Can you have 2 driving Licences UK?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Feb 16, 2026

Can you have 2 driving Licences UK?

The Directive does not allow drivers to have more than one EU/EEA driving licence. In the UK it is not possible to apply for a licence if you already hold another licence. However, it's currently not an offence to hold more than one licence more generally.

Similarly one may ask, can you have two driving Licences?

The DVLA is set to penalise drivers that hold two driving licences, by fining them £1,000 in a bid to try and prevent drivers from being able to avoid disqualifications and bans from driving.

Additionally, why is it illegal to have 2 drivers licenses? Two Licenses Could Get You a TicketFor example, California Vehicle Code §12511 states, “no person shall have in his or her possession or otherwise under his or her control more than one driver's license.” If a police officer finds you have more than one non-expired driver's license at a time, you can be ticketed.

Simply so, which driving Licences are valid in the UK?

Driving licence validity in United KingdomPhotocard driving licences are valid for 10 years. Driving licences for novice drivers are valid until the age of 70. Driving licences for elderly drivers over 70 years are valid for: 3 years - category A.

Which countries driving license can be exchanged in UK?

Drivers from the following countries are able to exchange their driving licences for a British licence: Andorra. Austria.

DVLA also has reciprocal arrangements in place for the following countries:

Australia,
Barbados.
British Virgin Islands.
Canada.
Falkland Islands.
Faroe Islands.
Hong Kong.
Japan.

Can I hold two EU driving Licences?

You can have only one EU driving licence at any one time. If you move to another EU country, you don't usually have to exchange your driving licence for a local one. However, you can voluntarily exchange it for an equivalent one in your new country of residence if you wish.

Can I have a UK and EU driving Licence?

If you are an EU citizen living in the UK you can drive on your EU or EEA car or motorcycle driving licence until you are 70. If you hold an EU driving licence but you passed your test outside the EU or EEA there are restrictions on driving licence exchange. You may need to take a driving test to get a UK licence.

Is it illegal to carry your old driver's license?

Re: Is It Illegal to Keep You Old Drivers License if They Are Cut. Keeping it as a souvenir, no it's not a violation of Federal law. Carrying it around with the intent to show it violates the one license laws which is the major reason they want these things surrendered.

Is DVLA a freepost?

The DVLA (as well as GCDA, HA and VOSA) does not have a "freepost" address and was therefore not included within the response.

Do I need to send my driving Licence for points?

When your licence is sent to DVLA

The FPO or court will send your driving licence to DVLA if: the licence has been cancelled ('revoked') by a court. you're a new driver and you've been given more than 6 penalty points. you've let DVLA know that you've changed your address.

Do you need a photo driving Licence by law?

If you have a paper driving licence

Paper driving licences issued before 31 March 2000 are still valid. When you update your name or address, or renew your licence, you'll only get a photocard licence.

What do the letters and numbers mean on my driving Licence?

849339 – First and last numbers are the year of birth. Second and third numbers are month of birth. (Note: in the case of female driving licence holders, '5' is added to the second digit, this means that the second digit will be 5 or 6). The fourth and fifth digits are the day of the month of your birth.

How can I check my driving Licence UK?

You can also use GOV.UK Verify to access your driving licence information and get a licence check code. If you haven't used GOV.UK Verify before, it will take you about 5 minutes to get set up.

Which country driving Licence is valid in UK?

You can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a licence issued in a 'designated country' (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) after this period you must

Can I buy a car in the UK without a UK license?

Yes, you don't need any licence and there are no age restrictions to buying a car. However, to drive it on a road, you will need at least a provisional licence , an MOT roadworthiness pass certificate, a vehicle excise license, and insurance.

How do I change my driving Licence to UK?

You will need to complete an “Application for a Driving Licence” form (known as a D1), which is available online at uk/motoringforms or via most post offices, and return it to the DVLA along with your licence and the standard £50 fee charged for exchanging licences.

Can a visitor apply for driving Licence in UK?

Tourists can typically use their foreign driver's license for up to a year while in the UK, however, getting an international driving permit (IDP) might be a good idea for licenses issued in a foreign language. Driver's licenses issued in a member state of the EU or EFTA are valid in the UK up until the age of 70.

