DVLA driving licence change takes effect in August affecting thousands of drivers
The update, announced earlier this year and confirmed by the DVLA, means that from August 1, 2025, eligible drivers from Moldova who become residents in England, Scotland or Wales are able to apply to swap their car driving licence for a UK equivalent through a streamlined process, reports Express.co.uk.
The move follows a newly signed memorandum of understanding between the UK and the Republic of Moldova aimed at simplifying the recognition of driving qualifications between both countries.
READ MORE: Motorists issued urgent DVLA alert for driving on holiday in August
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join
The agreement was finalised last month by Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood and Moldovan Ambassador Ruslan Bolbocean.
According to government estimates, approximately 18,000 Moldovan nationals living in Great Britain stand to benefit from the changes.
Previously, Moldovan motorists would have been required to take a UK driving test in order to gain a British licence.
Under the fresh rules, this will no longer be necessary, provided applicants meet standard licensing criteria and are legally residing in Great Britain.
The DVLA has assessed Moldova's driver testing and licensing standards and confirmed they are equivalent to those in the UK.
A spokesperson said: 'We are satisfied that car licences issued in Moldova reflect a comparable level of driver competence and road safety understanding.
"No concerns have been identified that would compromise the safety of UK roads.'
The changes will not apply in Northern Ireland, where driver licensing is a devolved matter handled separately by the DVA.
In addition to making it easier for Moldovan nationals to drive legally in the UK, the agreement is reciprocal.
Moldovan authorities will now also accept UK-issued licences, including those held by Moldovan citizens who passed their driving tests while living in the UK.
The initiative is expected to improve mobility and reduce bureaucratic barriers for residents moving between the two countries, while maintaining high road safety standards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Drivers urged to fill up tanks with petrol and diesel this week
Drivers are being advised to refuel this week if possible, as scorching weather conditions make their comeback. Hot weather fizzled out in July but has returned this week, the forecast showing the temperature climbing to 31C on Tuesday and 28C on Wednesday, reports WalesOnline. The UKHSA has issued a yellow heat-health alert for parts of the UK this week, due to increased dangers for people, particularly those who are vulnerable, during these high temperatures. READ MORE: All the parts of England set for 33C heatwave with 19 counties roasted Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join However, motorists might be unaware that the ongoing heatwave presents an additional, surprising risk related to fuel consumption that could catch them out. This occurs because vehicles consume extra fuel in hot conditions, meaning your fuel gauge could become unreliable and fail to provide an accurate indication of remaining petrol or diesel. Specialists at said: "When it comes to topping up the petrol in your car, there are two kinds of people: those who refill as soon as the fuel tank gets to around 1/4 full, and those who are happy to drive around with the fuel warning light on. "The thing is, when the weather's nice and warm, your car's fuel levels drop a lot quicker than usual. "This means you can't rely on your normal estimations of how much time you have left before needing to fill up. "To avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, or stuck in a traffic jam on a sweltering day (both are nightmare scenarios), ensure you head to the petrol station well in advance. "It's simply not worth risking it if the sun is shining!" In the past, drivers have been warned against filling up their vehicles during hot weather due to fears of the car 'exploding' in the heat. However, this concern is unfounded and is actually a myth. Rod Dennis, spokesperson for the RAC, clarified: "There is no truth in this. "All fuel systems on passenger vehicles are designed to cope with any expansion of fuel, or vapour coming from the fuel. "There is no risk of explosion from filling up a fuel tank fully and drivers should have no concerns in doing so."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool closing in on agreement to sign World Cup winner
