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Questions about going to the UK on boat.

  • 19-09-2013 9:32pm
    #1
    BetterThanThou
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 944 ✭✭✭


    I've decided to go on an impromptu trip to the UK with a friends. I'm 16 if it makes a difference, the only ID I've got is an out of date passport and a medical card which is in date. Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'll be going with a friend and his dad, so no family members of mine, I've heard it's recomended to bring ID when traveling to the UK though no passport is required, should I be alright if I just bring my out of date passport and my medical card?


Comments

  • #2
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Things are far more simple on the boat, even going to France I haven't had to show a passport on the last three trips, the cops in Cherbourg and Roscoff just stood there as we drove off the boat. Neither have I ever been asked for ID on the ferry to Holyhead and I've been over several times in the last few years to go to matches in Liverpool with either my brothers or a few lads from work and you'd expect a car load of lads to be stopped now and then.

    On the way back, you might be pulled over in Holyhead by the customs lads but they're just looking for drugs and if you look ok and stop for a friendly chat (i.e. don't look all uptight and keen to get moving), they'll let you go without asking for ID.

    Bring the expired passport and the medical card, you should be fine but you probably won't be stopped.


  • #3
    highlydebased
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,472 ✭✭✭highlydebased


    BetterThanThou wrote: »
    I've decided to go on an impromptu trip to the UK with a friends. I'm 16 if it makes a difference, the only ID I've got is an out of date passport and a medical card which is in date. Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'll be going with a friend and his dad, so no family members of mine, I've heard it's recomended to bring ID when traveling to the UK though no passport is required, should I be alright if I just bring my out of date passport and my medical card?

    You probably won't be needing any ID at all. It won't be checked on the boat.


  • #4
    The Glass Key
    Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭The Glass Key


    Depends how you travel OP, if you are in a car you should be OK but if you travel on the coach then you'll need some form of photo ID.


  • #5
    n97 mini
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    I've had my passport checked at Holyhead and Calais, both times driving.


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    n97 mini wrote: »
    I've had my passport checked at Holyhead and Calais, both times driving.

    In Holyhead, did you have passengers and were they ask for ID?


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  • #7
    LXFlyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,288 ✭✭✭✭LXFlyer


    I've been asked for ID at Holyhead as a foot passenger.

    Do you not have (for example) a CIE photo ID? That will suffice.


  • #8
    n97 mini
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,295 ✭✭✭n97 mini


    coylemj wrote: »
    In Holyhead, did you have passengers and were they ask for ID?

    Yes, and in Calais too.


  • #9
    Losty Dublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,258 ✭✭✭✭Losty Dublin


    While the Common Border applies to Irish citizens and citizens of the EU have rights to travel without a passport, this doesn't apply to citizens of non EEA countries so some checks can be expected. It's also reasonable for a ferry company to check ID's of passengers so you should be prepared to have something on you, even a school or travel pass would be useful.


  • #10
    The Glass Key
    Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭The Glass Key


    I've also found time of day and week for the crossing makes a bid difference. Off peak times like Tuesday night during school term time when I often travel there is no one stopping any of the 20 cars that are on the ferry. But on a full ferry day time "cruise" the customs are always out checking.


  • #11
    Isotonik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 ✭Isotonik


    Taking out of date identification is utterly pointless as if you're going to be asked for it then it's most likely the first thing they'll point out. No formal ID (passport for instance) is required when travelling between Ireland and the UK. If you're driving then you should have your licence on you anyway. If not and you're asked to produce something then a bank card would I'm sure suffice.

    Factors such as the time of day or week, your age or whether it's sunny or not don't come into it.


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  • #12
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Isotonik wrote: »
    Taking out of date identification is utterly pointless as if you're going to be asked for it then it's most likely the first thing they'll point out.

    In the case of a passport or driving licence, I'd disagree. You don't cease to be the person named on your passport or driving licence on the date it expires so I'd have no problem bringing such a document with me when travelling to the UK. You're presenting it simply as a means of identification, same as a bus pass or employee id card. A lot of acceptable forms of identification such as a employee card have no expiry date so it would be ridiculous to refuse to accept an expired pasport or driving licence in preference to an employee card with no expiration date.


  • #13
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    BetterThanThou wrote: »
    I've decided to go on an impromptu trip to the UK with a friends. I'm 16 if it makes a difference, the only ID I've got is an out of date passport and a medical card which is in date. Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'll be going with a friend and his dad, so no family members of mine, I've heard it's recomended to bring ID when traveling to the UK though no passport is required, should I be alright if I just bring my out of date passport and my medical card?
    You may require written consent from parents/guardians to leave the country and it would be no harm to bring your E111 card with you in case you needed medical assistance.


  • #14
    Spook_ie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    BetterThanThou wrote: »
    I've decided to go on an impromptu trip to the UK with a friends. I'm 16 if it makes a difference, the only ID I've got is an out of date passport and a medical card which is in date. Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'll be going with a friend and his dad, so no family members of mine, I've heard it's recomended to bring ID when traveling to the UK though no passport is required, should I be alright if I just bring my out of date passport and my medical card?

    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_abroad/freedom_of_movement_within_the_eu/common_travel_area_between_ireland_and_the_uk.html

    There's a list of acceptable photo ids under that link


  • #15
    Santa Cruz
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,126 ✭✭✭Santa Cruz


    If you are non white you probably will be stopped at Dun Laoghaire, North Wall and Holyhead


  • #16
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Isotonik wrote: »
    Taking out of date identification is utterly pointless as if you're going to be asked for it then it's most likely the first thing they'll point out.

    This poster uses an expired Irish passport all over Italy as ID, he recently lost it so he posted on the Travel forum today....
    Neil3030 wrote: »
    I'm an Irish citizen living in Italy. 2 days ago, I lost my cancelled passport while on a trip to Venice. I bring it with me when I travel within Italy as a form of ID for hotels, checks etc.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057044979


  • #17
    happywithlife
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,324 ✭✭✭happywithlife


    BetterThanThou wrote: »
    I've decided to go on an impromptu trip to the UK with a friends. I'm 16 if it makes a difference, the only ID I've got is an out of date passport and a medical card which is in date. Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'll be going with a friend and his dad, so no family members of mine, I've heard it's recomended to bring ID when traveling to the UK though no passport is required, should I be alright if I just bring my out of date passport and my medical card?

    I'd bring a copy of your birth cert and maybe a letter of consent from your parents to give to the other lads dad? With a copy of their current passport or drivers licence. Mightn't be worth much or legally be of much use but it wouldn't do any harm either
    Enjoy the trip


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