License fairly tattered - need to get a new one?

FrankGrimes

My driving license is very very worn and tattered at the moment but it is still in one piece and still legible. A gardai at a checkpoint looked at it the other day and said 'you wouldn't think about getting this replaced would ya?' but was more passing remark than telling me I had to replace it.

I'll be hiring a car in the US in mid-November so don't want any hassle with that.

Do I need to get a new license and where should I go (online preferrably) if so?

Run_to_da_hills

This is another rip off by the DOE, its e5 to replace and it is your fault if it falls apart. Us Bikers must carry it at all times even in the pis**ing rain when water finds its way into your pockets. I go through one of these on average every two years when they turn to pulp. A tatty license won't get you passed check in on a Ryanair flight if you are travelling to the UK.

h3000

I had mine replaced last year.
There is no easy way of doing it online (if at all). Your best bet is to go to your local motor tax office and fill out the D401 form. You will need two passport photos and I think €5 and your old tattered license. The should give you a replacement there and then.

More info here.

Ferris

Sorry if this is off topic but the current design of licence is a disgrace, its humiliating handing it over in other countries.

Is there any plan to replace it for something that is more durable and can fit in your wallet?

FrankGrimes

Cheers for the info and yeh I couldn't agree more about the design being a joke...but where's the incentive for them to address that when they're getting a tidy bit of income from suckers like me having to replace it?

To be honest, it's the hassle of having to go to the motor tax offce that p1sses me off more than the fee.

Run_to_da_hills

Ferris wrote: »

Sorry if this is off topic but the current design of licence is a disgrace, its humiliating handing it over in other countries.

Is there any plan to replace it for something that is more durable and can fit in your wallet?

It is a joke and was designed before computers, colour laser printers and laminators could be bought in your average supermarket. Im surprised that it is still accepted by Ryanair and Aer lingus.

The authorities are holding off on anything new at the moment because it will take up to 10 years to filter through the system. I guess the next one will be incorporated into the National ID.

Darragh29

FrankGrimes wrote: »

My driving license is very very worn and tattered at the moment but it is still in one piece and still legible. A gardai at a checkpoint looked at it the other day and said 'you wouldn't think about getting this replaced would ya?' but was more passing remark than telling me I had to replace it.

I'll be hiring a car in the US in mid-November so don't want any hassle with that.

Do I need to get a new license and where should I go (online preferrably) if so?

My dog took mine off the dashboard and made sh*te of it recently! I have to get a new one...

Jip

Mines in bits, just about stuck together in one piece, most of the text worn off the outside and a little square piece behind the photo has fallen off so you could take the photo out if you wanted. Always a little aprehensive when using it to rent cars but I've had no comments from anywhere about it yet.

craichoe

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It is a joke and was designed before computers, colour laser printers and laminators could be bought in your average supermarket. Im surprised that it is still accepted by Ryanair and Aer lingus.

The authorities are holding off on anything new at the moment because it will take up to 10 years to filter through the system. I guess the next one will be incorporated into the National ID.

Its actually quite hard to copy a traditional paper license and has similar security measures to currency.

Same as the old Dutch License



But i think the EU are pushing for this type:



Much better .. and you an keep it in your wallet.

Ferris

craichoe wrote: »

But i think the EU are pushing for this type:



Much better .. and you an keep it in your wallet.

That would be so much better, I hope that they get off their arses and do it sooner rather than later.

Rovi

Darragh29 wrote: »

My dog took mine off the dashboard and made sh*te of it recently! I have to get a new one...

As in 'chewed/tore it up', or 'ate it and it came out the other end'?

If it was the latter, that mightn't be the best thing to be lobbing across the counter in your local Motor Taxation Office

Run_to_da_hills

craichoe wrote: »

But i think the EU are pushing for this type.

Yes but with an E_tag in it.

I was once cautioned by cop for using a license as an address book, I had a couple of phone numbers written in the endorsement section

Gary ITR

FrankGrimes wrote: »

they're getting a tidy bit of income from suckers like me having to replace it?