How do I change my EU driving Licence to UK?

After three years, you will be required to exchange your licence for a British one. To exchange your licence, you must have a permanent address in Britain and have lived in the country for at least 185 days of the last year.

How can I get IDP in UK?

To be eligible for an IDP you must:

Have a full UK driving licence (not provisional) covering the type of vehicle you're planning to drive abroad - be a permanent resident of the UK.
Be a permanent resident of the UK.
Be 18 or over.

Can I exchange my driver's license for a UK license?

Only United Kingdom residents will be able to exchange their foreign licence for a British one. This means you'll need a permanent address in Great Britain that you've lived in for at least 185 days. Licence holders from (most) 'designated countries' can drive on their valid licence for up to 12 months.

How long can I drive with international Licence UK?

12 months

Is Indian license valid in UK?

Is an Indian Driving Licence valid in the UK? YES it is, and there is no legal requirement for it to be in English or to also have an English translation of it by getting an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is only valid when show alongside your original licence and cannot be used on its own.

Can you have a car registered in a different state than your license?

You may be wondering if you can register a car in a different state than you currently live in. The short answer is yes, but specific regulations vary on the different states. Read more to find out your specific state's car registration requirements.

Is it illegal to have two drivers licenses UK?

In the UK it is not possible to apply for a licence if you already hold another licence. However, it's currently not an offence to hold more than one licence more generally. To comply with the Directive, we need to change the law to stop drivers holding more than one EU/EEA driving licence.

Can you live in one state and have a driver's license in another?

Yes, your driver's license is valid in every state. However, if you become a permanent resident of another state, you will have to apply for a new license in that state (often within 30 days of moving to that state). Some states have lower driving ages, and you may not be allowed to drive in another state.

Is it illegal to have two IDs?

It is illegal to have two valid IDs that are exactly the same type, i.e. two valid driver's licenses. But you can have, say, a passport and a driver's license on you at the same time and that's fine. It might be illegal to have the DMV print two copies of your driver's license, or have the State Dept.

Can I get a driver's license in another state if mine is revoked?

You will not be able to get a driver's license in another State if your driver's license is revoked in another State. 48 States are either a member of the Driver's License Compact or the Non-Resident Violator Compact through the AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators).

Can you hold a UK and Irish driving Licence?

If you are resident in Ireland and hold a UK driving licence: If you hold a UK driving licence and are resident in Ireland, you should apply to exchange your UK licence for an Irish licence. In a no deal scenario, immediately post-Brexit, UK licences will not be valid for those who are resident in Ireland.

How long do you have to change residency?

183 days

The five states that do not share driving records include:

Georgia.
Massachusetts.
Michigan.
Tennessee.
Wisconsin.

How much does it cost to change EU driving Licence to UK?

You will need to complete an “Application for a Driving Licence” form (known as a D1), which is available online at uk/motoringforms or via most post offices, and return it to the DVLA along with your licence and the standard £50 fee charged for exchanging licences.

Can I take my driving test in a different country?

A driving test is required if you have: Never been licensed in California or any other state or you hold a driver license (DL) from a foreign country. Been licensed out-of-state but do not have the DL to surrender.

Can a Thai driving Licence be used in the UK?

Any person with a valid driving licence issued in their country of origin is permitted to drive in the United Kingdom for at least 12 months. After this period, you will need to exchange your documents for a UK licence, or pass the DVSA's UK driving test. If you do not take the test, you will not be allowed to drive.

Can I convert my US driving Licence to a UK one?

No. Where there is a will there is a way. So your USA driving licence allows you to drive in the UK for up to 12 months, but during that time you need to obtain a UK provisional licence and then pass the UK driving test.

Can I change my international driving license in UK?

Only United Kingdom residents will be able to exchange their foreign licence for a British one. The UK will allow you to exchange your licence if it was issued on or after the 1st of April 1991. Licence holders from (most) 'designated countries' can drive on their valid licence for up to 12 months.

Continue Reading

Who is Uncle Sam's female equivalent to?

Why are Arab eyes so beautiful?

Does nightfall the ordeal count for truth?

Can you have 2 driving Licences UK?