In short
- In Europe a foreign licence works only for a while after you become resident (6 months in Spain, a year in France and Italy, 12 months in Malta); then you exchange it or take the local test.
- UK licences can be exchanged in all 7 countries below except Greece; US licences only in France (18 states), Greece and Portugal.
- Canadian licences: France (8 provinces), Ireland (7), Greece and Portugal; Australian: France, Greece, Ireland, Malta and Portugal.
- Portugal is the most open, but its no-exchange rule stops at age 60: most retirees exchange, without tests.
This guide answers one question for the European countries where we checked the official list: can I exchange my licence, or must I pass the local driving test? EU licences are recognised across the EU and are not covered here. Each answer comes from the transport ministry or licensing agency of the country. means checked on that official source on 25 October 2026. Rules change when agreements expire, so check the official page before you move.
1. The rule everywhere: a grace period, then exchange or test
Once you become resident, a licence from outside the EU only works for a limited time. After that you must either exchange it for a local licence (possible only if your country, or your US state or Canadian province, has an agreement), or take the local theory and driving tests. Exchange in time: in several countries it is no longer possible after a deadline.
2. Country by country
| Country | Grace period after residence | US | UK | Canada | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal 1 | Under 60 (licence issued or renewed in the last 15 years): keep using it. Otherwise exchange. | Exchange, no tests | Exchange, no tests | Exchange, no tests | Exchange, no tests | Exchange, no tests |
| Spain 2 | 6 months | Test | Exchange | Test | Test | Exchange |
| France 3 | 1 year (apply for the exchange within it) | Exchange from 18 states only (see below), otherwise test | Exchange | Exchange from 8 provinces (see below) | Exchange (cars and motorcycles) | Exchange |
| Italy 4 | 1 year, with an international permit or official translation | Test (diplomats only) | Exchange (agreement until 30 March 2028) | Test (diplomats only) | Test | Test |
| Greece 5 | Resident 185 days before applying | Exchange | Not on the list: check | Exchange | Exchange | Not on the list: check |
| Malta 6 | 12 months from your last entry; 185 days of residence to exchange | Test | Exchange | Test | Exchange | Test |
| Ireland 7 | Exchange through the NDLS | Test | Exchange | Exchange from 7 provinces (see below) | Exchange | Exchange |
"Test" means the country has no exchange agreement with yours: you take the local theory and practical tests, often with a few lessons at a local driving school first.
France, US states that can be exchanged (ministry list of May 2026) 3: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin (some for cars only). California and New York are not on the list.
France, Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec (cars) 3. Ireland, Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Saskatchewan 7.
3. Practical tips
- Bring your original licence: every exchange keeps it (it is returned to the country that issued it), so keep a copy, and an international driving permit for trips home.
- Exchange before the grace period ends: after it you may have to take the tests even where an agreement exists.
- Age checks: several countries ask older drivers for a medical certificate at exchange or renewal (Portugal asks for a medical and psychological check).
- Outside Europe: Mexico, Thailand and our other destinations have their own rules: see the Everyday setup part of each country's settling plan.
Sources
| Ref | Source | URL | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMT (Portugal): licences from OECD and CPLP countries, Decree-Law 46/2022 | imt-ip.pt | official |
| S2 | DGT (Spain): exchanging foreign licences, list of countries with an agreement | sede.dgt.gob.es | official |
| S3 | French Ministry of the Interior: licences exchangeable outside the EU/EEA, list at 1 May 2026 | diplomatie.gouv.fr | official |
| S4 | Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti (Italy): converting a foreign licence | mit.gov.it | official |
| S5 | Mitos (Greece): converting a licence from the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea | en.mitos.gov.gr | official |
| S6 | Transport Malta: exchange your foreign driving licence | transport.gov.mt | official |
| S7 | Citizens Information (Ireland): foreign driving licences | citizensinformation.ie | official |