Liverpool are closing in on signing a world champion with an agreement on personal terms already in place. The club's sporting director, Richard Hughes, has done an excellent job this summer. But Liverpool are far from done. No, they are just about to end the summer transfer window with another bang. 🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range Shop the LFC Store 🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨 LFC x adidas Shop the away range TODAY LFC x adidas Shop the home range today! LFC x adidas Shop the goalkeeper range today LFC x adidas Shop the new adidas range today! The Reds caused mayhem earlier on in the window with a flurry of new signings that saw Florian Wirtz arrive for a club record fee, followed by Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. In between, around the middle of the window there was also the arrival of Hugo Ekitike, who looks to be a gem. And now they are set to be followed by three more arrivals, most notably Alexander Isak, who the Reds are still very keen on. He is not the only player sought after and who Liverpool are closing in on. 🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas away range Hughes also needs to address the centre-back department. At this moment in time, Arne Slot has just two available centre-backs with Joe Gomez out injured. In the event that either Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk get injured or suspended, he'd have to use Wataru Endo or Ryan Gravenberch as a back-up option. That's not a tenable position to be in. Which is why Richard Hughes is on the case to change that. Liverpool are working on signing Giovanni Leoni, who will be a replacement for Jarell Quansah. But they are also closing in on a deal for Marc Guehi.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gemfields Sells Fabergé to Tech Investor Sergei Mosunov for $50 Million
LONDON — Gemfields, a leading supplier of colored gemstones, has reached an agreement to sell the storied Russian jewelry brand Fabergé to SMG Capital LLC for $50 million. Some $45 million of the sum is payable to Gemfields by SMG Capital on completion of the sale by the end of August, while the remaining $5 million will go to Gemfields by way of quarterly royalty payments at a rate of 8 percent of Fabergé's revenue. More from WWD Antony Lindsay Named CEO of Fabergé Fabergé Launches 'Game of Thrones' High Jewelry Collection Russian Princess Wears Reem Acra Wedding Gown She Bought Herself The colored gemstones supplier bought Fabergé from from Pallinghurst Resources, in 2013 in a deal at the time that valued the maker of lavish bejeweled Easter eggs at $142 million. Gemfields said that by offloading Fabergé and other non-core holdings, it has become a more streamlined and focused company with a strengthened balance sheet. The fresh capital injection from the sale will help Gemfields fund a new processing plant at Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique, and expand emerald mining at Kagem in Zambia, which was suspended during the first quarter of 2025. Sean Gilbertson, group chief executive officer of Gemfields, and son of Brian Gilbertson, co-founder and former chairperson of Pallinghurst, said the sale of Fabergé marks the end of a considerably challenging trading environment, which the company began facing in the fourth quarter of 2024. Gemfields announced last December that it's considering selling Fabergé to cut costs. 'Fabergé has played a key role in raising the profile of the colored gemstones mined by Gemfields, and we will certainly miss its marketing leverage and star power. I extend our admiration and sincere thanks to the Fabergé team for their fortitude and the progress they have delivered over the years,' he added. SMG Capital is a U.S.-based investment company owned by the Russia-born, London-based tech investor Sergei Mosunov, whose interest spans from optics and photonics to AI, biotech and foundational models. Meanwhile, SMG Capital is dedicated to strategic investments in luxury brands and innovative businesses with strong heritage and global growth potential, the firm said. Mosunov is not entirely new to the world of fashion. In June, according to a LinkedIn post, he attended a panel talk hosted by networking platform Create What You Wish Existed between Stella McCartney and fellow Russian national Natalia Vodianova. 'It is a great honor for me to become the custodian of such an outstanding and globally recognized brand. Fabergé's unique heritage, with ties to Russia, England, France and the U.S., opens significant opportunities for further strengthening its position in the global luxury market and expanding its international presence,' said Mosunov. The tech investor said the brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories and timepieces, and provide service to Fabergé's existing retail and wholesale customers. 'We thank the Gemfields team for their contribution to the development of Fabergé and look forward to working closely with the brand's talented team. As Carl Fabergé said: 'There is no point in gems if you cannot turn them into a story.' We feel a deep sense of responsibility and incredible inspiration for the work ahead,' Mosunov added. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: Sean Combs Regains Control of Sean John Brand Isabel Marant Said in Play Again: Sources Holding Industriale Invests in Shoe Specialist Valmor