In all fairness I wouldn't think the €5 would even cover the cost of printing and laminating the license.

cormac_byrne

FrankGrimes wrote: »

To be honest, it's the hassle of having to go to the motor tax offce that p1sses me off more than the fee.

request a form online as mentioned above, then post it to the tax office if it's not convenient to call in. They will post out your new licence.

Betsie_xr3i

this is slightly off topic too but my address on my licience is wrong well its an old address, shoould i have that changed as i dont even live in the same county any more

Gregor Samsa

Ferris wrote: »

That would be so much better, I hope that they get off their arses and do it sooner rather than later.

EU driving licence harmonisation, with a credit card-style licence, is due to begin in 2013:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6180617.stm

Run_to_da_hills

Betsie_xr3i wrote: »

this is slightly off topic too but my address on my licience is wrong well its an old address, shoould i have that changed as i dont even live in the same county any more

You are supposed to inform them immediatly. You surrender your old tatty license and get a brand new one free with your new address

Gregor Samsa

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

You are supposed to inform them immediatly.

There's actually no legal requirement to keep the address on your licence correct or current:

While you are not required by law to change your driving licence if you change address, it is advisable nonetheless. Contact your Motor Tax Office for more information (see 'Where to Apply' below). Exchanging your driving licence to amend the address is a free service.

Source: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/travel-and-recreation/motoring-1/driver-licensing/full_driving_licence

Betsie_xr3i

thanks for the info lads

fitzgese

If I still have my old tattered license, is there any need to get form D8 A signed at a Garda station, can I just go directly to the local Motor Tax Office and fill out form D401? I take it you only need to fill out form D8 A if you have actually lost your driving license?
Thanks.

itarumaa

Is full Irish licence still a paper one?

I was thinking to change my Finnish one but I am not too interested to get a paper licence, plastic is the way to go.

I have had plastic one (like in the picture) since 1996, but it is quite worn out now.

towel401

Why bother with the credit card style license?

they should just skip over that phase and move to sim card sized licenses

Del2005

towel401 wrote: »

Why bother with the credit card style license?

they should just skip over that phase and move to sim card sized licenses

You must have great eyesight to be able to read all the required info off a card the size of a SIM.

But they will more then likely have some form of RFID tag in the licence so it can be used as an ID card.

Run_to_da_hills

Del2005 wrote: »

But they will more then likely have some form of RFID tag in the licence so it can be used as an ID card.

:eek:

eringobragh

Del2005 wrote: »

You must have great eyesight to be able to read all the required info off a card the size of a SIM.

But they will more then likely have some form of RFID tag in the licence so it can be used as an ID card.

Hearsay I reckon . but i've it takes drivers with forged licences off the road so beit. RFID can be cloned wuite easy anyways.

Duiske

Onkle wrote: »

In all fairness I wouldn't think the €5 would even cover the cost of printing and laminating the license.

Had to get a replacement 2 weeks ago in Kilkenny, and found that the charge was €10, even though the form I had stamped by the Gardai stated €5.

Run_to_da_hills

Duiske wrote: »

Had to get a replacement 2 weeks ago in Kilkenny, and found that the charge was €10, even though the form I had stamped by the Gardai stated €5.

It will probably be raised to e20 in the budget.

BonnieSituation

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

This is another rip off by the DOE, its e5 to replace and it is your fault if it falls apart. Us Bikers must carry it at all times even in the pis**ing rain when water finds its way into your pockets. I go through one of these on average every two years when they turn to pulp. A tatty license won't get you passed check in on a Ryanair flight if you are travelling to the UK.

So do us drivers!

Run_to_da_hills

BonnieSituation wrote: »

So do us drivers!

At least you drivers can keep it dry at all times.

BonnieSituation

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

At least you drivers can keep it dry at all times.

Put it ihn a small ziplock bag.

To be honest. Mine stays in my wallet all the time. Handiest place for it. It is getting ruined though.

A new passport is more of a priority. I can take out my photo with a tweezers! :O

Run_to_da_hills

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Put it ihn a small ziplock bag.

To be honest. Mine stays in my wallet all the time. Handiest place for it. It is getting ruined though.

A new passport is more of a priority. I can take out my photo with a tweezers! :O

Makes no odds. Weather and wear and tear will eventually see the end of it, lucky to see two years out of them.