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Do I HAVE to exchange my NI licence?

  • 21-05-2012 3:51pm
    #1
    muinteoir09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    Apologies if this has been posted before (I have done a search but cannot find anything recent).

    Does anyone know if I have to exchange my full NI driving licence for an Irish one? I was told by a Garda in Co. Louth that I did and that I'd better sort it asap but the only information that I can find on the subject seems to suggest that I may exchange it if I want to. There appears to be no obligation to do so. My car and insurance are registered at my address in Dublin but my licence address is in Northern Ireland.

    Does anyone know exactly what the law is? The only issue as far as I can see is that the DVLA in Northern Ireland requires a notification of change of address and failure to do so can result in a fine. Although a friend was told by staff in the Motor Office in Belfast that as long as the family address remains the same, you are covered.

    I have eight or so years left on my licence and don't see why I should have to pay to get an Irish one given that we are within the EU.

    It's a bit of a mind-field; any clarification would be most appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,219 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Afaik you can continue to use your NI licence as it's a EU licence.
    I don't think you ever have to swap over to Irish licence.

    I know some German guys that have been here many many years and just go home to get their renewed licence there. Stopped several times and never asked about their foreign licence, even in Irish cars.


  • #3
    Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,236 ✭✭✭Dr. Kenneth Noisewater


    If you look at your licence you'll notice the EU flag, that Garda was talking out of his arse. They're in the process of changing the Irish licence from paper to plastic cards like the UK one, the whole aim is to standardise the driving licences in every country. I knew loads of people living in Donegal who had DVLA licences registered to their family address in the North and there was never a problem.


  • #4
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    biko wrote: »
    Afaik you can continue to use your NI licence as it's a EU licence.
    I don't think you ever have to swap over to Irish licence.

    I know some German guys that have been here many many years and just go home to get their renewed licence there. Stopped several times and never asked about their foreign licence, even in Irish cars.

    Been driving on my German licence for ages now. Never been an issue.
    One of the good things about it, is that it doesn't have an expiry date. So no having to run into the Polizei every 10 years, thank god, I don't think I could hack that stress!;)


  • #5
    Mr.David
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,704 ✭✭✭Mr.David


    You can keep any EU one until either:

    a) It expires
    b) You have held it in Ireland for the full renewal period (10yrs)

    So you should be grand, up to a max of 10yrs.


  • #6
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    Been driving for 5 years here in NL with no problems on my Irish license, there is a slight problem in that its made of paper and about as fragile as the dead sea scrolls.

    Might get it exchanged at some point, but the poster above is correct, no requirement to swap.


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  • #7
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,747 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Mr.David wrote: »
    You can keep any EU one until either:

    a) It expires
    b) You have held it in Ireland for the full renewal period (10yrs)

    So you should be grand, up to a max of 10yrs.

    ...and a UK licence is good 'til your 70.

    That's a long, long, way away.... :D

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #8
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ...and a UK licence is good 'til your 70.

    That's a long, long, way away.... :D

    I think the ID Card is only valid for 10 years though.


  • #9
    Richard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,439 ✭✭✭Richard


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ...and a UK licence is good 'til your 70.

    That's a long, long, way away.... :D

    The NI licences are different from the GB ones:

    http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/motoring/driver-licensing/need-a-new-or-updated-licence/renewing-your-driving-licence.htm

    Although they look very similar, and both have UK on them, the rules are slightly different. But yeah, OP should be fine until his licence expires.

    BTW I lived in the South for 4 years and never had any problems with my NI licence.


  • #10
    Ellis Dee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭Ellis Dee


    biko wrote: »
    Afaik you can continue to use your NI licence as it's a EU licence.
    I don't think you ever have to swap over to Irish licence.

    I know some German guys that have been here many many years and just go home to get their renewed licence there. Stopped several times and never asked about their foreign licence, even in Irish cars.

    I think you are right. My daughter came to study in Ireland in 1993 and stayed on. She has a Finnish licence, valid until 2042. On two occasions, she has been told by Gardai that she has to get an Irish one, but has just told them to check their facts, especially about EU law, and not talk rubbish. She is a barrister at law BTW.:)


  • #11
    fando
    Closed Accounts Posts: 172 ✭✭fando


    My insurance premium went down 70e after swapping EU licence to Irish one.


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  • #12
    ardmacha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭ardmacha


    Hypothetically (very hypothetically) you could get into hassle in NI as you are driving a ROI car, but are purporting to live in NI (as per the address on your licence). Probably though this would not amount to more than the change of address fine at the end of the day.

    IMHO the EU need to standardise this issue, if addresses appear on licences (and there some advantages to this) then people should be obliged to update this information.


  • #13
    pred racer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,384 ✭✭✭pred racer


    Ellis Dee wrote: »
    I think you are right. My daughter came to study in Ireland in 1993 and stayed on. She has a Finnish licence, valid until 2042. On two occasions, she has been told by Gardai that she has to get an Irish one, but has just told them to check their facts, especially about EU law, and not talk rubbish. She is a barrister at law BTW.:)

    Id so love to be there to see his face:D


  • #14
    muinteoir09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭muinteoir09


    Thanks for all the replies everyone. I appreciate it.


  • #15
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,472 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Changed mine due to hassle from the local police.


  • #16
    ABajaninCork
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,411 ✭✭✭ABajaninCork


    Didn't bother. I have a UK licence. Been stopped by the Gards several times, and no problems.

    If you have an EU licence, then you DO NOT NEED TO EXCHANGE IT FOR AN IRISH ONE!!!


  • #17
    Chriscl1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 998 ✭✭✭Chriscl1


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    Changed mine due to hassle from the local police.
    Isn't that what the ombudsman is for??


  • #18
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,472 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Chriscl1 wrote: »
    Isn't that what the ombudsman is for??
    I doubt there is one in Bulgaria.

    If you get a ticket here on a foreign licence you have 2 choices. Be banned for 1 month or exchange your licence and accept the local points and fine.


  • #19
    Chriscl1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 998 ✭✭✭Chriscl1


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    I doubt there is one in Bulgaria.

    If you get a ticket here on a foreign licence you have 2 choices. Be banned for 1 month or exchange your licence and accept the local points and fine.

    Oh dear! I thought t'was the local gardai. That's pretty harsh by the Bulgarian police.


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