Never really drove but have had 2nd provisonal licence

shadowcomplex

Its a weird situation I know but I have already had a 2nd provisional licence but I havent really drove at all,my dad applied for these licences for me, this licence is lost now and I think it may be out of date also anyway. I want to get on the road now because im too old not to be able to drive or not have a car, can someone explain what I need to do

ProudDUB

Call up your local motor tax office. They'll tell you if your learner permit (that's what they call provisionals these days) is still valid, or has expired. That will dictate what form you'll need to fill out. If its lost & still valid, you'll need to get the form for that at your local Garda station, stating that its lost. Fill it out, and get a Garda to sign & stamp it. Get 2 new passport photos. Bring these & a tenner to your local motor tax office, and they'll post you out a new learner permit in 5 working days. If it has expired, you just need a different form.

In Dublin, if you are applying for a third permit you also have to supply a letter from a test center stating that you have sat and failed a test in the past 2 years, hence your need for a 3rd permit. I guess they presume that most people will be doing some driving and will be sitting a test at some time if they have had 2 provisionals. Better ask them when you call what is the dealio with that, seeing as you've never driven and have sat no test. You can do all this by post too I believe. Google replacing/renewing learner permits in your county, and it will give you the number you need to call.

Once you have your learner permit, you can commence with your driving lessons. As you had your first learner permit before April 2011, the new rules about getting 12 mandatory EDT lessons with a RSA approved instructor do not apply to you. Anyone can teach you how to drive really, a friend, a family member etc. However, consider getting at least some lessons with a trained professional. That will lead you to being a better driver over all & not picking up the bad driving habits of others. It will also greatly increase the odds of you passing your test on the first go.

Study up on the Rules of the Road. Even though you don't have to to do the theory test again, consider getting the theory test DVD or book, and study the questions. It's probably been some time since you first studied them, and you'll be quite rusty about what to do in real life driving scenarios. While you are driving on a learner permit, you can not drive on motor ways. You can not drive unaccompanied, as you must always have someone with you in the car who has held a full DL for at least 2 years.

Get as much practice in as you can in between lessons. Do your test when ever you feel ready. Get your full license if you pass & off you go. That's about it really.

shadowcomplex

Ive moved house which is a bit of a distance from work so I need to get a car as soon as possible and because im paying off other debts aggressively as cheap as possible, was consdering getting this

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=764830&r=s.php%3Fe%3D500%26g%3D0

What ye reckon,would it be a big risk trying to get it nct's again, would appreciate other options in the cork and waterford area, could strech to 1000 euro if needs be but the cheaper the better, im a learner driver also

shadowcomplex

Would appreciate opinions of these also

http://www.motorview.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=813268773587160
http://www.motorview.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713268789838530
http://www.motorview.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=6813373491830150
http://www.motorview.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=6013356090091480

Faith+1

Personally Shadow I'd avoid any saloon model. A small hatchback around the 1.2/1.3 is ideal for commuting, cheap on juice and the road tax/insurance is cheaper.

I drive a 1.25 fiesta these last 4 years and haven't had one single problem. You should ring around a few insurance companies first before commiting to a car as you said you're still on a LP and your quote could be quite high.