Hi,

I am planning to buy a car in January (Vauxhall Corsa) and have a question.

I am from the Netherlands and have had my Dutch drivers license for 3 years. I recently moved to the UK and was thinking about exchanging my Dutch license for a GB one. I found out today I don't actually need to exchange it and I'm allowed to drive with it untill it expires in 2015 after which I would have to exchange it for a GB one.

Now I know that, I am wondering what the best option is regarding car insurance: keep my Dutch license or get a GB one? I compared some quotes on this site and the cheapest option with my Dutch license would be £420 and with a (very new) GB license £660, a massive difference of £240 a year. This difference is caused by the fact that I have held my Dutch license for 3 years whereas I would only be holding the GB license for a few months.

Now, I don't mind what license I have, but I obviously do mind that £240 a year. Now my question is if it would work out to be a disadvantage using my Dutch license in the long term, even in say 2015 when I need to get a GB license, would I be thrown back to the expensive insurance as I would be holding my GB license for a very short time? Or would it benefit me to get a GB license now as in the long term my insurance would turn out cheaper the longer I hold it? Very confused!

Oh it would cost me £50 to get a GB license.

All help much appreciated!

I don't profess to know the ins and outs of this one but I believe that GB drivers abroad often have to get a driving licence for the country they are living in but do not have to surrender their GB driving licence. Is it possible to have both? i.e. keep the NL licence and also get a GB one? That way it would only cost you £50 and you could get duplicate quotes each year so you would just take the cheapest. Not sure if this would work but might be worth finding out - if only life was so easy! Sorry if this is a red herring.

Hi and sorry for the delay.

No unfortunately I'd have to surrender my Dutch license if I want a GB one!

I wonder though if the years I've held my Dutch license will be transfered onto the GB one?

I only think....not know, that the period you have held a full EU licence will be regarded as being held for the same equivalent number of years, when you exchange it to a GB licence, they are supposed to treat all EU licences in the same respect without discrimination.

You were pretty right, I got a mail from the DVLA this morning saying they would transfer the years if it says on my license what date I passed my test, which in my case it does.

Now my quest continues to see the difference in quotes with different licenses!


For anyone interested in the full DVLA mail:

Thank you for your email about exchanging your Dutch driving licence to a GB one.

I should start by explaining that since 1 January 1997 you are no longer required to exchange a valid EC/EEA licence for a GB licence, providing you have passed a test in an EC/EEA country.

You are entitled to drive here on the strength of your EC/EEA driving licence as long as it remains valid up until the day preceding your 70th birthday or for 3 years after becoming resident here whichever is the longer period.

However, if you wish to exchange your licence, please ask at your main Post Office® for a D1 application form and return the form to DVLA with your licence and the relevant enclosures. A fee of £50.00 is required with your application. The EC/EEA licence will be returned to the Issuing Licensing Authorities.

Important Note: If your EC/EEA licence was issued in exchange for one from another country, this may be valid for driving in GB for only 12 months and you may not be able to exchange it for the GB equivalent.

Holders of community licences with vocational entitlements who live in GB must by law, register their details with DVLA.

Drivers of small vehicle may also register, if they wish. Drivers who register will receive their licence back together with a UK counterpart licence. This would enable them to take advantage of the fixed penalty system for road traffic offences instead of having to go to court. If you would like to apply for a GB paper counter part to accompany your Dutch driving licence, please complete a D9 application form. Please see D100 information leaflet available at the Post Office® for further information.

Turning to the next part of your enquiry. I should point out, if your Dutch driving licence shows the date you passed your car test in Netherlands then this information will be recorded on your GB driving licence. However, if the date you passed your car test abroad is not recorded on your Dutch licence then we will use the date your licence was issued in GB on your licence instead.

With regards to insurance matters. Unfortunately, we cannot comment on this. If you require any information relating to your insurance certificate/policy, please contact your insurance company and they will be able to assist or advice you further.