Drive on a foreign licence or exchange it
How long you can drive on a non-UK licence and whether you can exchange it depends on the country that issued it. Check before the deadline that applies to you.
Home » Public bodies » Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Holds driver and vehicle records in Great Britain: driving licences, vehicle tax, SORN and the V5C log book.
Part of: Department for Transport
Contact
How to contact DVLA
Use the link to find the right number, email or address to contact DVLA about vehicle tax and registration, driving licences and drivers’ medical issues.
- Contact form
- gov.uk/contact-the-dvla
We only list official numbers. Beware of websites showing 084, 087, 09 or 118 numbers that connect you to a public body at a premium rate.
Related procedures
Apply for a provisional driving licence
You need a provisional licence before you can take driving lessons and tests.
Change the address on your driving licence
You must tell DVLA when you move. It is free online.
Vehicle tax
Tax your vehicle before using it on the road, even if it costs nothing.
Vehicle log book (V5C) and registering a vehicle
The V5C log book shows who the registered keeper of a vehicle is. Get it updated when you buy or sell, and replace it if it is lost or damaged.
Take a vehicle off the road (SORN)
If you keep a vehicle off the road and untaxed, for example in a garage, you must tell DVLA with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
View or share your driving licence information
Check your driving record, penalty points and the vehicles you can drive, and create a 'check code' to share it, for example with a car hire company. For licences issued in England, Wales or Scotland.
Renew your licence at 70 or a medical licence
From 70 you must renew your licence every 3 years. Short term licences issued because of a medical condition also need renewing before they expire.
Social media
Contact data source: GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0, updated 12 October 2026.