Thank you for your email unfortunately this is not a request for recorded information, as this is a general enquiry I have forwarded your email to our Customer Relation team who will contact you directly. If you have any further enquiries please use following link: https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla or call 0300 790 6801 for Driving Licence enquires or 0300 790 6802 for Vehicle enquires.

Regards

Freedom of Information Team
Strategy, Policy and Communications Directorate | C2E |  DVLA | Swansea | SA6 7JL

Our online services are the quickest and easiest way to transact with us. Go to gov.uk/dvla now.
Ein gwasanaethau ar-lein yw'r ffordd gyflymaf a hawsaf o drafod gyda ni. Ewch i gov.uk/dvla-cymraeg nawr.
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Dear TH

Thank you for your enquiry.

We appreciate you have taken the time to contact us in relation to this
matter.

Probationary driving licences are acceptable for exchange and will be a
full GB driving licence that is received. 

If you passed your driving test in Hong Kong, you can drive all the
vehicles shown on your driving licence for up to 12 months from when you
became resident in GB (as long as the driving licence remains valid).

If you want to drive for over 12 months you will need to exchange your
driving licence for a GB driving licence.

Want to exchange your driving licence?

You can apply to exchange a valid driving licence within 5 years of
becoming resident in GB. We can only exchange car and motorcycle
entitlement, not lorries or buses.

You’ll need to complete a D1 application form for cars or motorbikes. This
form can be ordered here www.gov.uk/dvlaforms. Alternatively, you can get
one from selected Post Offices® (www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder) that
offer driving licence transactions.

Remember:

• To include the relevant ID
• To include your current driving licence (if you have lost it, you'll
need to provide a proof of entitlement letter from the issuing
authority)
• To include 1 Passport standard photograph
• The fee is £43.00
• Your driving licence will not be returned to you. We must send it to
the issuing authority as part of our exchange agreement.

For advice on how to take a digital photograph please visit
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports ... requirements are the same as a
passport photo.

You will need to print your digital photo and attach it to your
application form.

What ID do I need to send?

You will need to send proof of your identity with the application. To
check what ID you can send and how this will be returned, please see the
full list of acceptable documents here www.gov.uk/id-for-driving-licence.

Please fill in your contact number and email address on section 2 of the
form, or include a covering letter with your contact details.

Where should I send the application?

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1BT

How long will it take?

All our services are operating within normal turnaround times as paper
applications are being processed within 3 weeks. In some cases this can
take longer if we need to make further checks or if your application needs
to be passed to another department.

For updates on DVLA timescales, please check GOV.UK using the following
link: www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-services-update.

I trust this information is of assistance to you and answers your entire
enquiry.

Do not reply to this email. If you wish to contact us again about this
response, please contact us at www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla

Best Regards

Ben

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