Driving and public transport: Homes for Ukraine
The legal requirements for getting your driving licence, and how public transport works in the UK.
Applies to Northern Ireland
This guidance is for England, Wales and Scotland.
To drive in Northern Ireland, you will need to follow this guidance.
Driving
To drive in the UK you must have:
- A valid, full driving licence (not a learner’s licence)
- up to date motor (car) insurance
You should also read about the legal obligations of drivers.
If your current licence is valid, you can drive for 3 years in the UK using your Ukraine driving licence. You can use this licence to drive small vehicles like:
- motorcycles
- cars
- vehicles that weight up to 3500kg or with 8 passenger seats
To continue to drive after 3 years you need to:
- exchange your Ukraine driving licence for a UK licence (there is a fee to do this)
If you passed your test in Ukraine before 28 December 2021, you can exchange your licence to drive an automatic vehicle only. This is because the driving licence authority in Ukraine did not keep details about the type of vehicle a test was taken in before this date.
Exchange your driving licence (England, Wales and Scotland)
You can find out if you can exchange your licence and what you need to do.
You need to intend to live in the UK for at least 185 days each calendar year (about 6 months).
You should be able to exchange your driving licence if you took your driving test in a country that has an exchange agreement with the UK.
Countries that have an exchange agreement with the England, Wales and Scotland:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Zimbabwe
Licences from any EU/EEA country can also be exchanged.
You can exchange your licence up to 5 years after you arrived in the UK, if it is still valid.
Apply for a provisional licence
To apply for a provisional driving licence, you need to complete a D1 application form from either a Post Office or from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Send it with your supporting documents which include proof of identity and proof that you live in the UK. Read the full list of documents that the DVLA will accept, to confirm your identity and residency status in the UK.
If the document(s) you send are not in English, you will need to send a translation. It must be:
- issued in the UK
- signed by an official translator belonging to:
- the Institute of Linguists
- the Institute of Translation & Interpreting
- a translator who is employed by a recognised translation company
- a member of the Association of Translation Companies
If you took your driving test in a country other than Ukraine, different rules may apply.
Public transport
Buses
Buses are available in towns, cities and some rural areas of the UK. Buses are less frequent or do not operate in some parts of the countryside, so you may need to look at other transport options to get around.
Each local area will have buses operated by a local bus company. You can find your local bus company.
Some buses now accept contactless payment (when you tap your bank card on the ticket machine) but be prepared to have cash ready to pay. You may be able to buy a weekly or monthly pass to use the bus, which can sometimes be cheaper. You will need to find out more from your local bus company.
Trains
You must always have a valid ticket to travel by train. You can buy it from either:
- a ticket office at the station
- a ticket machine at the station
- on the train if you could not buy it before you got on the train
- online before you travel
Tickets are usually much cheaper if you buy them before you travel. You can find out more information on the national rail website.
There are also railcards available for discounted travel on the national rail network:
- 16-17 Saver
- 16-25 Railcard
- 26-30 Railcard
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Family & Friends Railcard
- Network Railcard
- Senior Railcard
- Two Together Railcard
With most railcards you can save a third of the cost of travel.
You don’t need to show any identification to travel in the UK unless you are travelling by plane.
Season tickets
For most train companies you can buy a season ticket, which is helpful if you have a daily commute to work. You can buy tickets for:
- 7 days
- a month
- a year
You can often save money on the cost of buying tickets every day, and they allow unlimited travel between stations.
Trams
Some cities have trams that can take you to different parts of the city. Like buses and trains, you will either need to buy a ticket before you get on, or as you get on.
Jobcentre Plus travel discount card
This is for anyone claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3 to 9 months (or 18 to 24-year-olds) or 3 to 12 months (over 25s).
You can apply for this through your Job Centre Work Coach and local Jobcentre Plus. Contact your nearest Jobcentre for more information.
Last updated 13 September 2023 + show all updates
-
Updated to reflect that people from Ukraine can drive in the UK without exchanging their Ukrainian driving licence for up to three years after becoming a resident.
-
Added translation