If you hold a foreign driving licence and you want or need to change it to a Northern Ireland driving licence, there are certain conditions that you need to consider when applying.
If your EU/ EEA driving licence is still valid, you do not need to exchange it at this time. You may continue to drive until your licence expires. An EU/ EEA driving licence may be exchanged even if it has expired.
If your EU/ EEA driving licence is still valid, you do not need to exchange it at this time. You may continue to drive until you reach the age of 66 years, or for a period of five years from the date you became resident in the United Kingdom, whichever is the earlier, if your licence is still valid. An EU/ EEA driving licence may be exchanged even if it has expired.
If your exchangeable driving licence is still valid, you do not need to exchange it at this time. You may continue to drive for a period of one year from the date you became resident in Northern Ireland, if your driving licence is still valid. From 25 th March 2024, Ukrainian licences may be used for a period of three years from the date you became resident in Northern Ireland, if your driving licence is still valid. An exchangeable licence can be exchanged within a period of five years from the date you became resident.
Northern Ireland will exchange driving licences issued by the following countries on a like for like basis:
Northern Ireland will also exchange driving licences issued by Gibraltar and 21 designated countries. The designated countries are:
Motorcycle entitlement from the Faroe Islands, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of North Macedonia, Taiwan and Ukraine is not exchangeable.
Motorcycle entitlement from the Cayman Islands and the United Arab Emirates is limited to small motorcycles (category A1).
To make sure you have continuous driving entitlement you must apply for a Northern Ireland licence within 12 months of the time you became resident in Northern Ireland. If you do not do this you must stop driving until you are issued with a Northern Ireland licence, although you may still exchange your licence within five years of becoming resident.
From 25 th March 2024, Ukrainian driving licences may be used for up to a period of three years from the date you became resident in Northern Ireland, provided your licence remains valid.
Some Australian driving licences do not show whether the driving test was taken in a car with manual transmission or automatic transmission.
If you are issued a Northern Ireland driving licence in exchange for a licence from the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania or Victoria it will restrict you to driving vehicles with automatic transmission only. That is unless you can give documentary evidence to prove that the driving test was taken in a vehicle with manual transmission.
A Canadian driving licence does not show whether the driving test was taken in a car with manual transmission or automatic transmission.
If you are issued a Northern Ireland driving licence in exchange for a licence from Canada it will restrict you to driving vehicles with automatic transmission only. That is unless you can give documentary evidence to prove that the driving test was taken in a vehicle with manual transmission.
South African driving licences can only be exchanged if they are in the new style credit card format.
Also, the following rules apply:
If you are exchanging your South African photocard driving licence, this will be returned to the South African licensing authority.
From 25 th March 2024, Ukrainian driving licences may be used for up to a period of three years from the date you became resident in Northern Ireland, provided your licence remains valid.
Ukrainian driving licences issued before 28 December 2021 do not show whether the driving test was taken in a car with manual transmission or automatic transmission
If you are issued a Northern Ireland driving licence in exchange for a licence from Ukraine it will restrict you to driving vehicles with automatic transmission only. That is unless you can give documentary evidence to prove that the driving test was taken in a vehicle with manual transmission.
If you are able to provide proof of your test pass after you have been issued with a Northern Ireland licence, you can apply to have the automatic transmission restriction removed free of charge.
Zimbabwe driving licences are only exchangeable if you have passed a Zimbabwe driving test in a class 4 or 5 vehicle, or a category BE vehicle. Licences which show start dates for higher categories (including class 1 or 2, or categories CE or DE) being the same as the start date for smaller categories of vehicle cannot be exchanged.
If you are a new resident you may not drive medium or large vehicles or passenger carrying vehicles until you have passed the relevant Northern Ireland driving test. If you hold a Gibraltar vocational licence you can drive for 12 months and can exchange a valid vocational licence within five years of date of residency.
If you want or need to change your driving licence for a Northern Ireland driving licence, you must fill in the application form DL1 that is available from the main Post Office branches. If you are exchanging a Swiss licence with entitlement to drive goods vehicles or passenger-carrying vehicles, you must use application form DL1.
You will need to include original paperwork confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and suitable proof of residency (see 'identity documents and photographs' link below for further details).
Send your filled in application and the right fee to DVA driver licensing at the address at the link below:
You can find notes to help you fill in the DL1 application form at the link below:
If your vocational licence was issued in an EU/ EEA country or Switzerland you will need to include a medical report form if, at the time of your application, you are 45 years of age or over.
The following conditions must be met before a licence can be granted in exchange for a NI one:
Consulate General of Japan
2 Melville Crescent
Edinburgh
EH3 7HW
Republic of Korea licences must come with an official translation from the:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
60 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6AJ
You may have to pay a fee to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for this service. Translations from other sources are not acceptable.
Taipei Representative Office
50 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W 0EB
The driving licence fee includes return of your supporting documents (where applicable) by second class post. If you would like your supporting documents returned by secure delivery, you must send the right size pre-paid special delivery envelope.
DVA will not give compensation for any loss or delay resulting from the use of second class post.