Car insurance in ireland for a US national

Cyrus

A colleague here at work has his US driving licence, but has been told that he cant get car insurance here without an irish licence?

Sounds odd, can anyone shed any light on what he could do without having to take a test here?

MetzgerMeister

AFAIK, the only way a US citizen can drive here is to pass the Irish test.

Marcusm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

AFAIK, the only way a US citizen can drive here is to pass the Irish test.

That depends how long he's been here; he can drive for the first year on his US licence.

OP: Recommend he approach a broker.

goz83

I think it's a safety test and not a full test. There was a canadian girl working with me in Eircom and for her to get her company car, she had to do a safety test. Maybe for a private policy it's different. Is the american system that bad, that we don't trust them, or is it just more irish bs. They rent cars when they come over on their license, so why not have their own policy?

RootX

According to RSA, it's a full test I'm afraid

If you are not from any of the above countries, (for example, if you are from Canada, or The United States), and you hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit from your own country, you may drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months).

If your stay in Ireland will be more than 12 months you can apply for an Irish driving licence but you will need to go through the full driver licensing procedure. You must first pass a driver theory test, apply for a learner permit, complete a course of Essential Driver Training(EDT) and pass your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you can then apply for a full Irish driving licence.

Link: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Holders-of-foreign-licenses/

goz83

RootX wrote: »

According to RSA, it's a full test I'm afraid



Link: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Holders-of-foreign-licenses/

Ouch!

mathepac

goz83 wrote: »

Ouch!

Ouch is right. I can perhaps understand the logic of the theory test and swotting up on the ROTR, but 12 paid lessons a learner's permit, L plates, a full test. Do they think all the DMV licensing offices in the US are run by Marge's ugly sisters?

ardmacha

Driving standards vary in the US from state to state, but Americans are generally not very good drivers. OK someone can rent a car with a US licence, but car rental insurance is €150/week!

Consider Kentucky, population a little less than the 26 counties, they had 405 road fatalities by mid July compared to 109 here to date.

Now I accept that people drive larger distances in Kentucky, but they do so on better roads, generally.

Wicklowandy

If an irish person goes to the us they can exchange their full irish licence for us equivilent, if they decide to come home they have to resit a test to get an irish licence, happened to my friend who spent 8 years in the us

Gael23

If you want Insurance in Ireland with a US lisence you are classed as a driver on a provisional lisence.
The only way to avoid this is to take an Irish driving test.

seanmacc

Currently I'm on a Washington State driving licence and I've been living here on and off since 2008. The law says you can drive here for a year but then you must go for the Irish licence. That includes full test ad having to pay for driving lessons with a registered driving school. Its very prohibitive. The only way I'm getting away with it is I can prove US residency (Bank accounts, Tax Returns ect.) I'm insured with Zurich and they've had no problem with it up till this year where they're looking for documentation off me. I'm paying about 1300 a year on a 1.3l car fully comp with my wife on the policy (also on a US licence)

If you get a provisional licence you can drive alone if you hold a full US one. Another suggestion I can make is that if you know someone in Germany,France, Belgium, Poland or a couple of the Baltic countries and are willing to spend some time there, get residency ad go through the red tape they will exchange your US licence for one of there's which can then be changed for an Irish one. Or certain Canadian states have exchange treaties with the UK.

You will be able to get insurance. I was quoted by Zurich, FBD and Quinn. Quinn were looking for an international driving permit though.

ZuZuPuff

Hi sorry to dredge this thread up again

Seanmacc just wondering where you got the info about americans with a full american licence being able to drive alone in ireland on an Irish provisional? This could hugely benefit someone I know and they've never heard this before.

Thanks!

seanmacc

ZuZuPuff wrote: »

Hi sorry to dredge this thread up again

Seanmacc just wondering where you got the info about americans with a full american licence being able to drive alone in ireland on an Irish provisional? This could hugely benefit someone I know and they've never heard this before.

Thanks!

My sister is a traffic corps garda let me know initially.

