Can i drive in ireland using an international driving licence?

sambkk

Hi,

I have a question about a driving licence.
Can i drive in ireland using an international driving licence obtained from Thailand (I am a full time student)?
I live outside the city center,so would like to have a car to drive around in. Would it be a problem to hold an international licence to drive in Ireland?
If i have my own car, can I get car insurance here in Ireland with an international driving licence and a Thai licence?
which one is the best way for me?
Also if i wish to apply for an Irish driving licence,What should i do? Would it be possible?


Thank in advance!

biko

You can drive here if you have a valid licence from your own country. An international licence only translates/clarifies you own licence, it is not a licence itself.
With a valid licence you can insure/tax/etcetera just like an Irish citizen.

You can convert your licence, see here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/travel-and-recreation/motoring-1/driver-licensing/exchanging_foreign_driving_permit

Del2005

Don't think so. Thailand isn't a regonised country according to the RSA.

Exchange of Driving Licence
Mutual Recognition
The holder of a driving licence issued by the competent authority of another member state of the European Union or of the European Economic Area (i.e. EU + Norway, Liechenstein and Iceland) may drive in Ireland on that licence for the duration of its validity. However, if you wish, you may apply for exchange to an equivalent Irish licence. Application for exchange must be made within ten years of expiry of the licence.
Recognised States
Australia, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Guernsey have been designated as recognised states for the purposes of Driving Licence Exchange along with those of the European Union and the European Economic Area. Upon taking up normal residence in the state the holder of a driving licence issued by the competent authority of one of these countries may drive here on that licence until the expiry of
(i) the period for which such licence has effect or
(ii) one year from the date of taking up such residence,
whichever first occurs.

Application for exchange to an equivalent Irish licence must be made within one year of expiry of the licence.

All applicants for exchange must complete an Exchange of Driving Licence form (D.900) and an Application for Driving Licence form (D.401).

Looks like you'll have to apply for the theory test, get a permit and do the test 6 months later. You have to have a person who has held a full car licence for 2 years+ to accompany you in the car at all times when driving on the permit.

You proberly could get insurance, but you'd be paying a lot for it, and if the worst happens they may not cover you or come looking for the money as technically you don't hold a licence till you pass the test here.

Not too sure if Magnus information is correct as you wil be resident here not visiting. The easiest way to find out is to call the RSA and ask, they've answered any question I've had quickly by both phone and email.

Richie15

That it's not an EU country doesn't mean you can't drive, it just means you can't exchange it for an Irish one. I'm assuming you're a Thai citizen over here temporarily? You can drive on your Thai licence for the first twelve months but if you're going to be here longer (including any time you've been here so far) you'll need to sit the theory test, get a Learner Permit, wait six months and pass a driving test.

I don't know if you have to give up your Thai licence. It would be handy if you could drive on your Thai licence while at the same time carrying an Irish Learner permit, which would mean you wouldn't need an accompanying driver, but I'm almost certain you can't do that.

Alanstrainor

I'm going to close this as the OP has the exact same thread in Learning to Drive.
Closed.
Here's a link to the other thread. LINK