• VISITORS to the UK who are not taking up residence may ride on their domestic licence for up to 12 months from the date of their last entry into the UK. This applies even if they only leave the country for a day trip to France!
• RESIDENTS, i.e. people who are coming here to live may ride on their domestic licence for up to 12 months from the date they become resident. This can have a wide interpretation and there is no doubt much abuse of this system but it is a reasonable guideline.
  
  
  A full UK licence for these riders can be acquired in one of two ways:

Passing a test. This test can only be taken if the candidate holds a UK provisional licence. There are lots of strange tales that surround this provision. E.g. I once knew an American who was on his 12 months residents entitlement but wanted to get his UK licence. He got the UK provisional licence then took his test on a 750cc BMW by virtue of his US licence! He passed.

The exchange licence scheme. A number of countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK whereby their nationals who become resident here can exchange their domestic licence for a full UK licence. All of the EC is involved in this scheme and most of the Commonwealth. DVLA at Swansea can supply the answer to any queries re this arrangement.