When applying for the provisional licence be sure to put on the form that you hold a licence from another juristiction and give a photocopy of that license. When you do that they don't put the 991 code (must wait 6 months to sit a test) or the 999 code (must be accompanied by a qualified driver) on the provisional license. You must also have a US passport for them not to put the 991 or 999 on the license.
As I've an Irish passport they put codes on mine but as far as the Gardaí are concerned if you have the US license with your provisional Irish and the codes are on it they are fine with it. Insurance wise you are grand as insurance companies have to pay out in accidents where the provisional licence driver is unaccompanied.

ZuZuPuff

Thanks for the reply

He already has his provisional and when he was inquiring about it(he emailed embassy and a few other places) no one ever told him about doing this, he was told he was the exact same as a learner Irish driver and I'm guessing just glanced over the application and didn't see the bit about a foreign licence. So his provisional already has the 999 on it, even though his current provisional is not expired, can he reapply to get the 999 removed?

él statutorio

ZuZuPuff wrote: »

Hi sorry to dredge this thread up again

Seanmacc just wondering where you got the info about americans with a full american licence being able to drive alone in ireland on an Irish provisional? This could hugely benefit someone I know and they've never heard this before.

Thanks!

They can drive alone on a US license (which is classed the same as an Irish provisional).

seanmacc

ZuZuPuff wrote: »

Thanks for the reply

He already has his provisional and when he was inquiring about it(he emailed embassy and a few other places) no one ever told him about doing this, he was told he was the exact same as a learner Irish driver and I'm guessing just glanced over the application and didn't see the bit about a foreign licence. So his provisional already has the 999 on it, even though his current provisional is not expired, can he reapply to get the 999 removed?

That, I'm not sure of. If they have the 999 on it and have their US licence on them they'll be fine if they get a traffic stop. The major issue the Gardaí had with people on non EEA licences was that some drivers were going around taking the p**s and were untouchable. If they have provisional Irish licences they can have penalty points applied. The insurance companies are getting tighter in regards to insuring people on US licences without the provisional for that reason also.

What my issue is and I believe that something should be done about it is the compulsory driving lessons. I've been driving around with no accidents or claims for over 6 years in various states and countries and now I return home and am expected to fork out over 600euro in driving lessons to get a full Irish licence before I sit a test. With all the US multinationals over here bringing some employees you'd think that common sense would prevail and just have the test requirment only.

él statutorio

seanmacc wrote: »

That, I'm not sure of. If they have the 999 on it and have their US licence on them they'll be fine if they get a traffic stop. The major issue the Gardaí had with people on non EEA licences was that some drivers were going around taking the p**s and were untouchable. If they have provisional Irish licences they can have penalty points applied. The insurance companies are getting tighter in regards to insuring people on US licences without the provisional for that reason also.

What my issue is and I believe that something should be done about it is the compulsory driving lessons. I've been driving around with no accidents or claims for over 6 years in various states and countries and now I return home and am expected to fork out over 600euro in driving lessons to get a full Irish licence before I sit a test. With all the US multinationals over here bringing some employees you'd think that common sense would prevail and just have the test requirment only.

Are you sure about this?

My Wife has been on her US licence over here for the last 3 years with no issue from the insurance company...
Premiums have actually gone down....

seanmacc

él statutorio wrote: »

Are you sure about this?

My Wife has been on her US licence over here for the last 3 years with no issue from the insurance company...
Premiums have actually gone down....

We were with Zurich for 3 years. We were up for renewal recently but were sent a letter asking for our Irish driving licences. They wouldn't give us terms without it. We rang around and almost all the other companies were the same. Because we'd 3 years no claims they all said that you should have an Irish licence by now. Zurich said that the reason the covered us more than a year was an oversight on their records. I'd say your company will continue to insure you but if you decide to change companies you'll get that as well.

