Exchanging foreign licence for British, can I still drive?

I am a UK citizen and recently returned resident. My foreign driving licence expires soon. I applied to the DVLA for a new licence six weeks ago but have heard nothing. Am I allowed to drive while awaiting a response to my application or will it invalidate my insurance, which is extremely expensive because of my foreign licence? I own my own car and have been back in Britain for the requisite 183 days to satisfy residency. I am over 70.

Asked on 5 January 2022 by Ann Baldwin

Answered by Sarah Tooze
In most circumstances you can continue to drive while the DVLA is processing your driving licence, you can find full guidance on this here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upload...f

Typically you would wait six to 10 weeks to exchange a foreign licence but the DVLA is experiencing long processing times for paper applications at the moment, see: www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-upda...s
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