Driving Cars and Motorcycles in the UK

The UK boasts an extensive network of rail, coach and bus services, and most students get along happily without their own vehicle. However, if you want to drive while you’re in the UK, this is what you need to know:

To drive a car or motorcycle in the UK you must have a valid licence and you must be at least 17 years old.  If you will be in the UK for 12 months or less, you can drive small vehicles (e.g. cars, motorcycles, vans up to 3.5 tonnes) for up to 12 months from the day you arrive in the UK, provided you have a full valid driving licence from your own country or an international driving permit and your licence or permit remains valid during your stay.  If you want to continue driving after the 12-month date, you will have to apply for a UK provisional licence ahead of time (look for details at your local post office) and take a driving test.

Main rules of the road

• Drive on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right.
• Seat belt must be fitted in the front seats of the car. The driver and any passengers in the front seats must wear the seat belts. If seat belts are fitted in the rear seats, passengers sitting there must also wear the belts.
• You must wear a crash helmet when riding a motorcycle or moped.
• Do not drive any motorcycle if you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs
• Obey the speed limits. These are displayed on signs along the roadsides. The usual limits are 30 or sometimes 40 miles per hour in towns and build-up areas, 70 mph on motorways, and 60 mph on all other roads.
• You must not drive without a valid license – make sure you have one, as outlined in the preceding section.
• You must not drive without valid insurance

Find more information on driving regulation.

If you decide to buy a vehicle, and/or if you intend to drive a vehicle during your stay in the UK, motor vehicle insurance is compulsory.  For more information, please contact the Association of British Insurers. This web site contains a number of useful consumer fact sheets.

Buying and owning a car

If you own a car in the UK, you must do all the following:

• Make sure that it is registered in your name. When you buy a new or second-hand car, you should be given the car’s registration document. You must immediately register or re-register the car in your name by completing the document and sending it to the address shown in the document.
• Keep it secured.
• Make sure it has a valid MOT certificate if it is over three years old, All cars over three years old must pass a roadworthiness test that is run by the MOT (Ministry of transport). The MOT test is available at most garages, but make sure you choose a garage that is an approved MOT center – look for a sign which says this.
• Pay road tax. All car owners must pay this. The tax for cars registered before 1 March 2001 is currently £165 for one year or £90.75 for six months for a vehicle with an engine larger than 1549c, and £110 for one year or £60 for six months for a vehicle with an engine smaller than 1549cc. For cars registered after 1 March 2001, the tax payable follows a different, graduated system, depending on the type of engine the car has and the amount of carbon monoxide it emits.

To find out how much carbon dioxide your car emits and which valuation band it will fall in.

You can pay the tax at any main post office; take your registration document, insurance certificate and MOT certificate with you. When you pay, you will be given a tax disc, which you must display at all times in your car windscreen. Attach the disc to the inside of the windscreen and leave it there until it expires and you get a new one.