él statutorio

seanmacc wrote: »

We were with Zurich for 3 years. We were up for renewal recently but were sent a letter asking for our Irish driving licences. They wouldn't give us terms without it. We rang around and almost all the other companies were the same. Because we'd 3 years no claims they all said that you should have an Irish licence by now. Zurich said that the reason the covered us more than a year was an oversight on their records. I'd say your company will continue to insure you but if you decide to change companies you'll get that as well.

Good to know, thanks for that.

CiniO

seanmacc wrote: »

Another suggestion I can make is that if you know someone in Germany,France, Belgium, Poland or a couple of the Baltic countries and are willing to spend some time there, get residency ad go through the red tape they will exchange your US licence for one of there's which can then be changed for an Irish one

In Poland all you need to change foreign unrecognised licence (like US) into Polish one is to pass theory test.
I'm not sure though how much hassle is to obtain appropriate paperwork confirming residency.
Anyway, once you have Polish licence you are fully allowed to drive in Ireland and all over EU without any limitations.

seanmacc

CiniO wrote: »

In Poland all you need to change foreign unrecognised licence (like US) into Polish one is to pass theory test.
I'm not sure though how much hassle is to obtain appropriate paperwork confirming residency.
Anyway, once you have Polish licence you are fully allowed to drive in Ireland and all over EU without any limitations.

From my Polish colleagues in work they say its very easy. One of them hadn't any driving licence when they moved to Ireland. They got the provisional Irish one and exchanged it for a full Polish licence when they went home on holidays.

I'd assume the theory test is in Polish though.

CiniO

seanmacc wrote: »

From my Polish colleagues in work they say its very easy. One of them hadn't any driving licence when they moved to Ireland. They got the provisional Irish one and exchanged it for a full Polish licence when they went home on holidays.

There was few cases like that probably around 2004 maybe 2005.
Lads though they were smart and exchanged provisional Irish licence for full Polish licence, as no one over there had a clue what "provisional licence" is.
Before exchanging they had to be translated by sworn translator, and translations was something like "temporary licence" which Polish office thought that document was temporary before normal "credit card size" will be issued and accepted it. They never thought provisional licence isn't actually a driving licence.

But... They found out eventually, and those guys who's done it, lost their licences and were to face court charges.

So no - it doesn't work like that.

I'd assume the theory test is in Polish though.

It probably is, but I'm sure you can rent a sworn translator.
OT but, no need for theory test when changing from Irish to Polish

Marcusm

CiniO wrote: »

There was few cases like that probably around 2004 maybe 2005.
Lads though they were smart and exchanged provisional Irish licence for full Polish licence, as no one over there had a clue what "provisional licence" is.
Before exchanging they had to be translated by sworn translator, and translations was something like "temporary licence" which Polish office thought that document was temporary before normal "credit card size" will be issued and accepted it. They never thought provisional licence isn't actually a driving licence.

But... They found out eventually, and those guys who's done it, lost their licences and were to face court
OT but, no need for theory test when changing from Irish to Polish

the reverse Prawa Jazdy?

CiniO

Marcusm wrote: »

the reverse Prawa Jazdy?

Heh.
Irish Gards thinking that Prawo Jazdy was Name and Surname were about the same dumb as Polish offices thinking that provisional licence is a normal licence.

Considering that EU licences are valid and exchangable all over Europe, all issuing offices and all EU police should have a list of templates of all driving licenes from EU with all points explained in their own language, so there should be no misunderstandings.

Our man in Havana

CiniO wrote: »

Heh.
Irish Gards thinking that Prawo Jazdy was Name and Surname were about the same dumb as Polish offices thinking that provisional licence is a normal licence.

Considering that EU licences are valid and exchangable all over Europe, all issuing offices and all EU police should have a list of templates of all driving licenes from EU with all points explained in their own language, so there should be no misunderstandings.

The BG police have the big book of EU licences. In it is the Irish provisional licence and it says in big red letters "This is not a driving licence".

CiniO

Our man in Havana wrote: »

The BG police have the big book of EU licences. In it is the Irish provisional licence and it says in big red letters "This is not a driving licence".

