UK Driving & Road Rules: A Guide for Overseas Drivers

Driving in the UK: the basics

The UK drives on the left-hand side of the road, which is the single biggest adjustment for drivers arriving from most of continental Europe, North America and much of Asia. Roundabouts, in particular, take some getting used to — you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, approaching from your right.

Seatbelts are compulsory for every seat, mobile phone use while driving is illegal (even at traffic lights), and drink-drive limits are lower than in many other countries. If in doubt, don't drink at all before driving.

Can I drive on my overseas licence?

This depends on where your licence was issued:

Always check the current rules on GOV.UK for your specific country before you rely on this table — licence exchange agreements do change. If your car is provided through an expat car lease, our partners can also advise on what documentation they'll need to see.

Do I need to take a UK driving test?

If your licence isn't from a country with an exchange agreement, or your 12-month window has passed, you'll need to pass both the UK theory and practical tests to keep driving. Many expats find it worthwhile to book early, as test centre waiting times can run into several months in busy areas.

Key rules of the road

• Speed limits are in miles per hour (mph): 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on single carriageways, and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless signed otherwise.
• Roundabouts flow clockwise; give way to traffic from the right unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Motorways are signed with blue signs and numbered with an "M" (e.g. M1); the leftmost lane is the default driving lane, with overtaking on the right.
• Parking rules are strictly enforced with cameras and traffic wardens — always check yellow line and permit signage before leaving your car.
• Fuel is sold in litres, and gets pricier the further you are from a motorway services or major town.

MOT, tax and insurance

Every car over three years old needs an annual MOT test — a roadworthiness check. Vehicle tax (also called road tax) must be kept current, and the DVLA sends reminders by post once you're registered at a UK address.

Car insurance is a legal requirement and, for new arrivals with no UK driving history, premiums are often higher until you build a no-claims record. This is one of the reasons many expats choose an expat car subscription with insurance included, or use our expat car insurance comparison tool to find competitive quotes.