South African with international driving permit looking for insurance as a named driver

You are allowed to use your african driving licence for 12 months after which you'll have to take the UK driving test. There shouldn't be any problems for you to get insurance cover on your current licence if you'll be staying here for at least a year. It's only when you come to the UK for a short visit that insurers refuse to provide cover.

Have you been refused insurance?

uhm hello!! that's not at all true!! you DO NOT NEED TO RESIT THE UK TEST!! YOU CONVERT to a uk licence for about £25

If you click on this link, you will see that what I said is true. You are only allowed to drive upto a year after which you will have to take the UK driving test under your circumstances. I should have provided the link to the official source in the first place to avoid confusion.

I was in the same boat, also south africa needing a uk license. YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE A UK TEST AGAIN!! Just get the form that you need to swap your SA one for ur UK one!! so efficient! the guy above has no idea! did it 2 months ago! no sweat!!!!

The link which I provided in my previous answer is from DirectGov's website and if you are a UK resident, you know that information provided on DirectGov is supposed to be accurate and up to date. If you can exchange your South African licence for a UK one, then it's even better but I find it hard to believe that DirectGov is showing incorrect information.

I swopped my South African licence for a British one about 18 months ago. Cost £50.00 and did not need to resit the test