Returning to U.K. Obtaining a U.K. Driving Licence

Car_54

GrumpyDil said:

As above, check your licence validity online and as long as it still shows as valid apply for a photocard straight away. 

No need to make this more complicated than it needs to be. 

He can't apply straight away: AIUI he's still in Thailand. He needs to wait until he has a UK address.

prettyandfluffy

If you've been out of the U.K. for "many years" it might be a good idea to book a driving lesson or two as a refesher, and also read the Highway Code.  Doing one of the free online driving theory tests is another possibility.  Things change.

mdann52

Car_54 said:

skorts07 said:

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. I am under 70 so seems like I can just get another photo card before I reach 70 without needing to resit a driving test. I still have my U.K. licence photo card. My Thai licence can be used for 12 months on returning to the U.K. and I think I can then apply for a new photo card once I have been in the U.K. for 183 days. 

Also, since you have a valid UK licence, I believe it would be illegal to use your Thai licence, though I may be wrong.

It's not illegal, but any endorsements would go straight onto his UK driving licence.
There are legitimate reasons why someone could do this, but not many I admit!

Arunmor

prettyandfluffy said:

If you've been out of the U.K. for "many years" it might be a good idea to book a driving lesson or two as a refesher, and also read the Highway Code.  Doing one of the free online driving theory tests is another possibility.  Things change.

If the OP has been driving in Thailand I suspect he will b e more road aware than most people in the UK.

Ectophile

prettyandfluffy said:

If you've been out of the U.K. for "many years" it might be a good idea to book a driving lesson or two as a refesher, and also read the Highway Code.  Doing one of the free online driving theory tests is another possibility.  Things change.

I think the main skill you need these days, which wasn't covered by my driving test, is weaving around potholes without losing control of your vehicle.

Aretnap

Car_54 said:

skorts07 said:

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. I am under 70 so seems like I can just get another photo card before I reach 70 without needing to resit a driving test. I still have my U.K. licence photo card. My Thai licence can be used for 12 months on returning to the U.K. and I think I can then apply for a new photo card once I have been in the U.K. for 183 days. 

If you're a UK citizen, have a UK licence, and a UK address, I can't see why you can't apply straight away.

Also, since you have a valid UK licence, I believe it would be illegal to use your Thai licence, though I may be wrong.

You don't pick which licence to "use", you are either entitled to drive in the UK or you aren't.

If he has a valid UK licence (which it sounds like he does), he's entitled to drive in the UK, regardless of the status of his Thai licence.

Aretnap

Car_54 said:

GrumpyDil said:

As above, check your licence validity online and as long as it still shows as valid apply for a photocard straight away. 

No need to make this more complicated than it needs to be. 

He can't apply straight away: AIUI he's still in Thailand. He needs to wait until he has a UK address.

I would think he could use the address of a friend or relative in the UK (who he trusts to pass on any correspondence he gets at that address promptly). Then update the licence with his actual address when he gets one.

(It's certainly legal to use an address which isn't your main home address on your licence, so long as it's an address where you are contactable. Whether you are supposed to update your licence when not resident in the UK I don't know, but even if not I might take the view that what the DVLA don't know won't hurt them 😉).

Car_54

Aretnap said:

Car_54 said:

skorts07 said:

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. I am under 70 so seems like I can just get another photo card before I reach 70 without needing to resit a driving test. I still have my U.K. licence photo card. My Thai licence can be used for 12 months on returning to the U.K. and I think I can then apply for a new photo card once I have been in the U.K. for 183 days. 

If you're a UK citizen, have a UK licence, and a UK address, I can't see why you can't apply straight away.

Also, since you have a valid UK licence, I believe it would be illegal to use your Thai licence, though I may be wrong.

You don't pick which licence to "use", you are either entitled to drive in the UK or you aren't.

You're right, but I was thinking of the scenario (which I vaguely remember from a very old Pepipoo) thread) where the punter has two licences, and is stopped by the police. He decides to "use" the foreign licence, in the mistaken belief that it will somehow help him.

skorts07

Arunmor said:

prettyandfluffy said:

If you've been out of the U.K. for "many years" it might be a good idea to book a driving lesson or two as a refesher, and also read the Highway Code.  Doing one of the free online driving theory tests is another possibility.  Things change.

If the OP has been driving in Thailand I suspect he will b e more road aware than most people in the UK.

You are absolutely right about that! I have driven for over 30 years in the U.K. and it is nothing like driving in Thailand. No amount of driving in the U.K. can prepare you for the challenges of driving in Thailand. At least in the U.K. most people adopt the same “rules of the road”. In Thailand anything goes which makes roundabouts very interesting and dangerous! I think driving in the U.K. again will be a pleasant relief. The good thing about Thailand is they drive on the left too - apart from motorbikes which drive on whichever side they fancy including on the hard shoulder going in the wrong direction on dual carriageways!  

Iceweasel

Lots of countries have 'optional' traffic rules. Try driving in Saudi Arabia. The locals are of the opinion that all rules and road signs apply only to foreigners. Allah will protect them. They refuse to use seat-belts and are horrified at the idea of first-aid kits and fire extinguishers. Any accident is ALWAYS the fault of the foreigner as if they had stayed in their own country the accident would not have happened.