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
- April 24, 2026
Verified country guides
15 / 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.
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).
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
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.
Austria
6 months from establishing residence (non-EEA); EEA licences indefinite
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
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.
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
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Test available in English
Test available in English
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
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English Practice Available
English Practice Available
Test available in English
English Practice Available
English Practice Available
Test available in English
English Practice Available
Practice in English
Learn the rules in English before taking the official test in the local language
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Official Questions
Practice with real test questions from official sources