That's brilliant.
And they should have those books in every country.

bmstuff

Clements International will take care of you

arikv

seanmacc wrote: »

My sister is a traffic corps garda let me know initially.

When applying for the provisional licence be sure to put on the form that you hold a licence from another juristiction and give a photocopy of that license. When you do that they don't put the 991 code (must wait 6 months to sit a test) or the 999 code (must be accompanied by a qualified driver) on the provisional license. You must also have a US passport for them not to put the 991 or 999 on the license.
As I've an Irish passport they put codes on mine but as far as the Gardaí are concerned if you have the US license with your provisional Irish and the codes are on it they are fine with it. Insurance wise you are grand as insurance companies have to pay out in accidents where the provisional licence driver is unaccompanied.

Hi, my spouse is in the same situation, she`s a full driving licence from another country (not approved for licence exchange) and is about to apply for provisional, have you any idea how would she make sure the exemptions are in place (before she gets the licence) or is there a piece of legislation/link you can direct me to (in case she needs to argue a point?
Thanks, Arik

ZuZuPuff

Hi, just to clarify what I mentioned earlier, it turns out the person I know did fill in that they had a full american licence on the provisional application and they still have the 999 on their provisional. I don't think they provided a copy of their US licence because it is not requested on the form, so possibly that is why they still gave him the 999 code. It's not asked for anywhere on the form and he said he had the licence where it asks, they could have requested a copy. So if I were you I'd just send a copy of the passport and foreign licence just incase, would be nice to have a source alright, or someone to appeal to.

seanmacc

I've searched everywhere myself for legislation or guidelines for a Non-EEA driving licence holder. The only thing that I am lead to is that you can drive for a period of one year and then have to apply for an Irish one. So on day 366 of moving to Ireland you now need an Irish full licensed driver beside you where the 365 days previous you didn't? The law is a bit vague.

I know someone who has been driving on a Illinois licence over here for 15 years and only bothered to do the Irish driving test last year. In his time driving on the US licence he was in two accidents, one was his fault and suffered no legal reprocussions. Once your US licence is in date and you have insurance I'd be happy enough to drive around

There is a push at the moment towards an EU driving licence which i would assume will have a standard international exchange treaty with some non-EEA states

arikv

seanmacc wrote: »

I've searched everywhere myself for legislation or guidelines for a Non-EEA driving licence holder. The only thing that I am lead to is that you can drive for a period of one year and then have to apply for an Irish one. So on day 366 of moving to Ireland you now need an Irish full licensed driver beside you where the 365 days previous you didn't? The law is a bit vague.

I know someone who has been driving on a Illinois licence over here for 15 years and only bothered to do the Irish driving test last year. In his time driving on the US licence he was in two accidents, one was his fault and suffered no legal reprocussions. Once your US licence is in date and you have insurance I'd be happy enough to drive around

There is a push at the moment towards an EU driving licence which i would assume will have a standard international exchange treaty with some non-EEA states

That might be good news (EU licence), but by the time the EU bothers to legislate (and for countries to implement) we might be flying space ships to work

steel header

Don't know how I stumbled on this, anyway...I left Ireland over 20 years ago and have been in NY since. When I left I just had a provisional license. I have never been home long enough to be able to apply for the full one. I have had a NYS license since 1990.

I got a good job offer earlier in the year which made me consider returning. When I read up on the hassle I would have to go through to obtain a license I just said no. Job involved a lot of travel.

I do believe their are insurance co. that insure US citizens driving in Ireland, but an irish citizen with a US license is going to find it very difficult. If they do manage to find coverage, they will be totally ripped off. It's the same old...the Irish government go out of their way to make it as difficult for returning immigrants from the US as they possibly can.

That's why that "Gathering" gimmick makes me want to vomit.

