Diplomatic driving permits
Heads of diplomatic missions, members of the diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff (including family members accepted by the FCDO) and service staff (not including their family members) who wish to drive in the UK but are unable to use their own national driving licence, may apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for a courtesy diplomatic driving permit. The permits are valid only for use in the UK and are valid for five years. However, whilst the permit is valid for five years, it may only be used in conjunction with a valid full foreign driving licence. This means both a valid diplomatic driving permit and a valid full foreign driving licence must be held at the same time to legally drive in the UK. Those driving without the requisite documentation may be subject to fixed penalty fines and points endorsements onto their diplomatic driving permit. Furthermore, driving without an appropriate licence automatically invalidates a person’s insurance, as such, an official driving without a valid licence may be considered to be driving without insurance, which is regarded as a serious offence. This may lead to the official’s diplomatic mission being included in the respective year’s published annual Written Ministerial Statement on serious offences.
Members of diplomatic or administrative staff who are British, dual British nationals, or have indefinite leave to remain are not entitled to a diplomatic driving permit.
Members of international organisations who enjoy privileges and immunity may apply for a diplomatic driving permit if they wish.
Applications for diplomatic driving permits can be made using the D442/1 form. Please see the attached letter from DVLA on how to obtain information booklet V772 ‘Diplomatic and Consular vehicle registrations and driver permits’.
DVLA Vehicle Registration Office
Specialist Registrations
DVLA
Swansea SA99 1DR
Tel: 0300 123 1347
Email: DAC@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
For further guidance on driving in the UK, who must exchange their national licence for a UK licence and the process involved, may be obtained from the following website: http://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence