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Colombian driving license in the UK

Does anyone know if the Colombian driving license is valid in the UK?
I have used it in the US (Atlanta) to rent a car and they accepted it, no questions asked.
I also know that a Colombian driving license can be "exchanged" for a Spanish driving license without much of a hassle and without taking the exams.
Does anyone know if I can drive with m Colombian license in the UK? Can I "exchange" it for a UK driving license?

By viajero123 on Jun 10, 2008, 07:21 in Visa & paperwork.

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 10, 2008, 07:56:

last time i heard it was valid only for one year.

to exchange it for a UK one you have to take the two test, the practical and the written one.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 10, 2008, 07:59:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAFor...

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kalder says on Jun 10, 2008, 08:02:

Kat's right. The Colombian licence is only valid for 12 months. Then you have to get a UK one.

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 10, 2008, 16:46:

What is the price of this test?
The website is very good, but it talks about a list of designated countries and I do not seem to be able to find. Is Colombia part of those designated countries?

"If you hold a driving licence from a designated country you may apply to exchange this for a British one up to five years after becoming a resident here. If you do not hold a licence, or your licence was not issued in a designated country, you will need to apply for a provisional licence and then pass a driving test. You will be able to take a test and obtain a full licence once you have been in GB for six months."

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kalder says on Jun 11, 2008, 00:38:

The designated countries are: 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.

And of course, licences from fellow EU states are as valid as a UK licence.

The Theory Test is (I think) about £35 and the Practical about £45

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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cedritos says on Jun 11, 2008, 04:51:

theory test costs £30
practical costs £56.50 (week day), £67.00 (weekend)
the licence (provisonal) cost £50 [costs nothing to update]

An international driving licence will allow you to drive hire cars but will not let you drive on a friend's insurance (you normally need an EU licence for that)

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