To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport for what reason holders of non-UK driving licences who have taken and failed a UK driving test are permitted to drive in the UK on a non-UK licence for up to 12 months following their arrival in the UK. (279049)

Holders of non-UK driving licences may continue to drive in the UK for up to 12 months to build experience of traffic conditions and laws in Britain.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many holders of non-UK driving licences have taken the UK driving test in each of the last 10 years; and how many have failed the test. (279050)

Provisional entitlement for the relevant category of vehicle is required before a UK driving test can be taken. Holders of non-UK licences must obtain a UK licence in order to obtain the necessary provisional entitlement.

EU member state licence holders who hold a valid EU licence who wish to obtain further licence categories may obtain a UK counterpart document, which gives the provisional entitlement that allows the holder to take a test in that category.

The Driving Standards Agency does not hold details of previous licences held by driving test candidates.