Marcusm

By hassle, do you mean sitting the theory and practical driving tests? It shouldn't be that hard for a regular driver. My brother passed the test yesterday at first attempt and he's really only driving 3 months despite being 43.

steel header

Why should I have to do all that again? Get a lerner permit, wait at least 6 months before I can even think about getting a full license. Essentially I'd be considered as someone with no driving experience. As for the arguement that yanks drive on the right, well so does most of europe.

slimjimmc

steel header wrote: »

Why should I have to do all that again? Get a lerner permit, wait at least 6 months before I can even think about getting a full license. Essentially I'd be considered as someone with no driving experience. As for the arguement that yanks drive on the right, well so does most of europe.

Afaik you can apply for the full licence before the 6 months if you, you just won't be issued one before the 6 months is up.

It has nothing to do with right/left drive, I doubt that was never the reason (and I've never heard it given as a reason). I think the main reason is as previously outlined, being the traditionally poor standard (perceived or real) of driving in parts of the US of A. I don't know if that comparison is valid any more since I expect training standards have improved on both side of the pond.

steel header

slimjimmc wrote: »

Afaik you can apply for the full licence before the 6 months if you, you just won't be issued one before the 6 months is up.

It has nothing to do with right/left drive, I doubt that was never the reason (and I've never heard it given as a reason). I think the main reason is as previously outlined, being the traditionally poor standard (perceived or real) of driving in parts of the US of A. I don't know if that comparison is valid any more since I expect training standards have improved on both side of the pond.

I'm not sure that is the reason. Apparently, if I was coming from Taiwan I could do a simple exchange for an Irish license. Now, I've been to Taiwan and to say they drive better than US drivers is reaching...to say the least.:rolleyes:

Marcusm

steel header wrote: »

Why should I have to do all that again? Get a lerner permit, wait at least 6 months before I can even think about getting a full license. Essentially I'd be considered as someone with no driving experience. As for the arguement that yanks drive on the right, well so does most of europe.

You arrive in Ireland and are permitted to drive on your US licence for a year. After 6 months you can apply for learner permit and 6 months later you can take the test. Whether insurers view you as someone with no experience is an insurance company rather than a legal restriction. MadsL is already in deep correspondence on this as he feels its discriminatory. What would happen if I moved to the US? Are there any states which permit a straight swap?

In fairness, I 've worked with plenty of yanks who have moved here to London and they just recognise that they need to get on an do it. I've yet to meet one who didn't pass the test first time.

Marcusm

slimjimmc wrote: »

Afaik you can apply for the full licence before the 6 months if you, you just won't be issued one before the 6 months is up.

It has nothing to do with right/left drive, I doubt that was never the reason (and I've never heard it given as a reason). I think the main reason is as previously outlined, being the traditionally poor standard (perceived or real) of driving in parts of the US of A. I don't know if that comparison is valid any more since I expect training standards have improved on both side of the pond.

steel header wrote: »

I'm not sure that is the reason. Apparently, if I was coming from Taiwan I could do a simple exchange for an Irish license. Now, I've been to Taiwan and to say they drive better than US drivers is reaching...to say the least.:rolleyes:

The issue with the US, I believe, is one of corresponding treatment. Licensing is done on a state by state basis and Ireland (and other countries generally) will not swap licences on a one way basis.

steel header

Marcusm wrote: »

You arrive in Ireland and are permitted to drive on your US licence for a year. After 6 months you can apply for learner permit and 6 months later you can take the test. Whether insurers view you as someone with no experience is an insurance company rather than a legal restriction. MadsL is already in deep correspondence on this as he feels its discriminatory. What would happen if I moved to the US? Are there any states which permit a straight swap?

In fairness, I 've worked with plenty of yanks who have moved here to London and they just recognise that they need to get on an do it. I've yet to meet one who didn't pass the test first time.

Yes in NYS, provided you are here legally, you can swap.

Marcusm

steel header wrote: »

Yes in NYS, provided you are here legally, you can swap.

Really?

If you have a driver license from any nation except Canada, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver license. See "New Drivers - How to Apply".

extract from www.dmv.nys.gov

The J Stands for Jay

steel header wrote: »

Don't know how I stumbled on this, anyway...I left Ireland over 20 years ago and have been in NY since. When I left I just had a provisional license. I have never been home long enough to be able to apply for the full one. I have had a NYS license since 1990.

