Exchanging EU licence for UK counterpart - win or lose?

[cpl_payne]

According to DVLA it's ok to drive in UK with a valid licence issued in another EU member state. I'm considering swapping mine for it's UK counterpart in hopes of saving a few pennies on insurance, however I'm concerned that in doing so I'd lose the record of driving experience - my current licence has been issued in 1996, but the UK one would be dated 2010. Does DVLA take it into consideration?

Can anyone shed any light on this? Am I right to suspect DVLA couldn't care less about it and that in doing so I'd effectively lose any advantage of having a UK licence?

I've read everything I could find on exchange process on the DVLA homepage and (unsurprisingly) haven't found an answer to this question.

Any help appreciated.

ETA - mods, if this belongs to Speed, Plod and Law section could you please move it? Wasn't sure which section to post in.

Edited by cpl_payne on Monday 26th April 09:49

[Quinten]

I had to exchange my NL license for an UK license a couple of years back (as they do not allow you to renew it if you're no longer living in the country it was issued at), and the license got my original passing date on it, so you do not need to worry about that. You do have to surrender the original license though.

[Amateurish]

You be liable for points on your UK licence if you get caught speeding whereas you wouldn't with an EU licence.

[randlemarcus]

Amateurish said:

You be liable for points on your UK licence if you get caught speeding whereas you wouldn't with an EU licence.

You're liable for points on a UK licence anyway. DVLA will hold a skeleton copy, and if you go over the 12, you're banned in the Uk regardless of what colour paper you have in your wallet.

OP - Do the UK insurers treat a 2010 issued UK licence as having 0 years experience anyway, thus negating the point?

[Quinten]

randlemarcus said:

Amateurish said:

You be liable for points on your UK licence if you get caught speeding whereas you wouldn't with an EU licence.

You're liable for points on a UK licence anyway. DVLA will hold a skeleton copy, and if you go over the 12, you're banned in the Uk regardless of what colour paper you have in your wallet.

OP - Do the UK insurers treat a 2010 issued UK licence as having 0 years experience anyway, thus negating the point?

They don't (and didn't) for me.

[mat205125]

If you are able to minimise the chances of the DVLA fking things up, and the consequential agony of being bounced from automoton to automoton on their phonelines, then do it.

Will the potential insurance savings really be that significant?

[cpl_payne]

mat205125 said:

...DVLA fking things up...

Will the potential insurance savings really be that significant?

The track record of DVLA (or any other bureaucracy) messing things up and the negligible savings are the two main points why I haven't done it yet. Surrendering the original licence doesn't bother me as it will be returned to the issuing authority so I'm not losing it completely and could have it re-issued if I return home.

I might not save much in premiums having a UK licence vs EU licence, but there are quite a few companies that won't insure EU licence holders, especially on classic policies. Since I tend to drive older cars (social only, no commuting) having a UK licence could be advantageous.

Oh, and thanks everyone for replying, I was worried for a bit this topic will sink to the bottom quickly.

[butch_]

DVLA says you have to exchange the licence after 3 years of becoming resident.

I've exchanged mine with no probs, but I was worried about sending my passport though the post. Fortunately, it didn't get lost in transit.

However, there was no decrease in insurance premium after the exchange.

[Amateurish]

butch_ said:

DVLA says you have to exchange the licence after 3 years of becoming resident.

No, it doesn't. It says three years or until you are 70, whichever is the longer.

[butch_]

Oops, my logic failed me.