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A driving license issued in an EAA country can still be used in the UK as long as it is still valid. This means you don’t have to change it to drive in the UK. Students who go to study in the UK also have other exemptions that make their driving life easier in the UK.
International Students From Outside The EAA
One can drive for a year in the UK using their previous country driving license or an International Driving Permit. After a year, one has to take out a Provisional UK License and put ‘L’ plates on his/her car.
One also has to plan for the full UK driving license test. An adult who has held a full UK driving license will have to sit by your side and you cannot drive on a motorway until you pass your license driving test.
Car Hire in The UK
Driving for at least 12 months, having an International Driving License, or holding a full Driver’s license are among the qualifications that one has to have in order to hire a car in the UK.
You will be required to provide your current driving license to the company for you to hire a car. If you have a UK driving license, you will obtain a car hire code from the DVLA.
Valid insurance for the period you plan to hire the car will have to be processed and ready. The insurance requirements will be provided to you by the car hire provider.
Try and contact as many car hire providers as possible so as to pick the best deal amongst the many offers available. Checking the yellow pages directory list of car hire providers will also help you choose a good deal. You could also purchase a car in the UK – in most cases purchasing a new car in the UK will require quick car finance.
Registering A Car In The UK
After using a car for more than six months in the UK, a car that had been registered abroad can now be registered at the DVLA.
You will be required to send the following documents:-
1-A UK insurance certificate.
2-The car logbook.
3-If the car is more than 3 years old, you will have to submit the MOT certificate.
4-If you come from outside the EU you will have to provide a completed VAT form 414.
5-If you come from the EU, you will be asked to provide the customs form.
Insurance Cover For Your Car
To drive a car in the UK, you will have to own personal insurance cover.
The three insurance covers available in the UK, are:
1-Fire and theft insurance cover.
2-Third Party insurance cover.
3-Comprehensive insurance cover policy.
Note that the compulsory Third Party insurance will not cover damage or loss to your car if the accident is caused by an uninsured or unknown person.
Taxing A Car In The UK
Before you can drive in the UK, the car needs a road tax license. Road tax discs are no longer displayed on the car windscreen since October 2014. You can easily purchase the Road Tax permit from your local Post Office or online.
Different cars have different rates which are valid for 6 to 12 months.
A European student who has brought his/he car to the UK for the purpose of purely studying doesn’t have to pay for his/her car taxes.
This is confirmed in article 51b of the European Justice directive of 28 March 1983.
Ministry of Transport Test. (MOT)
All cars above three years are tested for roadworthiness annually. Most garages can conduct the test. This test is known as the Ministry of Transport Test.
Parking Permits
A resident’s parking permit is needed in case you have a car and want to park it on the road outside your house. If you need a permit for your street, you can check on the local council website for where you live.
Rules for driving in the UK, are set out by The Highway Code. Some of the questions in the driving test exam in the UK are about these rules.
Reviewing these codes before driving in the UK is advised for all International driving license holders.