I got a good job offer earlier in the year which made me consider returning. When I read up on the hassle I would have to go through to obtain a license I just said no. Job involved a lot of travel.

I do believe their are insurance co. that insure US citizens driving in Ireland, but an irish citizen with a US license is going to find it very difficult. If they do manage to find coverage, they will be totally ripped off. It's the same old...the Irish government go out of their way to make it as difficult for returning immigrants from the US as they possibly can.

That's why that "Gathering" gimmick makes me want to vomit.

If I was to move to the states, I'd be able to drive on my Irish licence for 12 monthsthen need to get a local licence. That's the practice in most countries.

ZuZuPuff

Hi, I just wanted to update on what happened with my friend. He contacted all the relevant authorities and they confirmed that you absolutely cannot drive alone with a learners permit if you hold a full american licence, it's still totally illegal(unless you're within the first year rule I think, google that as it may have changed) So he had to do go about getting a licence the same as anyone else, from scratch.

I don't think it makes a difference if you are american or Irish, it's the american licence v Irish licence that's the problem, not nationality.

What was an even bigger issue was that 9 out of 10 insurance companies would not even entertain giving him a quote, and the ones that did were extremely high quotes, so he's still getting robbed blind on insurance and he's been driving for 15 years(broken) with no claims. The insurance company he went with did say that they'd take his no claims bonus from america into account, but when it came down to it, they didn't. Hopefully once he's had his Irish licence a full year, he'll be able to get better quotes.

Note he did not have to do the driving lessons as you do now, he got his provisional before that came in and he flew through his test, now you would have to do the lessons too at an extra cost.

Bryan1969

ZuZuPuff wrote: »

Hi, I just wanted to update on what happened with my friend. He contacted all the relevant authorities and they confirmed that you absolutely cannot drive alone with a learners permit if you hold a full american licence, it's still totally illegal(unless you're within the first year rule I think, google that as it may have changed) So he had to do go about getting a licence the same as anyone else, from scratch.

I don't think it makes a difference if you are american or Irish, it's the american licence v Irish licence that's the problem, not nationality.

What was an even bigger issue was that 9 out of 10 insurance companies would not even entertain giving him a quote, and the ones that did were extremely high quotes, so he's still getting robbed blind on insurance and he's been driving for 15 years(broken) with no claims. The insurance company he went with did say that they'd take his no claims bonus from america into account, but when it came down to it, they didn't. Hopefully once he's had his Irish licence a full year, he'll be able to get better quotes.

Note he did not have to do the driving lessons as you do now, he got his provisional before that came in and he flew through his test, now you would have to do the lessons too at an extra cost.

Any idea what company finally insured your friend? I am an Irish immigrant, returning after 20 years in US. I have full US licence, will apply for provisional as soon as I arrive and will also bring my international driving license. Can I drive alone while in first 12 months of my return, assuming I have US, IDL and Irish provisional license on me? What companies will insure people with no Irish license driving experience. I've already received one decline.

slimjimmc

Bryan1969 wrote: »

Any idea what company finally insured your friend? I am an Irish immigrant, returning after 20 years in US. I have full US licence, will apply for provisional as soon as I arrive and will also bring my international driving license. Can I drive alone while in first 12 months of my return, assuming I have US, IDL and Irish provisional license on me? What companies will insure people with no Irish license driving experience. I've already received one decline.

You can drive alone on your US driving licence for up to 12 months.
I think the IDL is unimportant here as it's essentially only for translation purposes, its's your full US licence that allows you to drive here. All drivers must be able to produce their licence on demand to a Garda when driving.

If you stay longer you will need to follow the full qualification process, that means theory test, Learner Permit (provisional licences died out years ago), EDT (12 mandatory 1hr lessons), sit driving test and get full Driver Licence.

