DRIVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
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If the Registration Document is unavailable, you can make an application for a Registration Document by filling in the form
"Application for a Registration Document" (V62), available from the Post Office. The DVLA will then send you a new Registration
Document in your name.
NB: As a general rule, you should not buy a vehicle without a registration document. The registration document is a good indicator
that the car has not been stolen, although it does not prove legal ownership. You can contact the DVLA vehicle check service on
0906 1858585 for assistance with verifying legal ownership.
Road tax
You must ensure that the road tax for your car is paid before you drive it. You can obtain a tax disc by completing an application form
(V10) that is available from any post office. You will need to take the completed form together with the
following documents to a post office that issues tax discs:
- the Registration Document / Certificate
- the certificate of insurance
- if the vehicle is over 3 years old, a current test certificate of worthiness (MOT). The MOT test is available at most garages, but
make sure that the garage is an approved MOT test centre (it will display a sign which says this)
Insurance
The law in UK requires all motorists to have valid insurance that provides them or anyone they permit to use the vehicle with cover for
the vehicle that they are driving. There are 3 different types of insurance policies:
- Comprehensive (the fullest cover)
- Third Party, Fire and Theft
- Third Party only (the minimum cover)
If the care you are going to drive does not belong to you, then even if there is an insurance policy in force, it may not cover you to
drive unless you are a named driver or it is an 'any driver' policy.
Even 'any driver' policies may not cover learner drivers, or people driving on foreign licenses. It is the driver's responsibility to make
sure that she / he is insured to drive. It is no defence to say that you believed (wrongly) that you were insured. Always check before
driving.
Breaking the law about driving without the right documents can lead to you being fined and banned from driving, and further offences
can result in you being sent to prison.
The cost of motor insurance cover will vary according to a number of factors such as your age, how long you have been driving,
where you are living, the age and value of your car and the type of car you have. Cost may vary considerably
between insurance agencies for the same cover, so you may want to shop around.
Important Legal Requirements
The Driver
- you must drive on the left hand side of the road and overtake on the right.
- if you are riding a motor cycle or a moped, you must wear a crash helmet.
- the driver and front seat passengers must wear seat belts; rear seat passengers must wear seat belts where they are fitted.
- you must not drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- you must observe speed limits: 30 or 40 mph (miles per hour) in build-up areas but some zones in towns and cities have lower
limits, 70 mph on motorways and 60 mph on all other roads unless a different limit is displayed (e.g. 50) - you must observe the minimum age requirements: the minimum age for driving a car or riding a motorcycle up to 250 KW is 17
years of age; the minimum age for driving a medium sized goods vehicle is 18 years of age.
International students (from India):
If you are coming to study in UK for 12 months or less, you can drive any small vehicle (for e.g. a car or van up to 3.5 tonnes) for up
to 12 months from the date that you first arrived in UK to take up your studies if:
- you have a full valid driving license from your own country or an international driving permit, and
- your license or permit remains valid during your stay
If you are coming to study in UK for more than 12 months you may only drive on your valid foreign license or international driving
permit for a period of 12 months from the date you first arrived in UK to take up your studies.
If you want to carry on driving after the 12 month period, you must obtain a provisional UK license (which will allow you to appear for a
driving test) and pass a driving test before the 12 month period elapses. You can apply for a
provisional license (on the D1 form that is available from the post office) once you have been resident in the UK for 6 months.
If you do not obtain a provisional license within the 12 months of your stay you must stop driving at the end of the 12 month period
until you have obtained a provisional license.
When applying for a license, you will need to provide a passport size colour photograph taken against a plain light background. You
must also enclose original documentation confirming your identity. The DVLA leaflet INF1D has
guidance on this and on verifying your immigration status.
Useful website:
www.motoring.gov.uk
Before driving in England, Scotland and Wales (GB) - as an fulfil
the legal requirements and are aware of the correct procedures.
These are outlined below:
Important Legal Requirements - The Car
All motor vehicles in the UK must be registered, taxed and
insured. If the car is more than 3 years old, the car must be
checked and a Certificate of Worthiness (known as MOT Test)
obtained every year before the expiry of the last MOT, which is
valid for 12 months.
Registration
If you buy a brand new car in GB, the dealer will usually arrange
for the car to be registered for you. You will need to provide
documentary proof of your name and address. You must make
sure that the details shown on your Registration
Document / Certificate are correct. If the dealer does not
register your car for you make sure that they give you the
application form (V55) so that you can apply yourself.
If you buy a used car check the Registration Document as there
are two types currently in circulation.
The new style document consists of three parts. You will need to
insert your details on the blue part and sign the form before the
seller sends it off to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA) to notify them of the change of keeper (this means the
person who keeps the vehicle on a public road, not necessarily
the legal owner).
The seller should hand you the green section of the document,
which you should keep until you receive a full registration
document from the DVLA. You should destroy the red section.
the legal requirements and are aware of the correct procedures.
These are outlined below:
Important Legal Requirements - The Car
All motor vehicles in the UK must be registered, taxed and
insured. If the car is more than 3 years old, the car must be
checked and a Certificate of Worthiness (known as MOT Test)
obtained every year before the expiry of the last MOT, which is
valid for 12 months.
Registration
If you buy a brand new car in GB, the dealer will usually arrange
for the car to be registered for you. You will need to provide
documentary proof of your name and address. You must make
sure that the details shown on your Registration
Document / Certificate are correct. If the dealer does not
register your car for you make sure that they give you the
application form (V55) so that you can apply yourself.
If you buy a used car check the Registration Document as there
are two types currently in circulation.
The new style document consists of three parts. You will need to
insert your details on the blue part and sign the form before the
seller sends it off to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA) to notify them of the change of keeper (this means the
person who keeps the vehicle on a public road, not necessarily
the legal owner).
The seller should hand you the green section of the document,
which you should keep until you receive a full registration
document from the DVLA. You should destroy the red section.