Driver licence query?

Authentic

Hi all,

Quick question for people here, I`m going abroad to live for 2-3 years and I need a drivers licence abroad.

There is an option where I can give my original Irish licence and replace it with the native licence. This means once I give the Irish licence, that`s gone. I will still need the Irish licence however when I return to Dublin.

Now, I was wondering if I do the following if it will be illegal/against the law or similar. If I submit the Irish licence, get the native one and then say in the motor tax office that my licence got lost/stolen and get a exact copy of my Irish licence, therefore having the 2 licences?

L1011

It would be illegal (false deceleration at the very minimum), and in theory the foreign licencing agency is meant to notify your issuing council.

Not that they often do...

Authentic

MYOB wrote: »

It would be illegal (false deceleration at the very minimum), and in theory the foreign licencing agency is meant to notify your issuing council.

Not that they often do...

ah ballz, is there ANY loophole in this that anyone had encountered or heard of? really strapped for time and due to personal issue is the ONLY reason I`m doing this

cheers for the quick reply btw

L1011

You can swap back when you get back, as these deals are meant to be reciprocal.

If you're worried about when you're visiting, I don't think there's any country we do a swap with that has less than 1 year validity here.

stoneill

Would you not just do the driving test in your new location?
Keep your Irish Licence and gain a new licence too.

L1011

stoneill wrote: »

Would you not just do the driving test in your new location?
Keep your Irish Licence and gain a new licence too.

If its in the EU, that's also illegal - can only hold one EU licence per category. Would be difficult to get caught for it, though.

stoneill

I was assuming it was outside EU.
If inside EU Irish licence is valid.

Most countries demand that if you are staying more than 90 days that you have a licence issued by that country - since he's going away for 2-3 years best option is just to do the local test.

K.Flyer

Lived and worked in Spain for 5 years with a lot of driving involved, never had a problem when I produced my Irish driving licence at check points. Just make sure you carry all your documents (Insurance cert, Driving Licence (and a photocopy of your passport is always handy)) in the car with you. It makes life easier if you get stopped. Depending on where you are going it may be a legal requirement, as it was in Spain.

From the RSA website....

All countries in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) – EU plus Norway, Liechenstein and Iceland – benefit from a ‘mutual recognition’ agreement in respect of driving licences.
Under the agreement, Irish driving licence holders can drive in any EU or EEA country on their existing Irish driving licence so long as it’s current and valid. .
An Irish licence holder must be age 18 with a full licence to drive in most EU Countries. The following countries (Austria, Germany, Hungry, United Kingdom and Norway) allow a full licence holder to drive at the age of 17.

When driving in non-EU or EEA countries, an international driving permit (IDP) is required. This is recognised internationally and allows you to drive in most but not all countries across the world.

marzic

I drove in the uk for a few years in the late 90's on my irish licence, no probs. I even missed out on points at the time because they couldnt put them on the irish one. I exchanged it for an english one just before I returned to ireland for exactly that reason, but havent ever had been pulled up for a points offence here anyway. I'd say drive away on your 'Nil pois paddy permit', if the same rules apply now!

hondasam

Get an international licence. What country you going to?

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=international%20licence&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aaireland.ie%2FAA%2FMotoring-advice%2FDriving-in-Europe%2FInternational-driving-permit.aspx&ei=AIX8T9KACNCShgey35HoBg&usg=AFQjCNGBjKJvSTS0EYIqMZs7D3w7_tWrFQ

Authentic

It is outside EU, Eastern Europe, the reason why I do not want to do a driver test over there is due to corruption and I know for a fact 1 out of 10 people passes the 1st time without any bribe involved and foreginers NEVER pass on the 1st go as they feel they`ll get more money on 2nd and 3rd attempt as you need to pay more to take the test again, and I am not wasting my scarce funds in that manner

ironclaw

If its Poland, you'll be fine. Anyone I've heard of always drives on their Irish license regardless of the stay length. Most officials would not be willing to dedicate the time to track such users down. The only hit you may take is if you have to take out insurance on a foreign license as your own Irish insurance probably won't cover anything but a holiday. The only time I can see you having an issue is if your a repeat offender or become known to the local police etc etc.

K.Flyer

Looks like the best route to go to save you all that trouble is to get yourself an International Driving Licence.

Contact the AA or go to their web site for all the details. www.AAIreland.ie

mdebets

K.Flyer wrote: »

Looks like the best route to go to save you all that trouble is to get yourself an International Driving Licence.

Contact the AA or go to their web site for all the details. www.AAIreland.ie

Wouldn't do him any good, as an International Driving Licence is just a translation of your national licence.

If it is a EU country, you can use your Irish licence until it expires. If it is not an EU country, you have either change it to a local licence (if the country recognizes Irish licenses) or do the test and get a licence of the country (if it doesn't recognizes Irish licenses).

K.Flyer

Thats correct it is only a translation of your national licence. But depending on which country you go to and, which website you read, the IDP may be recognised for up to three years by the country you are visiting without having to apply for a local licence / test. But for most countries it will be valid for a year as long as your national licence is still valid.

More information...

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Driving-abroad---where-do-I-need-an-international-license/

and

http://www.aaireland.ie/AA/Motoring-advice/Driving-in-Europe/International-driving-permit.aspx

And

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

whomitconcerns

but most of eastern europe is in EU. So where are you going that you think you need a local licence. I drive in Romania on my Irish licence..its fine

K.Flyer

Maybe if the OP was to say which country he is actually going to, it would be easier to help him.

Anan1

Authentic wrote: »

I will still need the Irish licence however when I return to Dublin.

Why?

Wheelnut

Going back to post 8 from Kflyer, does the RSA website really say this:

All countries in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) – EU plus Norway, Liechenstein and Iceland – benefit from a ‘mutual recognition’ agreement in respect of driving licences.
Under the agreement, Irish driving licence holders can drive in any EU or EEA country on their existing Irish driving licence so long as it’s current and valid. .
An Irish licence holder must be age 18 with a full licence to drive in most EU Countries. The following countries (Austria, Germany, Hungry, United Kingdom and Norway) allow a full licence holder to drive at the age of 17.

When driving in non-EU or EEA countries, an international driving permit (IDP) is required. This is recognised internationally and allows you to drive in most but not all countries across the world.

I've never heard of a country called Hungry, maybe they mean Hungary.

K.Flyer

Wheelnut wrote: »

Going back to post 8 from Kflyer, does the RSA website really say this:

All countries in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) – EU plus Norway, Liechenstein and Iceland – benefit from a ‘mutual recognition’ agreement in respect of driving licences.
Under the agreement, Irish driving licence holders can drive in any EU or EEA country on their existing Irish driving licence so long as it’s current and valid. .
An Irish licence holder must be age 18 with a full licence to drive in most EU Countries. The following countries (Austria, Germany, Hungry, United Kingdom and Norway) allow a full licence holder to drive at the age of 17.

When driving in non-EU or EEA countries, an international driving permit (IDP) is required. This is recognised internationally and allows you to drive in most but not all countries across the world.

I've never heard of a country called Hungry, maybe they mean Hungary.

Yep, here in black n white...

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Driving-abroad---where-do-I-need-an-international-license/