Driving licence rule changes confirmed with thousands of motorists impacted

New driving licence rules have been introduced to support tens of thousands of motorists across the UK.

Labour has confirmed that it has offered further support for Ukrainians living in the UK by extending driving rights.

Ukrainians who fled to the UK in the aftermath of the Russian invasion have been granted an extra two years to drive in Great Britain without extending their licence.

Eligible Ukrainians will also not be required to register and pay Vehicle Excise Duty on their Ukraine-plated vehicles for an extra two years.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The Government said this will reduce administrative burdens and "avoid unnecessary costs" when returning to Ukraine.

Extensions to the driving licence rules are aligned with the length of time Ukrainians can stay in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

This allows eligible people from Ukraine to stay in the UK for a further two years from the end of their current visas.

Commenting on the new driving licence rules, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander noted that the UK "stands firmly with the people of Ukraine".

She added that Ukrainians who have fled "Putin's illegal invasion" can continue driving across the UK in a bid to make daily life "that little bit easier".

Ukrainians can qualify for licence extensions depending on certain criteria, giving them a certain number of months.

They could receive an extension of three years (36 months), four years and six months (54 months), five years (60 months) or six years and six months (78 months).

Anyone granted an extension to their licence is allowed to drive a car up to 3,500kg, a motorbike or a moped.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Motorists warned as emergency car tech 'may not operate and should not be relied upon' until 2027
• MOT test changes launching in days will have huge impact on thousands of garages
• BMW 'plans to slash 8,000 jobs' in massive cost-cutting operation

Motorists can exchange their Ukrainian licence for a GB licence within five years of becoming a resident in Great Britain.

Anyone who passed their driving test before December 28, 2021, can only exchange their licence for a GB automatic licence, as they will need to take a new test for a manual car.

Someone who passed their manual driving test on or after December 28, 2021, can exchange it for a GB manual car licence.

People with a Ukrainian licence in Northern Ireland may be able to drive on that licence for up to three years.

It follows a meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Portsmouth earlier this week.

Speaking at a naval base, Mr Burnham told his Ukrainian counterpart that Ukraine could rely on the UK "for as long as it takes".

He said: "To put it simply, Volodymyr, I want you to know that we've got your back, you can count on me and you can count on us.

"I am personally with you 100 per cent, Mr President, and I will honour every commitment this country has made to Ukraine in full."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter