The legal ins and outs of driving explained
Can I drive on a non-UK driving licence?
AS a rule of thumb, everyone is entitled to drive according to the validity of their home country’s licence for 12 months from when they became a resident in the UK. There are different requirements after that initial period, depending on which country issued your driving licence.
If you hold a licence issued in the European Union, you are able to drive in the UK without needing to change your licence or pass any form of further driving test. You are entitled to exchange it for a UK licence if you wish.
If your licence was issued by a country outside the EU, your eligibility to drive in the UK depends on where you passed your test. If you came from a country that has an agreement in place with Britain, you can apply to have your licence exchanged without having to pass any further tests.
For countries without an agreement, you’ll need to apply for a British provisional licence after your initial 12 months are up, become a learner again and pass the theory and practical tests to continue driving in the UK.
How do I reject a car?
REJECTING a car should be a last resort, once you’ve pursued all other avenues of getting the vehicle fixed. The first thing you should do if you have a problem is contact the dealership where you bought the car and take it in for an inspection.
If the dealer is unable to rectify the issues or they refuse to help, then it’s time to use the Consumer Rights Act and apply for car rejection. Bear in mind that private sales and auctions are not covered by the act.
There are then certain steps that you have to take when rejecting a car. The first one is to stop using the vehicle, or you will severely weaken your case.
Then write to the supplying dealer, giving your reasons for rejection. This should be within the first six months of ownership and outline the case so far. If you bought the car on finance, you’ll need to contact the finance company directly with a letter of rejection. They’ll then be involved in the process, along with the dealer.
If the dealer refuses to accept your rejection, contact the car maker’s customer-care department for further support. If you’re still getting nowhere, then consider contacting the Motor Ombudsman on 0345 241 3008 or the Financial Ombudsman on 0800 023 4567.
If the car is older than six months, you’ll need to prove the vehicle was faulty when it was sold. This might need you to commission an
