New certificate model for exchanging Moldovan driving licenses in United Kingdom

The Public Services Agency (ASP) has launched a new model of Certificate of Entitlement in English necessary for citizens of the Republic of Moldova residing in the United Kingdom, who are requesting the exchange of their Moldovan category B driving license for a British one. The document has been adjusted to meet the requirements of the British authorities, to eliminate problems previously reported by applicants.

According to the ASP, the certificate can be obtained from the territorial subdivisions of the institution or from the Department of Vehicle Registration and Driver Qualification in Chișinău. It must be included in the file that applicants send to the British Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - DVLA.

Authorities note that files already sent to the DVLA will be examined without the presentation of the new model certificate. In these cases, the DVLA will directly request ASP verification of the Moldovan license, according to the Moldovan-British Memorandum of Understanding.

The decision to update the document was made following discussions between ASP, the Moldovan Embassy in London and the DVLA, after several citizens reported that the old model was no longer accepted by the British authorities.


“To request the document in Moldova, the following are necessary: an identity document; a standard application form; proof of fee payment (including through Mpay); a power of attorney if another person is collecting the certificate on behalf of the applicant. For those in the United Kingdom, the certificate can be obtained through a power of attorney issued at the Embassy of Moldova in London (in emergency cases, by email at consul.london@mfa.gov.md); electronic authorization through MPower if the applicant has a qualified electronic signature; obtaining an Identity Card at the embassy for the subsequent use of electronic services. Complete instructions for obtaining the document are available on the Agency’s website,” explains ASP.


As of 1 August 2025, Moldovan citizens residing in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland can exchange their Moldovan category B license for a British one without additional exams, based on the bilateral agreement signed between the Republic of Moldova and the Government of the United Kingdom. Moldovans who work or intend to work in the Kingdom; Moldovan students; British citizens temporarily or permanently settled in the Republic of Moldova can apply.

The new Certificate model aims to simplify the procedure for thousands of Moldovan citizens in the United Kingdom, ensuring complete alignment with the norms applied by the DVLA.