Exchanging a UK Driving Licence for an Argentine One: The Practical Process

Your UK driving licence allows you to drive in Argentina for 90 days from the date stamped in your passport at entry. After that, Argentine law requires you to hold a Licencia Nacional de Conducir. Most British expats postpone this until they realise that their car insurance may not cover an accident if they are driving on an expired foreign licence.

The exchange process

For related context, see Driving in Argentina with a UK Licence: What You Need to Know.

Argentina does not have a direct "exchange" system like some European countries. You apply for a new Argentine licence, but your UK licence experience reduces the requirements:

1. Apply at your local municipality

Driving licences in Argentina are issued by municipal governments, not a national authority (there is no Argentine DVLA). You apply at the licencia department of the municipality where you are registered as a resident.

• CABA (Buenos Aires City): Dirección General de Licencias
• Province municipalities: each partido has its own office

2. Documents needed

• DNI argentino or residencia precaria
• UK driving licence (original)
• CUIL
• Proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)
• Blood type certificate (done at any local lab, ARS 5,000-10,000)

3. Exams

Eye test / psicophysical exam: done at a designated medical centre. Tests vision, hearing, basic reflexes, and coordination. Cost: ARS 10,000-25,000. Takes 30-60 minutes.

Theory exam: multiple choice, covering Argentine traffic rules, signs, and priority rules. Available in Spanish (some centres offer English). 30-40 questions, pass rate 70%. Study material is available online from each municipality.

Practical exam: here is where the UK licence helps. Most municipalities exempt experienced foreign licence holders from the full practical test. You may face a short manoeuvring test (parking, U-turn) but not the full road drive. Some municipalities waive the practical entirely if your UK licence has 5+ years of history.

4. Licence issue

If you pass everything, the licence is issued the same day at major centres (CABA, La Plata, Mar del Plata) or within 1 week at smaller offices. It is a credit-card-sized plastic licence with your photo, valid for 5 years.

Cost total: ARS 35,000-80,000 depending on municipality and category.

What you cannot keep

Argentina does not surrender your UK licence during the exchange process. You keep your UK licence and receive an Argentine licence separately. Both remain valid in their respective countries.

However, the UK DVLA does not transfer Argentine driving history back to the UK. Your UK No Claims Discount for car insurance does not carry over either.

Insurance implications

This is the critical practical point: Argentine car insurance policies typically require the driver to hold a valid licence recognised in Argentina. After 90 days on a UK tourist entry, your UK licence is no longer recognised for driving purposes. If you have an accident after that point:

• Your insurance company may deny the claim
• You may be found personally liable for all damages (civil liability in Argentina is adjudicated by courts and can be expensive)
• Traffic police can fine you for driving without a valid licence

The ARS 50,000-80,000 cost of getting an Argentine licence is trivial compared to the risk of an uninsured accident.

Not legal advice. Municipal processes vary. Contact your local licencias office for current requirements.

Worth reading next

• Driving in Argentina with a UK Licence: What You Need to Know
• Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires as a British Expat: Schools, Apps and Honest Timelines
• Healthcare in Argentina for UK Expats: What Replaces the NHS