Under no circumstances can you drive alone on your Learner Permit, you must be accompanied by a driver who is fully qualified for at least 2 years. The reason being that your Learner Permit is only to allow you learn to drive under instruction. There was a loophole in the old Provisional Licence system that allowed you drive after your 2nd licence but that was closed when the Provisional Licence system was replaced with the Learner Permit.

You shouldn't have much problem getting insured on your Irish Learner Permit, most learners don't have any driving experience but can get cover. It'll be expensive though.

If you are unable to get insured on your US Drivers Licence or Irish Learner Permit you can contact the Declined Cases Committee of Insurance Ireland. You will need 3 letters of refusal, or quotes so excessively high as to be tantamount to a refusal.
See http://www.insuranceireland.eu/consumer-information/general-non-life-insurance/motor

Bryan1969

Thanks slimjimmc. Is there no way around this stipulation of requiring a fully licensed person to accompany me in the car? I'm a person of 1 and planning to use the vehicle to drive to/from work or college and all my chores (groceries etc etc etc) at the weekend, normal stuff, as I do today after driving for 15 years. I will not have an 'extra' body available to accompany me every time I sit into the car. Can this requirement be realistic even? It makes no sense to me if I have full US, and IDL and provisional (I was planning to get the IDL because I've read elsewhere it was 'good to have' so for $15 I'll get that before returning). I'm an Irish immigrant returning from the US now my parents are getting older. They don't make it easy do they (rhetorical no need to respond, thinking out loud). Then slap on a couple thousand EUR for insurance to make sure you're totally screwed.

Marcusm

Bryan1969 wrote: »

Thanks slimjimmc. Is there no way around this stipulation of requiring a fully licensed person to accompany me in the car? I'm a person of 1 and planning to use the vehicle to drive to/from work or college and all my chores (groceries etc etc etc) at the weekend, normal stuff, as I do today after driving for 15 years. I will not have an 'extra' body available to accompany me every time I sit into the car. Can this requirement be realistic even? It makes no sense to me if I have full US, and IDL and provisional (I was planning to get the IDL because I've read elsewhere it was 'good to have' so for $15 I'll get that before returning). I'm an Irish immigrant returning from the US now my parents are getting older. They don't make it easy do they (rhetorical no need to respond, thinking out loud). Then slap on a couple thousand EUR for insurance to make sure you're totally screwed.

If you've only just returned, you will have 12 months driving alone as you will rely on your US licence. After that period, your US licence no longer covers you. As I said a few posts up, you use that time to pass the Irish test. The insurance thing is obviously unfair. No doubt their response is that it is justified as they have no access to your driving record to assess your risk. Can you get a report from the relevant state to show that you have a clean licence?

ProudDUB

Bryan1969 wrote: »

Thanks slimjimmc. Is there no way around this stipulation of requiring a fully licensed person to accompany me in the car? I'm a person of 1 and planning to use the vehicle to drive to/from work or college and all my chores (groceries etc etc etc) at the weekend, normal stuff, as I do today after driving for 15 years. I will not have an 'extra' body available to accompany me every time I sit into the car. Can this requirement be realistic even? It makes no sense to me if I have full US, and IDL and provisional (I was planning to get the IDL because I've read elsewhere it was 'good to have' so for $15 I'll get that before returning). I'm an Irish immigrant returning from the US now my parents are getting older. They don't make it easy do they (rhetorical no need to respond, thinking out loud). Then slap on a couple thousand EUR for insurance to make sure you're totally screwed.

Calm down. All is not lost.

Give Allianz a ring. When I moved back here from the US, they insured me. All I had was my American license. Initially they wanted 1,500 euros. I was deemed to be very high risk. I had no driving history in this country, so they had nothing to rank me on. However, I sent them proof (from my US insurance company and state Dept of Transport) of my flawless driving record in the US going back 10 years. They took that as being as good as a five year no claims bonus and, the quote went down to 475 euros.

