hgv transfer

can u transfer ur hgv to another country if yes which ones?? :smiley:

No problem driving/living in another EU state but need to exchange licence within 12 months of residency. I don’t believe it’s transferable to Canada/USA which is the normal query that comes up.

Hope this helps, but suggest you put a specific question into google and see what you get.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

Peter Smythe:
No problem driving/living in another EU state but need to exchange licence within 12 months of residency. I don’t believe it’s transferable to Canada/USA which is the normal query that comes up.

Hope this helps, but suggest you put a specific question into google and see what you get.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

Any idea about Australia Peter?

Peter Smythe:
No problem driving/living in another EU state but need to exchange licence within 12 months of residency.

Depends on the EU country. In France for example you don’t need to exchange your licence all the time it remains valid, ie until a category expiry date or the date that your photocard expires.

I think I am right in saying that in all non EU countries the heavy goods entitlement is non transferrable

I’m sure that it’s non transferable for Australia. As ROG said, it’s ok within EU. After that, I don’t know any exceptions that allow a transfer.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

For Australia the bigger problem will be getting a visa, not converting the licence. They do not currently have HGV driver on their skill shortage list. I expect you’ll have to do some tests to convert but I don’t know how extensive. In New Zealand, for example, I understand it might be only a written multiple choice test (but again you might struggle with visa right now).

Check out the ex-pats forum for more information on non-European driving.

Héraultais:

Peter Smythe:
No problem driving/living in another EU state but need to exchange licence within 12 months of residency.

Depends on the EU country. In France for example you don’t need to exchange your licence all the time it remains valid, ie until a category expiry date or the date that your photocard expires.

Doesn’t depend on EU country. All EU member states mutually recognise EU driving licences, both non-vocational and vocational. They are valid until the expiry date of the category in question. For a HGV photocard, that could be up to ten years* (if medicals don’t get in the way first). Member states may ask non-national licence holders to register their details with them (e.g. UK asks other EU vocational licence holders resident in the UK to register for a counterpart**), but there is no need or compulsion to exchange the actual licence until the thing expires.

Edit to add:
*The UK works it’s photocards on a ten-year validity period. Some member states have 15 year validity periods.
**Gov.uk : gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence , for an EU vocational licence holder resident in GB:

You can drive in Great Britain on your full, valid licence until you’re 45, or for 5 years after you become resident in Great Britain, whichever is longer
If you’re over 45 but under 65 you can drive for 5 years or until you are 66, whichever is shorter.
! You must register your details with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) within 12 months of becoming resident.

(The above quote assumes that the licence in question hasn’t expired in the meantime.)