Bluebird Insurance

Temporary car insurance with an international driving licence

Many visitors and new residents can drive small vehicles in Great Britain on a valid overseas licence for a limited period. Exchange rights and special arrangements vary by country, while insurance acceptance is always decided separately by the insurer.

Written by Jennifer McKenzieLast reviewed

First published . Checked against our editorial policy and re-reviewed whenever the underlying rules change.

Temporary car insurance with an international driving licence

The usual 12-month rule

For many non-EU licences, visitors and new Great Britain residents can normally drive small vehicles for up to 12 months. Designated countries may offer a test-free exchange route; other licence holders normally need to pass UK tests to continue after the permitted period.

  • Use the official checker for your country and vehicle category.
  • Ukraine has a separate extended arrangement for eligible residents.
  • Northern Ireland rules are administered separately.

European country guides

The full European list includes EU, EEA, designated and non-designated licence countries.

Insurance checks

An IDP translates a licence; it does not create driving entitlement or require an insurer to accept the risk.

Bluebird Insurance is not an insurer, broker or agent. We prepare your details and pass them to third-party insurers, who decide whether to offer cover. Each insurer sets its own foreign-licence and UK-residency criteria.

Sources and references

Frequently asked questions

Send your details to insurers in three minutes

Enter your registration and the dates you need. We prepare your details and pass them to insurers, who decide whether to offer cover.

Get an indicative estimate

Bluebird Insurance is not an insurer, broker or insurance agent. We provide document preparation and a consulting service and pass your details to third-party insurers, who decide whether to offer cover. All prices are indicative estimates, not quotations.