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<p>Residents who hold a driving licence issued by a designated country may exchange
that licence for a GB equivalent without the need to take a further driving test here.
Designation of a country is based on an assessment of driver training and testing
standards, which must be comparable with those in this country.</p><p> </p><p>The
following are designated countries for driving licence exchange purposes in Great
Britain: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands,
Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore,
South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.</p><p> </p><p>All visitors and new residents
who hold a valid driving licence issued outside the European Union and have the relevant
entitlement can drive cars and motorcycles in GB for 12 months. After this 12-month
period, non-EU visitors and residents must apply for a provisional driving licence
and pass a driving test in the UK to be able to continue to drive here. This arrangement
is for small vehicles only and does not include driving larger vehicles like buses
and lorries.</p><p> </p><p>In Northern Ireland, driver licensing is a devolved matter
and is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. The designation of
countries outside the EU for driver licence purposes is therefore a decision for the
relevant department in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p>
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