Driving without a licence

magic_murph

May be a stupid question but just wanted to check.
I have recently passed the test, applied for new licence but application contains provisional.
It may be another 3-4 weeks before I get the licence back.

Can I drive without a licence - I know normally if you get stopped you have X amount of days to present it to local guardi station.

Would I get away with showing receipt of application?

Synyster Shadow

Did you get slip of paper sayin you sent off for the licence? If so that covers you till it arrives in the post

GavinFlud

magic_murph wrote: »

Would I get away with showing receipt of application?

I only went through this last October. Took about 3 weeks to get the physical licence sent out. Typical that the one and only time I've encountered a checkpoint was a week later. They asked for my licence, I told them I was waiting for it to be posted and showed them the receipt I got when I sent off for it and they just sent me on my way.

magic_murph

As my luck would have it I have moved house since the whole process started so it's probably sitting in the old house gathering dust - I will have to see what post have arrived.

It does make sense that if you have proof your in the system then you shouldn't have any issues.

I know they received the application on 19th Feb with forms showing new address so maybe it will arrive at the new pad this week - the receipt not the licence. I am optimistic but not foolish :-)

GavinFlud

Of course. Once you have passed your test and applied for (and paid for) your full-licence, the receipt you got will be more than satisfactory for any Garda. After all, it's not like they expect people to just wait a month before driving after passing their test.

magic_murph

Would this work in the UK - thinking of heading over to pick up a jammer.

AltAccount

I wouldn't chance that tbh. UK police reputedly use a lot less discretion than Gardai when it comes to traffic violations.

Your slip of paper wouldn't really hold any international weight, whereas an official driver's licence does.

djimi

magic_murph wrote: »

Would this work in the UK - thinking of heading over to pick up a jammer.

No, Id be amazed if the UK police accepted a receipt in lieu of a drivers license. Wait until you get your license.

magic_murph

Good call - don't want to feature in the next season of Banged up Abroad.