Guest Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 Hi Everyone,Just have question and was not able to find answer for it (not saying its not here). I have EU licence for restricted bikes to 25KW...but now I am reading that if it was UK licence after two years I would have full bike..is this correct? Would this work even it the licence I got its from different EU country?? Would I be able to apply and get UK licence without additional test for full bike or could I use my current licence on bases that I have passed my licence in 2007 and its more than two years so I can get none restricted bike?Hope this make sense..at least little bit.. Any thoughts are welcome because I am not to sure what to make of this... Quote
Weebl Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 As far as I am aware, the EU licence category 'A' is ; Any motorcycle or motor tricycle not in category A1. Limited to 25 kW and 0.16 kW/kg for 2 years. So the 2 year thing is not a UK requirement or privilege, but is EU wide.As far as I can see, if you have an EU licence with category 'A' on it, then you can ride a 33 BHP bike. If you have had it for 2 years or more then you have an unrestricted licence. This counts in the country you passed in, as well as here.That is just my reading of it though, and it would be worth you contacting DVLA to confirm this. You may need to contact them anyway as you may need to get a UK counterpart (the paper bit) of your licence. Quote
davefly76 Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 That is just my reading of it though, and it would be worth you contacting DVLA to confirm this. You may need to contact them anyway as you may need to get a UK counterpart (the paper bit) of your licence. I also think you can only drive/ride on an EU licence for a year before you have to apply for a UK licence. Quote
Guest Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 Well from what I have been told...was that for me to be able to drive (big bike) I will need do do another test (just driving with instructor) no test as a such. And that's it, I have never heard about this 2 years law. However if its EU law than it would make sense, but this is the first time I have heard about it. Even if I am in country for longer than 1 year...what are the chances the cops will actually check.. Quote
Weebl Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 Even if I am in country for longer than 1 year...what are the chances the cops will actually check.. If you get stopped they will check. If you get insurance and have an accident, then that insurance will be invalid.I am not 100% sure if you need to get your licence converted to a UK one, now we are all one big cuddly EU, however, if you are supposed to, and you don't and therefore ride or drive illegally, then you are an idiot. Quote
davefly76 Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 Even if I am in country for longer than 1 year...what are the chances the cops will actually check.. That's a stupid thing to say! The reason a lot of us have to pay higher insurance premiums is because of idiots that have the same view as that!! If you are caught driving other than in accordance with a licence (in other words, not having one) you are also invalidating your insurance and putting all other law abiding road users at risk. Quote
Guest Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 No need to get upset....so far my insurance never asked about this and even when I was stopped by cops they didnt ask. Also I can not see why would I need to take new tests for licence that I already have ..just because I am in different EU country. If they can just chance mine than fine, but to do the whole test again would be be silly. Another thing is if you can drive only for a year in UK with EU licence than what about if I just leave the country for a week or something (holidays) and than come back, how would it work than? Sorry if anyone got offended about the ,,cops'' part I would never drive without insurance or with invalid licence..I am not idiot and hate people who do so. Quote
Weebl Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 No need to get upset....so far my insurance never asked about this and even when I was stopped by cops they didnt ask. Also I can not see why would I need to take new tests for licence that I already have ..just because I am in different EU country. If they can just chance mine than fine, but to do the whole test again would be be silly. Another thing is if you can drive only for a year in UK with EU licence than what about if I just leave the country for a week or something (holidays) and than come back, how would it work than? Sorry if anyone got offended about the ,,cops'' part I would never drive without insurance or with invalid licence..I am not idiot and hate people who do so. That is the point, you don't have to take any tests again, you simply swap your licence for a UK one. It is not exactly difficult, but your suggestion you could not be bothered because they would not know anyway was a bit silly.Your insurance will not ask, they will insure you on the information you give them, if at a later date you have an accident and are found not complying with the law then the insurance will become void.As for the holiday question, it quite clearly says 'resident in UK' in the rules, You are still resident here while you go on holiday.You say you would never drive with an invalid licence, but your last post clearly states you would because the 'cops' would not know. That is why people got a bit annoyed. Quote
Guest Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 OK fair enough, it look like it was misunderstanding ...I said ,, what are the chances the cops would check'' But I as I said, I did not mean to upset people. Is there a telephone number or maybe website with contact details where I could find out exactly what to do? I dont think if I just turn up in local police station they be able to help me, correct? Quote
MattB Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 Driving licences issued by countries in the European Community and three other countries in the European Economic Area (EC/EEA) are treated equally. The countries are:Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.Coming to live in Great BritainIf you have a valid EC/EEA licence, you can drive any vehicle covered by the categories shown on your licence for the periods set out below.Ordinary licences - Until you are 70 or have lived in GB for three years, whichever is longer.http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/driverlicensing/drivingingbonaforeignlicence/dg_4022556http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/driverlicensing/drivingingbonaforeignlicence/dg_4022562 Quote
Guest Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 Cool I am going to change my licence for UK one this week, I just hope they will give me the ,,big bike'' as well. It would make sense as I will have UK licence so same rules should be apply to me as well...hopeAnyway thanks a lot for all answers and will you guys keep posted about how I get on with itCheers Quote
revs Posted May 31, 2012 Posted May 31, 2012 That is just my reading of it though, and it would be worth you contacting DVLA to confirm this. You may need to contact them anyway as you may need to get a UK counterpart (the paper bit) of your licence. I also think you can only drive/ride on an EU licence for a year before you have to apply for a UK licence. spot on dave. Quote
cypek Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 That is just my reading of it though, and it would be worth you contacting DVLA to confirm this. You may need to contact them anyway as you may need to get a UK counterpart (the paper bit) of your licence. I also think you can only drive/ride on an EU licence for a year before you have to apply for a UK licence. spot on dave. As MattB posted above this is not true. Holders of EU drivers licence does not have to exchange it for UK licence. I had my licence for 5 years here until I decided to do my bike tests. I was even able to go through my tests using my foreign licence and only exchanged it to get updated categories printed. If it wasn't tests I wouldn't waste my money for exchanging my licence... (as it cost around £50 IIRC). To the OP, your best bet is to make a call or pop in to DVLA and just ask them as you may just waste your money Quote
Guest Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 OK, so I have been just half a hour on the phone with DVLA and from I have been told is I dont need UK licence and I can use my EU license regardless how long I have been resident for. However when I asked if I can get a full bike licence (having my 25KW since 2007) they are not able to give me answer and have been asked to e-mail instead Not sure why this have to be so difficult...I am happy to change my licence and pay the fee 50 pounds but than same law should apply to me. This is more confusing than I thought it might be..... Quote
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