I am 70, is a French licence valid in UK without taking medical test?

Reader question: I will be 70 years old, and if I still had my UK licence, I would have needed to renew it to drive in the UK. However, when I moved to France I switched it for a French one. Can I use this to drive in the UK past age 70? My French licence says ‘70’ on it.

This depends on whether you want to simply visit the UK – and use your French licence to drive when there – or if you plan to move back to the UK permanently.

Unlike in France, all UK licences expire when the holder reaches the age of 70.

After this date, they must be renewed every three years through the DVLA, although this is free of charge.

You need to declare if you have certain medical conditions when renewing the licence but there is no mandatory medical test you need to pass to renew it.

If you are visiting the UK

Post-Brexit negotiations mean valid EU driving licences are also valid for use in the UK.

This applies to those living in the UK as well as to those visiting on a short-term basis.

If you are visiting the UK for a temporary period - for under one year, and you do not have a main residency in the UK - you can drive on your foreign licence regardless of your age.

You may be driving a French-registered vehicle if you are only visiting, which will help show that you are a French resident even if you hold a UK passport).

You will need to make sure that you are insured to drive in the UK as your French policy may not cover you for driving outside of France.

If you have moved back to the UK

The rules are different if you move back to the UK on a permanent basis.

Usually it is possible to use a French or other EU driving licence until it expires or until you reach the age of 70. After this point, you must exchange it.

If you move after the age of 67 you can use an EU licence for three years before being obliged to switch.

You do not need to retake your driving test to (re)gain a UK driving licence however you will need to conform to UK driving rules after this date.

These require a renewal of the licence every three years.

You will also have to declare your medical conditions.

We note, however, that this UK government simulator states that if you originally passed your driving test in the UK you should apply to swap within the first 12 months of moving to the country.

Why is there a 70 on my licence?

You mention your French licence having the number 70 on the back. This is not related to age restrictions but is a code used to indicate the licence has been swapped from a foreign to a French licence.

The figures are followed by the foreign licence number and a country code for the issuing country.

You can read more about it below:

Read more: UK driving licence exchange: Why is there a 70 on my new French one?