Uk licenses - any updates ?

Discodog

A friend of mine has a UK license - it's one of the old paper ones with no photo but it is still valid. He was considering changing it for an Irish license, to use as a photo id but "the lads" told him not to as "they" can't put points on a UK license.

I did a bit of googling & the situation still seems vague. I read something about the licensing centre keeping a virtual license or record of any points.

So what's the latest situation & should he keep his UK license ?

CiniO

Discodog wrote: »

A friend of mine has a UK license - it's one of the old paper ones with no photo but it is still valid. He was considering changing it for an Irish license, to use as a photo id but "the lads" told him not to as "they" can't put points on a UK license.

I did a bit of googling & the situation still seems vague. I read something about the licensing centre keeping a virtual license or record of any points.

So what's the latest situation & should he keep his UK license ?

They do indeed keep virtual licence record, and allocate all the points in there.
However these points don't get activated until you swap your licence for Irish licence.
They also don't erase after three years.

That generally means that while you still drive on foreign licence you don't have to worry about point, as even if you collected 100 of them, they won't affect you.
However it could lead to the situation, that someone who will collect f.e. 15 points in Ireland while using UK licence, and then want to swap licence for Irish, he will be banned from driving straight away after swapping.

Discodog

Could be interesting renewing insurance. Any convictions yes, clean license yes

Pulsating Star

He should keep his present license but ask him not to take the piss as to help keep this under the radar;)

bodonnell

If you have access to a uk mailing address why not exchange it for their credit card style license which you could use as photo id, get someone to post you an application form.

keithclancy

Discodog wrote: »

A friend of mine has a UK license - it's one of the old paper ones with no photo but it is still valid. He was considering changing it for an Irish license, to use as a photo id but "the lads" told him not to as "they" can't put points on a UK license.

I did a bit of googling & the situation still seems vague. I read something about the licensing centre keeping a virtual license or record of any points.

So what's the latest situation & should he keep his UK license ?

Technically its only valid for 10 years (maximum validity in Ireland)

However I've never heard of it being a problem with UK Licenses.

Definitely a problem if you have the new style paper + ID Card.

Old style you don't have a problem really, just carry on until someone tells you otherwise.

Points go on a shadow license, once you swap over you get them automatically.

Discodog

The funny part is that his license is literally a big sheet of paper folded up so that it fits into a plastic wallet. It would probably fall to bits if you took it out - he wouldn't let us in the pub last night

He has an old speeding conviction & the UK court just wrote it on the license in biro - I would of though than an Irish court could do the same !

keithclancy

Discodog wrote: »

The funny part is that his license is literally a big sheet of paper folded up so that it fits into a plastic wallet. It would probably fall to bits if you took it out - he wouldn't let us in the pub last night

He has an old speeding conviction & the UK court just wrote it on the license in biro - I would of though than an Irish court could do the same !

No, an Irish court cannot endorse a foreign license, it remains the property of the UK Authorities.

slimjimmc

Discodog wrote: »

The funny part is that his license is literally a big sheet of paper folded up so that it fits into a plastic wallet. It would probably fall to bits if you took it out - he wouldn't let us in the pub last night

He has an old speeding conviction & the UK court just wrote it on the license in biro - I would of though than an Irish court could do the same !

The licence is the property of the UK government. I don't think it's allowed to interfere with another state's official documents.