Emergency Driving Licence?

chillywilly

I'm due to rent a car in the states in 2 weeks time and have lost my drivers licence.

Anyone know if they will issue one for me over the counter or in a very short space of time? It will be the Dublin CC office i will be going to.

Del2005

Drivers licences aren't done in house any more. They are all sent offsite for printing and dispatch

markc1184

I needed a replacement urgently recently for my insurance company after being in an accident. Tried ringing and emailing to see was there anyway I could get one ASAP but was told there was nothing that could be done to speed it up and that there was a minimum 5 week backlog of applications they were trying to get through.

chillywilly

The motor tax office said I wouldn't get my licence before I go but they are sending me a letter stating my licence is valid. Has anyone any experience renting a car abroad in ths kind of situation? I'm hoping they will give the car with the letter and proof of my flight home and passport but not holding my breath!

ironclaw

chillywilly wrote: »

The motor tax office said I wouldn't get my licence before I go but they are sending me a letter stating my licence is valid. Has anyone any experience renting a car abroad in ths kind of situation? I'm hoping they will give the car with the letter and proof of my flight home and passport but not holding my breath!

Seriously doubt it. American's are 'by the book' to say the least and if you don't have a physical license then you don't have one in their eyes. Anyone could print a letter from the Dept. of Transport (And granted, you could probably print an old Irish license too :rolleyes: )

Would probably be better to go to the rental agency here (Assuming they are in Ireland) and see what they can do for you. They may be able to add a notation to your booking to waiver the lack of license. Whatever you do, don't just turn up on the day.

CiniO

I strongly doubt any rental company would give out a car without seeing a licence.
I suppose all around the world there isn't any countries whose citizens would be forced to stay without a licence for more than day or two.
Ireland must be the only exception, so barely anyone in any rental company can imagine that there is a country out there in the west of Europe, where government is forcing it's citizens to be without a licence for several weeks or months.

Pawwed Rig

chillywilly wrote: »

Anyone know if they will issue one for me over the counter or in a very short space of time? It will be the Dublin CC office i will be going to.

I asked someone who works in driving licences your question and he advised going into the office with proof of travel today and they should be able to get it to you next week sometime. Get in there ASAP.

chillywilly

Just saw this last night, PM Sent:)

BohsCeltic

Do you have a copy of your licence ? Maybe an international one might be processed quicker

goz83

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Do you have a copy of your licence ? Maybe an international one might be processed quicker

What?

BohsCeltic

goz83 wrote: »

What?

You've never heard of an international driving licence ? I'd imagine they would be much quicker to process

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

galwayjohn89

BohsCeltic wrote: »

You've never heard of an international driving licence ? I'd imagine they would be much quicker to process

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

They're only valid with your Irish license

Del2005

BohsCeltic wrote: »

You've never heard of an international driving licence ? I'd imagine they would be much quicker to process

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

You missed this part from your link

You are still required to produce your own licence for inspection when hiring a car overseas; an IDP should be seen as a translation of your driving licence and not a replacement.

ironclaw

Vuzuggu wrote: »

They're only valid with your Irish license

To be honest I had one in the States and they didn't care, both rental agency's and police. It more of an AA thing than a widely accepted and looked for document. Good to have but I not necessary. It also does not double as a driving license.

BohsCeltic

Vuzuggu wrote: »

They're only valid with your Irish license

Pretty pointless then although it looks a lot better than the old piece of pink paper, i presumed you could just produce that and not have to carry both

galwayjohn89

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Pretty pointless then although it looks a lot better than the old piece of pink paper, i presumed you could just produce that and not have to carry both

The IDD is pointless. Even more fake looking then the Irish licence. I bought one the day Florida brought in the law a week later the law was withdrawn. The IDD is a book filled in with pen and a photo glued onto it. There is no point to it.

BohsCeltic

Vuzuggu wrote: »

The IDD is pointless. Even more fake looking then the Irish licence. I bought one the day Florida brought in the law a week later the law was withdrawn. The IDD is a book filled in with pen and a photo glued onto it. There is no point to it.

I thought it was like the new licence, i'm sure its better than the current state of mine

Naked Lepper

i need an emergency one
is there anything they will do for me if i go to the tax office tomorrow morning first thing will all forms etc

i am leaving country in 5 working days and need my licence for car rental! should have checked expiry date earlier i know..... HELP!!

ironclaw

Naked Lepper wrote: »

i need an emergency one
is there anything they will do for me if i go to the tax office tomorrow morning first thing will all forms etc

i am leaving country in 5 working days and need my licence for car rental! should have checked expiry date earlier i know..... HELP!!

As above, all the driving stuff is out sourced so the tax office won't help. Best bet is to get ringing around the Dept. of Transport / Tax office and you might be able to get one rushed. I wouldn't hold your breath however.

cullenswood

I forgot my license going to Spain this year.
Rental company were fine about it...."your problem if you are stopped by police"...was the exact quote.
I phoned up my local tax office the next day and they just needed a faxed letter stating the situation and they sent through a return fax stating I held a licence and all my details etc.
This would placate most police I'm sure

Del2005

cullenswood wrote: »

I forgot my license going to Spain this year.
Rental company were fine about it...."your problem if you are stopped by police"...was the exact quote.
I phoned up my local tax office the next day and they just needed a faxed letter stating the situation and they sent through a return fax stating I held a licence and all my details etc.
This would placate most police I'm sure

I'm not sure I'd risk it. Anyone could fax you a letter and a Spanish cop, or most other countries, aren't going to ring international an international number to find out if your licence is valid or not, as again they don't know who they are ringing.

Then there could be insurance issues with not carrying a valid licence while driving.

ironclaw

Del2005 wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd risk it. Anyone could fax you a letter and a Spanish cop, or most other countries, aren't going to ring international an international number to find out if your licence is valid or not, as again they don't know who they are ringing.

Then there could be insurance issues with not carrying a valid licence while driving.

Its also against the law in Spain not to have ID on you which for us is a passport or drivers license, as we don't have national ID. They do however accept a photocopy of either that has a Garda Station stamp on it.