Query about transferring a license

DrPhilG

I passed my test in Ireland many moons ago, but I moved to the Northabout 10 years ago and transferred to a UK one. I moved back 3 years ago but never got around to changing my license back.

I picked up a form the other day to get it sorted, and have downloaded the D900 form for license transfer. It asks on that form the date that I moved into the country.

My query is, will I get in bother for waiting so long? Is there a time limit in which you have to transfer, same was as you have 1 days grace to re-register a car?

If they make me re-sit the test I'd rather move back up North!

Permabear

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DrPhilG

donegalfella wrote: »

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Well that should answer my question in that I'm not going to get told off for not transferring earlier, but strictly speaking I do have to change it. I no longer live at the address in Derry that is on my license so it is as far as I know illegal to have it with an incorrect address.

Thanks though, you've answered the question!

Richie15

DrPhilG wrote: »

I no longer live at the address in Derry that is on my license so it is as far as I know illegal to have it with an incorrect address.

I don't know about the UK, but if you've an Irish licence and change address within Ireland, you don't have to change your licence. It's advisable and free, but not necessary.

If you're moving from abroad, your licence is valid for up to one year, at which point you're supposed to get an Irish one. If it's a recognised country (EU or EEA) you can exchange it, any other country you get a learner permit and do a test. For non-recognised countries, this is a requirement, and I thought it was for EU licences too but donegalfella says no so it must be just the same as the address, recommended but not essential.

DrPhilG

Richie15 wrote: »

I don't know about the UK, but if you've an Irish licence and change address within Ireland, you don't have to change your licence. It's advisable and free, but not necessary.

If you're moving from abroad, your licence is valid for up to one year, at which point you're supposed to get an Irish one. If it's a recognised country (EU or EEA) you can exchange it, any other country you get a learner permit and do a test. For non-recognised countries, this is a requirement, and I thought it was for EU licences too but donegalfella says no so it must be just the same as the address, recommended but not essential.

Do Irish licenses have an address on them? I think the reason you need to change a Northern license is because your address is listed on the license, both the papaer part and the id card.

Richie15

DrPhilG wrote: »

Do Irish licenses have an address on them?

Yep, they have.

Alun

I have it on written authority from someone in the RSA that there is no requirement for anyone to keep the address up to date on an non-Irish EU licence being used in Ireland. Not that you could do it anyway.

Alun

Richie15 wrote: »

If you're moving from abroad, your licence is valid for up to one year, at which point you're supposed to get an Irish one. If it's a recognised country (EU or EEA) you can exchange it, any other country you get a learner permit and do a test.

No, you may keep on using your EU licence until it expires, but you can exchange it if you want to (there's no obligation to). The 1 year thing is for non-EU licences.

Richie15

Alun wrote: »

No, you may keep on using your EU licence until it expires...

Then what? AFAIK, you can't renew it, because the other country can't issue a licence to a non-resident, so do you have to exchange it before it expires?

Alun

Richie15 wrote: »

Then what? AFAIK, you can't renew it, because the other country can't issue a licence to a non-resident, so do you have to exchange it before it expires?

Simples, you exchange it just before it expires. There, that wasn't difficult was it?

Richie15

Alun wrote: »

Simples, you exchange it just before it expires. There, that wasn't difficult was it?

You'd think so, wouldn't you? But I meant what if it expires before you exchange it?

Del2005

Richie15 wrote: »

You'd think so, wouldn't you? But I meant what if it expires before you exchange it?

Irish drivers licences are valid for 10 years after they expire. I'd assume all EU licences are the same as we have an EU licence, unless of course they issue for life licences.

ArseBurger

If you are 'normally resident' in Ireland you can drive on another EU or EEA member state license for up to 12 months. You can convert it if it is still valid.

ztoical

Del2005 wrote: »

Irish drivers licences are valid for 10 years after they expire.

You can renew your Irish drivers license up to 5 years after it's expired not 10....once it's past 5 years you have to sit the test again.

Permabear

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ztoical

donegalfella wrote: »

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my mistake....appears my mother resat her test without having to then.

Del2005

donegalfella wrote: »

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While I'm not doubting this I know several people who have been pulled with expired licences, 1 person with an expired UK licence, and none have been done for not having a licence. And since there is no test to renew a drivers licence for up to 10 years after it expires then it must still be valid or else you'd need to be retested.

I'm nearly certain that insurance policies state that you have to have a licence or held a licence for the catergorey of vehicle you wish to drive to be insured. There's no way in hell they'd allow someone to drive on an expired licence if they could get away with it.