Ukraine driving licence exchange government response to consultation
Updated 7 July 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ukraine-driving-licence-exchange/outcome/ukraine-driving-licence-exchange-government-response-to-consultation
Executive summary
This consultation was published 4 April 2023 and closed 2 May 2023. The consultation received 3,021 responses.
The consultation proposed to extend the period during which individuals arriving in Great Britain (GB) due to the Russian invasion can use their Ukrainian driving licences before being required to exchange them for a GB driving licence. It proposed several options for the length of the extension from the current provision of up to 12 months to the preferred option of 36 months (3 years) to match the visa schemes applicable to Ukrainian citizens arriving in the UK.
The vast majority of responses (99%) agreed that there should be an extension, and the majority (89%) agreed with the government proposal for a 36 month (3 year) extension. The consultation also considered the rationale and potential impacts of this, asking for comments on our suggested road safety considerations, any other road safety consideration and provided the opportunity for any other comments.
See this section of this document for further analysis of the results of the consultation.
The government thinks that there is a case for the law to be changed, so that Ukrainians arriving in GB have a 36 month (3 year) period during which they can use their Ukrainian driving licences before being required to exchange for a GB licence. This will match the 36 month (3 year) period that they have been given for visas (the Family, Sponsorship and Extension visa schemes). This will apply to driving licences authorising the driving of cars up to 3,500kg.
The government will bring forward, as a matter of urgency, the required secondary legislation to make this change.
If an individual enters GB on a Ukraine Scheme Visa, but subsequently transfers to a different visa before the end of the 3 year extension (for example, a skilled worker visa) they will still be entitled to the full initial 3 year period from entry under the Ukraine Visa Scheme, before being required to exchange.
UK government is working with the Department for Infrastructure to explore the potential for introducing similar measures in Northern Ireland.
Any Ukrainian who stays in GB beyond the 3 year period will be required to exchange their driving licence for a GB licence. Those who passed their test in Ukraine before 28 December 2021 would be expected to then undergo a manual transmission practical test should they want a manual transmission entitlement licence.
Introduction
The UK has been playing a leading role in supporting Ukraine and we will continue to do so. The Department for Transport has been actively engaged in making the transition to life in the UK as seamless as possible for those arriving here under these difficult circumstances.
In Great Britain (GB), we allow all those driving on non-UK, non-EEA driving licences who become resident 12 months before we require them either to exchange their licences if eligible, or to take a driving test in order to continue driving here.
As with some other countries, GB has a driving licence exchange agreement with Ukraine and Ukrainian driving licences can be exchanged for GB licences. However, only Ukrainian licences issued after 28 December 2021 specify the type of vehicle transmission test that a driver passed. Therefore, licences issued prior to this date can only be exchanged for a GB licence which restricts the driver to driving automatic vehicles.
For those Ukrainians with licences issued before this date, to obtain a GB manual transmission licence they must take a GB manual transmission test.
This is a particular issue for those who have brought manual vehicles with them to the UK, as they may lose the right to drive them. Given the exceptional and temporary nature of Ukrainians’ residence in the UK under the Ukraine Visa Schemes, the government consulted on extending the current 12-month period during which the holder of a Ukrainian driving licence is treated as the holder of a licence authorising the driving of cars in GB. The effect of this will be to extend the period of time before which a Ukrainian licence holder must exchange their licence from the current 12-month period.
The overwhelming majority of responses to this consultation agreed with the proposal to extend the driving licence exchange period. The majority agreed with the preferred option of setting the maximum period prior to exchange to 3 years (36 months) to match the period granted under the Ukraine visa schemes.
The government will bring forward, as a matter of urgency, the required secondary legislation to make this change so that Ukrainians arriving in GB have a 36 month (3 year) period during which they can use their Ukrainian driving licences, before being required to exchange for a GB licence. This will match the 36 month (3 year) period that they have been given for visas (the Family, Sponsorship and Extension via schemes). This will apply to driving licences authorising the driving of cars up to 3,500kg.
If an individual enters GB on a Ukraine Scheme visa, but subsequently transfers to a different visa before the end of the 3 year extension (for example, a skilled worker visa) they will still be entitled to the full initial 3 year period from entry under the Ukraine Visa Scheme, before being required to exchange.
