Expat Driving License Guide
Moving to a new country? Learn how to convert your driving license, understand local requirements, and practice for the test in English — even when the official exam isn't.
- Countries covered
- 29
- Test languages
- 12+
- Grace period range
- 6-12 mo
- Latest verification
- May 22, 2026
Verified country guides
29 / 29Each guide is cross-checked against the official agency (DGT, FeV, etc.) and dated.
Spain
Non-EU: 6 months from establishing residencia normal. EU/EEA: may drive while the licence is in force.
Germany
6 months from establishing ordentlicher Wohnsitz (extendable by up to 6 more months on application
France
Non-EU: 1 year from establishing résidence normale / from the issue date of your first long-stay title. EU/EEA: valid while the licence is in force.
Italy
1 year from registration of residenza anagrafica for non-EU / non-EEA licences (Art. 135 CdS). EU/EEA licences remain valid for their full printed validity period.
Vietnam
Up to 3 months from entry on a 1968 Vienna Convention IDP paired with the home-country licence
Netherlands
EU / EEA / Swiss: up to 15 years from the original issue date (5 years for C/D categories). Non-EU: 185 days from BRP registration (Wegenverkeerswet 1994 art. 108).
United Kingdom
EU/EEA licence as a GB resident: until age 70 or for 3 years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period. Designated-country licence: 12 months from becoming resident before driving privileges lapse, but exchange available for up to 5 years. Non-designated-country licence: 12 months only from becoming resident
Portugal
EU/EEA: drive until the licence expires (or 2 years if no expiry date). OCDE / CPLP: no deadline while the licence is valid, the holder is under 60 and the licence is within 15 years of issue or renewal. Other convention countries: 185 days as a non-resident, then 90 days after establishing residence. Non-convention countries: licence not valid for driving.
United States
Varies strictly by state
Finland
You may drive on a Contracting State licence for 2 years after moving permanently to Finland; an EU/EEA licence is valid for its full validity period
Norway
Non-EEA: 3 months from arrival / residence. EEA + UK + Switzerland + Japan: exchange is required but there is no 3-month driving cut-off in the same way.
South Korea
1 year from date of entry into Korea with a valid IDP or a licence from a mutually-recognised country (Road Traffic Act Art. 96(1))
Austria
6 months from establishing residence (non-EEA); EEA licences indefinite
Turkey
6 months on a 1968 Vienna IDP paired with home-country licence (tourist period); 1 year from residence-permit start date for ikamet holders
Estonia
Tourists and temporary residents may drive on a valid foreign licence for the whole period of their legal stay; once you become a permanent resident the licence is valid for 12 months
Romania
EU/EEA: usable while in force (exchange voluntary). Non-EU recognised licences: usable until the foreign licence expires or the holder chooses to exchange
Belgium
185 days from commune registration (non-EU recognised licences); EU/EEA licences usable until expiry
Czechia
Short-term visitors may drive on a valid foreign licence (with an IDP where the licence is not convention-compliant or not in Latin script); once you take up residence the 3-month exchange clock applies
Ukraine
You may drive on a valid foreign national licence or IDP for the duration of your legal stay; a 1968-model IDP is valid up to 3 years, a 1949-model up to 1 year
Poland
Indefinitely for EU/EEA/Swiss licences while in force; up to 185 days per calendar year for non-EU licences
Japan
1 year on a valid IDP (Geneva 1949)
Brazil
180 days from your date of entry into Brazil, on a valid foreign licence plus an International Driving Permit (required for licences from Vienna Convention 1968 countries)
Mexico
A valid foreign licence is accepted for driving while your immigration status (tourist or resident) remains valid; an International Driving Permit is not mandatory
Switzerland
12 months from becoming a Swiss resident
Denmark
180 days from establishing sædvanlig bopæl in Denmark (kørekortbekendtgørelsen § 127 / Kapitel 13). EU/EØS, Faroese and Greenlandic licences remain valid indefinitely while in force in the issuing country.
Sweden
Non-EES: 1 year from the date you become folkbokförd in Sweden (6 kap. körkortslagen). EES: valid for driving while the licence is in force in the issuing country.
Chile
90 days on a valid foreign licence + IDP for tourists; no formal grace period once you take up residence
Argentina
Up to 1 year from your date of entry into Argentina, driving on a valid foreign licence plus an IDP (tourist status); a tourist stay is typically limited to 90 days, so the one-year cap rarely binds
United Arab Emirates
Tourists/visitors: a foreign licence from a Markhoos-recognised country (or any foreign licence accompanied by an IDP from a 1968/1949 UN Convention country) is valid for the duration of the visit. Residents: once a residence visa is issued, you must hold a UAE licence before driving
All countries
Click a country to open its full guide.
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