Immigrationboards.com

Good Evening.

I am in UK since March 2010 on student permit. In June 2012 I went back to my home country and came back in July 2012 when I also got my refugee status.
As per DVLA requirements I can drive upto 12 months on International Driving Permit from the date I started living here as a resident if I am not wrong. Now my question is when my residence will start. March 2010 or July 2012? as previously I was on different visa and now I got different visa. My BRP card starts from July 2012. Please advise.

I have read on https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q417.htm?letter=D

A temporary visitor can drive in the UK for 12 months from your date of last entry into the country. This 12 month period starts again if you leave then re-enter this country.

If you are staying any longer, or become a resident, you should take the theory and practical tests before the expiry of the 12-month period. You should not drive after 12 months, if you do you are liable to prosecution.

"Student" and "visitor" are two different categories.
See Use the 'driving in GB' interactive tool

When was the IDP in question issued and how long is valid for?

March 2010. It doesn't matter that you left and came back unless you have been out of the country for 6 months which resets your residency for driving licence purposes.

Nabeel
You are classed as resident if you are free to remain in the UK without restrictions and would not include the previous temporary visit or when you were a student.
From what you have said this would be from July 2012.
If you have any doubts about your residency start date then you would need to contact the Immigration authorities which issued your permits.
Regards,

This is a reply I received from a question asked at askthepolice.co.uk

Along similar lines, my partner currently does not have UK driving license, she has only Indian.

Living in UK as WP dependent since Dec 2007, with no breaks.

Per the link above, 'driving in GB interactive tool', is she considered a resident at this stage, without ILR (applying Nov 12), or is she going to be classed as resident after ILR?

Does her 12 month allowance start on Dec 07 (currently classed as migrant worker dependent) or after ILR when she would be properly classed as resident ?

wpilr_nov12 wrote:Does her 12 month allowance start on Dec 07

Yes.