Any Ukrainian who stays in GB beyond the 3 year period will be required to exchange their licence for a GB one. Those who passed their test in Ukraine before 28 December 2021 would be required to then undergo a manual practical test should they want a manual transmission entitlement licence.
Consultation on proposed extension to Ukraine driving licence exchange
The proposals for extending driving licence exchange requirements for Ukrainians arriving in Great Britain (GB) as a result of the invasion was launched on 4 April 2023 and closed on 2 May 2023. The consultation received 3,021 responses via the online survey and email.
The consultation received 2,993 responses via the online survey: 2,966 individuals and 27 from organisations. 28 emailed responses were received which could be put into the online survey format: 28 individuals and 0 organisations.
The responses overwhelmingly supported the proposal to extend the exchange period and support the government proposal for this to be 36 months (3 years).
Views on the proposed change in the law
The consultation asked whether those responding to the consultation agreed with the government’s proposal of extending the eligibility period of time for which Ukrainian licence holders, arriving as a result of the invasion, may drive cars within GB. Overall, 99% (2,990) responded ‘yes’, less than 1% (25) responded ‘no’, 3 responded ‘don’t know’, and 2 skipped this question.
Of the 25 who did not agree with the proposal, 17 cited safety issues, 4 discrimination, and 3 which fell into ‘other’, 1 was left blank.
The consultation then asked, beyond the existing 12-month entitlement what length of time is appropriate for the extension, offering the following options:
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up to 12 months
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greater than 12 months but no more than 24 months
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greater than 24 months but no more than 36 months
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the full Ukrainian scheme visa period of a maximum of 36 months
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another time period greater than 36 months (in months)
In response, the majority (89% (2,687 responses)) responded that the extension should be 36 months; that is the full Ukrainian scheme visa period, so that it matches the period of time granted for the Family, Sponsorship and Extension via schemes.
The second most popular option was another period greater than 36 months at 6.26% (188 responses), and the third most popular option was greater than 24 months but no more than 36 months at 2.6% (78 responses).
The other two options received 0.53% (16 responses) for up to 12 months, and 1.10% (33 responses) for greater than 12 months but no more than 24 months.
Views on road safety
The consultation asked what comments, if any, do those responding have on our suggested road safety considerations as well as if there are any other road safety considerations those responding would like to raise.
Most open text comments relating to our road safety considerations were that 157 (25%) thought that Ukrainian drivers would be able to adjust to driving beyond the current 12 months and that the greater risk would be when then first enter GB whilst adapting. 188 (30%) believed that extending a Ukrainian licence would be fine.
The consultation also asked if there are any other road safety considerations those responding would like to see included, and 144 (5%) agreed there should be.
15 (19%) felt that there should be some practical lessons offered, some kind of exam to test competency or at the very least clear road safety information when they first arrive. There were 4 (0.6%) comments about potential fraud relating to Ukrainian licences, but not supported by evidence.
The consultation concluded with the opportunity for responders to provide any other comments.
Other comments included highlighting the manual licence testing requirement if they did wish to exchange for GB licence (96 responses (15%)), there were 5 responses (0.8%) in relation to obtaining motor insurance, and 23 responses (3.5%) not wishing to register Ukrainian plated vehicles after 6 months. Overall, the open-text questions reiterated strong positive support for this change taking place with 324 (50%) noting this. There were also many thanks from Ukrainian visitors who responded to the consultation.
What the government plans to do
The government recognises the case for change to extend the period that Ukrainians coming to Great Britain (GB) as a result of the Russian invasion can continue to use their driving licences (for cars up to 3,500kg) before being required to exchange for a GB licence. The responses to the consultation support this and support the government’s preferred extension of 36 months (3 years) so that it matches the visa length they have been given (the Family, Sponsor and Extension visa schemes have all been given a 3 years period).
The government will bring forward, as a matter of urgency, the required secondary legislation to make this change.
If an individual enters GB on a Ukraine Scheme Visa, but subsequently transfers to a different visa before the end of the 3 year extension (for example, a skilled worker visa) they will still be entitled to the full initial 3 year period from entry under the Ukraine Visa Scheme, before being required to exchange.
UK government is working with the Department for Infrastructure to explore the potential for introducing similar measures in Northern Ireland.
Any Ukrainian that stays in GB beyond the 3 year period will be required to exchange their licence for a GB one. Those who passed their test in Ukraine before 28 December 2021 would be expected to then undergo a manual practical test should they want a manual entitlement licence.