Car Insurance For International Driver?

talksoccer

Hi,

I have a pakistani international driving licence but i have no idea on how to get a car insurance as most places i look dont seem to do them. I know its possible to drive in the UK with a international licence for a year at least.

Any help or advice would be pefect, also how much will it effect on the final insurance price?

gizmoleeds

The DVLA has details here - I think once you have a UK provisional licence (which does not require any sort of test) you can get the insurance based on that driving licence number, and you can then drive the car legally for a year on your other licence.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drvingb.htm#5

But check with the insurance company when you apply that it will not invalidate your insurance to drive on your Pakistani licence.

talksoccer

Yeah i been a citizen in Britian for 18 years, well i have lived here all my life (born in uK) but went back to Pakistan to get my International licence.

Its just that i dont know how it works, will i have to register with the DVLA first to get this working or can i just go to insurance places and get this done with?

Also is it much more difficult to get a international licence insurance then a normal British licence?

gizmoleeds

Am I to assume that it is relatively easy to get a licence in Pakistan?

The DVLA's foreign licence provisions only apply to new residents or visitors. To be honest I don't think you can legally drive on a Pakistani licence you have gotten while on holiday.

As a pedestrian, I hope you can't too

talksoccer

Dont worry i wont go to a place like Leeds

The licence is pretty easy to get but i dont think thats important as i been driving for about a year, its just it be easier to just drive now instead of going through the test procedure here. I also have a pakistani passport as im hoping this will help too for being a international licence.

Just got to look up the insurance quotes, any idea about websites which do it for internatioanl drivers?

Johnhowell

Charles.

Are you saying that you are driving in the UK for over a year without a UK full licence and Insurance? "it is easy to get" - so get it - IT IS important.

Get off the road - seriously.

Check the DVLC website for International Driving Licences that are valid in the UK - apply for a provisional licence - I think you have 6 months to pass the test - as you say its easy.

I have found that most countries do NOT take International Licences from certain countries - I think it is a international con trick to part with money.

Probably the easiest and cheapest way is to do it the UK route forget the international route - as you are a UK citizen take advantage of it.

Try moneysupermarket.co.uk and enter your details (provisional licence) and see the premium that comes up.

John

Sun

As far as I know only new residents and visitors can drive on international driving licence for upto 1 year.

In 1st year, if you commit any offence, you cannot drive.

talksoccer

From what i understand if you have a passport of a foreign country like i do, then you can drive.

I been driving for years and when i went abroad i was driving there too. I had to pass a test there but it was a fairly easy test. I am going through the legal process, i dont see the need to go after a british licence just yet as i just need this for the short term. Then i will go on to take my theory and practical test, to pass that.

gizmoleeds

talksoccer wrote:

From what i understand if you have a passport of a foreign country like i do, then you can drive.

Contact te DVLA and ask them - it is unlikely that anyone who reads this forum will have experience of what is a fairly obscure request, so just email them.

drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

suman_das

As far as I know, you can drive on an international licence for only a year of the issue. You need to obtain a full UK licence before the expiry of that licence.
The insurance is not too difficult. I had an international licence from India. I tried through confused.com, and though many companies refused, I could find one for about £270 from Norwich Union (with £250 excess and no courtsey car) for my Renault Clio. After I had my UK licence, and time for renewal, NU quoted me more, so I had to ditch them to join Liverpool Victoria. Hope this helps.