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Getting a UK drivers licence

  • 15-01-2011 3:48pm
    #1
    Amber Lamps
    Closed Accounts Posts: 282 ✭✭


    I have benn considering moving to the UK to train as a truck driver. I'm guessing that you would need a UK licence to learn there. I was told that if you have a relative over there with an address it can be easier to get one, but not sure how. Does anyone have any experience in getting a Uk licence. I have a full Irish licence for 6 years now.


Comments

  • #2
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Your Irish license is valid in the uk, there's no need to change it. But if you are a resident over there you can change your full Irish license into a uk one. Not exactly sure what the process is, but there's no test involved.


  • #3
    bluenose1956
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91 ✭✭bluenose1956


    My guess would be that the relevant forms would be available in any UK Post Office, and would be sent to Swansea upon completion.


  • #4
    Amber Lamps
    Closed Accounts Posts: 282 ✭✭Amber Lamps


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    Your Irish license is valid in the uk, there's no need to change it. But if you are a resident over there you can change your full Irish license into a uk one. Not exactly sure what the process is, but there's no test involved.

    yeah but would i be able to do a truck driving course on my Irish one or would i need a UK one for that?


  • #5
    Permabear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39,022 ✭✭✭✭Permabear


    This post has been deleted.


  • #6
    Richard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,439 ✭✭✭Richard


    Permabear wrote: »
    This post had been deleted.

    It's also worth pointing out that there are two types of UK licence - one issued by the DVLA and valid for England, Scotland and Wales and the other issued by the DVA (formerly DVLNI) and valid for Northern Ireland. Both look the same and have "UK" surrounded by EU stars but they are different.


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  • #7
    hardybuck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    Hi folks,

    I'm moving up the North in a months time, and have only a provisional license in Ireland. I won't get time to sit the test before I go between sorting a million things out.

    Can I transfer my Irish provisional license to a British equivalent or must I go and apply for a UK one all over again?

    Also is it true that the UK full license test is not as difficult as in the Republic?

    Thanks.


  • #8
    Permabear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39,022 ✭✭✭✭Permabear


    This post has been deleted.


  • #9
    User Friendly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭User Friendly


    Permabear wrote: »
    This post had been deleted.

    how do you know this?


  • #10
    donkey balls
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,554 ✭✭✭donkey balls


    Hi op why would you want to go to the UK just to learn how to drive a truck when it can be done here?


  • #11
    Permabear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39,022 ✭✭✭✭Permabear


    This post has been deleted.


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  • #12
    hardybuck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    I wonder does the average Irish driver come to the test at a higher standard though? As you know you must have at least 6 months provisional experience built up before you can apply for the test, this must be having an impact on the quality of applicant.


  • #13
    loobylou
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭loobylou


    hardybuck wrote: »
    I wonder does the average Irish driver come to the test at a higher standard though? As you know you must have at least 6 months provisional experience built up before you can apply for the test, this must be having an impact on the quality of applicant.

    I very much doubt it. The average test applicant (for cars) in the UK has taken over 40 hours of professional tuition.


  • #14
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,102 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    hardybuck wrote: »
    I wonder does the average Irish driver come to the test at a higher standard though? As you know you must have at least 6 months provisional experience built up before you can apply for the test, this must be having an impact on the quality of applicant.

    A quote I heard many years ago comes to mind. "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect".


  • #15
    Permabear
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39,022 ✭✭✭✭Permabear


    This post has been deleted.


  • #16
    Grimpeur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Grimpeur


    Amber Lamps, if you're definitely going to the uk to get your hgv licence, then this site is invaluable:

    http://www.trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=5

    Best of luck with it.


  • #17
    Penfailed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,659 ✭✭✭Penfailed


    hardybuck wrote: »
    Also is it true that the UK full license test is not as difficult as in the Republic?

    I have no idea what the driving test is like in the Republic but in NI you have to do a written Theory Test, including a hazard perception test, as well as a practial driving test.

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  • #18
    Grimpeur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Grimpeur


    I reckon the uk truck test is more difficult than here.

    For example, the reverse part of the test in Ireland is basically a straightforward reverse round a corner.
    In the uk you need to reverse in an 's' pattern and into a 'bay' - a narrow, marked off area with a barrier which you need to place the back of your truck/trailer very close to but not touch.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lcMsu5NtGU&feature=related

    There's also a practical part of the test which involves hitching/un-hitching a trailer and securing loads etc.


  • #19
    donkey balls
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,554 ✭✭✭donkey balls


    It's a long time since I did my test but back then you reversed on the drivers side then the blind side also had to back onto some kind of bay back then,I really dont see how the UK test would be considered harder than ours for HGV.


  • #20
    Grimpeur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Grimpeur


    Hi donkey balls.

    I did the test here last year - rigid and artic.

    In the rigid I did the reverse round the corner, near side and blind side but that was easy.
    I did the artic test twice - failed the first time - and on both occasions the reverse was near side only.

    Just looking at the video I posted I reckon that reverse is much more difficult!


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