You will have to do all the running around getting the paperwork yourself. The Irish insurance companies won't do it for you. You may also have to fight your corner when it comes to their taking your US proof of being a good driver. That is what I had to do. They didn't have to work with me on this, but I was very blunt that I needed them to cooperate with me somewhat, if they wanted my business. They did and thankfully it all worked out. Try and get that paperwork sorted before you leave the US btw, It is real pain trying to get it from here. If your recent US driving record shows penalty points and/or accidents, claims etc etc, I don't know how much use it will be to you trying to get the Irish insurance company to give you a discount.

As others have pointed out, you can drive in Ireland for up to a year on your US license. You can buy a car, tax the car, insure the car and drive the car all on your own. No one needs to be with you when you drive. During that year, you should be getting the ball rolling on acquiring your full Irish license. You will have to have that once your year is up, as your US license will no longer be valid to drive on. If all you have is a learner permit at that stage, that is when you'll run into trouble. Holders of learner permits are not allowed drive unaccompanied. That is why you should be doing all you can to get your full license, before your freebie year on the US one expires.

In order to get the full license, you will have to do everything that a resident learner has to...do the theory test, get a learner permit, get the mandatory 12 EDT lessons and sit your test. If you pass it, you'll get your full license. There is no way around doing any of that stuff. Your having a full US license is not relevant to the process. You are allowed drive on it for up to a year, but it has no relevance to your applying for an Irish license. The only exception made for holders of an over seas license, is that you do not have to wait the six months that holders of learner permits have to, before they can sit their test. Every thing else applies.

Bryan1969

Thanks very much ProudDUB, that's a fantastic and comprehensive (pardon the pun) response. It addresses my question on the six month wait and the question of being able to drive unaccompanied. Thanks for the Allianze reference. I'll try them. How long did it take you to get the insurance squared away? I can't drive without it so if I buy a small vehicle will it take me a day or two or more like two or three weeks to get the insurance set up? How did you adapt to life back in Dublin? I'm 20 yrs in the States and am a little worried that I'll settle back in.

ba_barabus

Bryan you sound suspiciously like my landlord who is also moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the states.....

slimjimmc

Bryan1969 wrote: »

Thanks slimjimmc. Is there no way around this stipulation of requiring a fully licensed person to accompany me in the car? I'm a person of 1 and planning to use the vehicle to drive to/from work or college and all my chores (groceries etc etc etc) at the weekend, normal stuff, as I do today after driving for 15 years. I will not have an 'extra' body available to accompany me every time I sit into the car. Can this requirement be realistic even? It makes no sense to me if I have full US, and IDL and provisional (I was planning to get the IDL because I've read elsewhere it was 'good to have' so for $15 I'll get that before returning). I'm an Irish immigrant returning from the US now my parents are getting older. They don't make it easy do they (rhetorical no need to respond, thinking out loud). Then slap on a couple thousand EUR for insurance to make sure you're totally screwed.

There is no way around it, legally you are not permitted to drive unaccompanied on a Learner Permit. The penalties can be stiff: a court appearance and up to €1000 fine, however it is still flaunted since the chance of detection is often low.
All the same reasons were argued when the law was tightened up; there was widespread weeping and gnashing of teeth over how people unqualified to drive could no longer be free to drive around (usually an emotive example of a single mother with 2 kids trying to get her kids to babysitter and drive to minimum wage work). That's despite they were never legally free to do so bar 1 loophole which applied to their 2nd provisional licence only.


BTW, cars with manual transmission are still king here; cars with automatic transmission are more available than 20 years ago but the choice is very limited in comparison. It's probably because automatics tend to be more expensive to buy, more fuel thirsty and have higher emissions ratings which pushes up the annual motor tax.

I suggest you train and pass the driving test in an manual. If you learn in an automatic you will not be licensed to drive the manual, but if you learn in a manual you are licensed to drive both.

Your US licence will allow you drive either in the first 12 months.

Bryan1969

ba_barabus wrote: »

Bryan you sound suspiciously like my landlord who is also moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the states.....

ba_barabus If only I were so lucky to own property at home (an real investment) I'd be delighted. Alas I am not a landlord yours or anyone elses.