roundabouts can be confusing at first — here’s how to navigate them safely:

1. Give way to traffic from the right — vehicles already on the roundabout have priority.
2. Choose the correct lane based on signs or road markings before entering.
3. Use your indicators to show where you’re going:

• Turning left → usually the first exit.
• Going straight → don’t indicate until after passing the exit before yours.
• Turning right → usually the third exit (but this varies).

Want more help? Check out our guide to UK roundabouts.

How we can help

At Marshmallow, we’re here to make car insurance fairer for people moving to the UK. We look at your full driving history, no matter where in the world you’ve driven before.

Get a quote today and see what you could save.