Exchange to a UK Driver’s Licence

HOW TO EXCHANGE A CAYMAN ISLANDS DRIVER’S LICENCE
You can continue to drive in the UK without exchanging your Cayman Islands driver’s licence for 12 months after becoming resident.

After 12 months you must exchange your Cayman Islands driver’s licence to keep driving. You can exchange it up to 5 years after becoming resident if your Cayman Islands driver’s licence has not expired. Please note, this is a full exchange of licence and your Cayman Islands driver’s licence will be relinquished.

“Holders of driving licences issued outside of the European Union who become resident in Great Britain can drive small vehicles (motorcars and motorcycles) for up to 12 months from the date they become resident. After this period those who have made an application to exchange their licence for a UK licence may be entitled to drive under section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 while they are waiting to receive their UK licence.”

More information can be found by searching “INF188” on www.gov.uk  – A guide to the rules for driving while waiting for your licence – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla

Step by Step instructions:

• Collect UK Driving Licence (Exchange) Application Form D1 from local post office or order the D1 form from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) at https://www.gov.uk/dvlaforms
• Complete the D1 Form in its entirety
• Meanwhile, contact the Cayman Islands Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing to request a Letter of Entitlement
  • Email the Customer Support Unit at:
    
    • DVDLExamBookings@gov.ky  
    • DVDL.Helpdesk@gov.ky
  • Subject line should read: LETTER OF ENTITLEMENT (UK)
  • Expect a reply from CI DVDLs Customer Support Unit with further instructions
  • Cost of the Letter of Entitlement is CI$75.00
  • Application process time will be 3 – 5 business days
  • Letter of Entitlement will be emailed (PDF format) back to you 

• Submit the completed UK Driving Licence (Exchange) Application Form D1 to the address on the form with:
  • £43 fee – Payment should be made by cheque or postal order only, payable to DVLA Swansea. 
  • Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence (must be a valid driver’s licence) [being relinquished]
  • Cayman Islands Letter of Entitlement
  • Please note, applicants are not provided with confirmation from UK DVLA that the application has been received.

• You should be in receipt of your British Licence within 3 weeks – your British Licence will be for an automatic vehicle only.
• Should you wish to upgrade to a standard/manual vehicle, you will need to take the UK DVLA’s practical driving exam – please see more information here – https://www.gov.uk/automatic-driving-licence-to-manual .

Visiting the Cayman Islands after fully exchanging for a British Driving Licence:

• You can drive in the Cayman Islands on your valid British Driving Licence for up to 12 months 

Visiting the Cayman Islands after fully exchanging for a British Driving Licence:

• You can drive in the Cayman Islands on your valid British Driving Licence for up to 12 months 

Should you choose to re-locate back to the Cayman Islands:

• You will be able to renew your Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence, however, the only condition is as follows:
  • The Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence hasn’t expired for a period longer than the previous renewal period. 
  • For example, if your Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence was renewed as usual for a 10 year period, you then moved to the UK and exchanged for a British Driving Licence, but after some considerable time has passed, you decide to move back to Cayman – if your Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence has not been expired for a period of MORE THAN 10 years, you will be able to simply renew. If it has been expired for more than 10 years, you will have to go through the entire testing process (written and practical exams).
  • Another example, if your Cayman Islands Driver’s Licence was renewed as usual for a period of 5 years, the rule would be the same, it cannot be expired for more than 5 years for you to simply renew as normal.