We often provide certified translations of No Claims Bonus certificates for clients who are moving to the UK. Often these translations are required urgently, so we have written a brief guide to make the process as smooth and as quick as possible.

Part I covers the requirements to drive in the UK and Part II details the process of translating your No Claims Bonus certificate, also known as a Claims Statement or a Bonus/Malus Coefficient.

PART I: DRIVING IN THE UK

Before you proceed with the translation, it is advisable to check that you meet the requirements for driving in the UK.

Requirements:

As noted on the DirectGov website, all drivers must comply with British minimum age requirements: 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 21 years for large lorries and buses.

Community Licences:

If you hold a community licence - a driving licence from the European Community or the European Economic Area - this will enable you to drive a car in the UK for a maximum of one year as a visitor, or for one year after becoming a resident.

A community licence which was issued on the strength of a licence from a designated country is valid for 12 months in the UK and can be exchanged for a British licence. There are 15 designated countries:

Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

A community licence issued on the basis of a licence from a non-designated country is valid for 12 months, however if cannot be exchanged for a British licence. If you hold a licence for a country outside of the EU or EEC, which was issued on the strength of a community licence, this will only be valid for 12 months however, you will need to provide evidence of your original entitlement to a community licence.

For a full list of the countries this covers and for details on driving lorries or buses, please visit DirectGov.

Registering your community licence:

You will need to register your community licence with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

In order to drive after the 12 month period, you will need to apply for a UK driving licence.

Obtaining a UK driving licence:

If you would prefer to have a UK driving licence, you will have to apply for a GB counterpart licence or exchange your community licence. This will give you provisional licence rights. You will then be able to take a British driving test.

Please note that you will need to have been a resident in the UK for at least 185 days in the 12 months before you make your application for a driving test.

For more information specific to your needs, you can use the ‘Driving in GB’ tool.

International Drivers License Information: Car Insurance for a UK Non Resident.

Direct.gov.uk: Driving in GB on a foreign Licence