Driving requirments for visitors

robp

To my knowledge a US citizen does not need an Irish licence or any international driving licence when visiting Ireland for less than 12 months. What if that person had come after 12 months in France or in Germany? Would they then need a Irish licence or any international driving licence?

Alanstrainor

robp wrote: »

To my knowledge a US citizen does not need an Irish licence or any international driving licence when visiting Ireland for less than 12 months. What if that person had come after 12 months in France or in Germany? Would they then need a Irish licence or any international driving licence?

Moved to the main motors forum, you should get a better response here.

I would think that spending time in another country wont affect anything here, they could have been anywhere before and come here and drive is what I would have thought.

ironclaw

robp wrote: »

To my knowledge a US citizen does not need an Irish licence or any international driving licence when visiting Ireland for less than 12 months. What if that person had come after 12 months in France or in Germany? Would they then need a Irish licence or any international driving licence?

Unless they swapped for a German or French license, then no. The requirement would still stand as far as I'm aware. It doesn't matter where you came from or how, the piece of paper in your hand is a US license and its stated here that you need to change for an Irish one if you intend on staying here.

How many people actually change however is debatable. Few I'd say.

robp

ironclaw wrote: »

Unless they swapped for a German or French license, then no. The requirement would still stand as far as I'm aware. It doesn't matter where you came from or how, the piece of paper in your hand is a US license and its stated here that you need to change for an Irish one if you intend on staying here.

How many people actually change however is debatable. Few I'd say.

I guess what I am really asking is would the 12 months change to 0 months? Sorry if you have already answered this.

ironclaw

robp wrote: »

I guess what I am really asking is would the 12 months change to 0 months? Sorry if you have already answered this.

Well, how is anyone going to know where you've come from? And how long you were there? They won't.

As far as I'm aware, there is no legal requirement for you to change your licence. But, and again I may be wrong, I believe within the EU for EU citizens there is. I'm fully open to correction on that. I know plenty of people driving in Ireland and on the continent for many years with zero issues. At the end of the day, you have proven in some country that you have the ability to drive. Provided the country you are in recognises that counties standard, then your above board.

That said insurance companies will most likely load you for having a foreign license and one from outside the EU. I'd check with them first.

Marcusm

ironclaw wrote: »

Well, how is anyone going to know where you've come from? And how long you were there? They won't.

As far as I'm aware, there is no legal requirement for you to change your licence. But, and again I may be wrong, I believe within the EU for EU citizens there is. I'm fully open to correction on that. I know plenty of people driving in Ireland and on the continent for many years with zero issues. At the end of the day, you have proven in some country that you have the ability to drive. Provided the country you are in recognises that counties standard, then your above board.

That said insurance companies will most likely load you for having a foreign license and one from outside the EU. I'd check with them first.

Indeed you are; a non EEA licence holder can only drive in Ireland for 12 months after which their entitlement lapses. Certain countries (Aus, NZ etc) have concluded agreements which allow a direct swap. For other countries, it's back to a learner permit, theory test, practical driving test etc. An EEA licence holder may drive under their home country licence until it expires at which time they can swap it for an Irish one.

US people in Ireland very definitely need to take a driving test etc. The rules are national ones so I would expect that they apply from arriving in Ireland for a trip of expected duration of greater than 12 months. A new arrival can only apply for an Irish learner's permit having lived here for 6 months.

robp

That is very helpful. Thanks all for that advice.

roadsmart

It doesn't matter where the licence holder has been for the last 6 months, year or 10 years. He/she is entitled to drive for up to 12 months in this jurisdiction on a valid US licence.

keithclancy

roadsmart wrote: »

It doesn't matter where the licence holder has been for the last 6 months, year or 10 years. He/she is entitled to drive for up to 12 months in this jurisdiction on a valid US licence.

Depends on whether your visit is temporary or not.

If your visit is not temporary you need to get a license immediately:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/exchanging_foreign_driving_permit.html

Holders of driving licences from other countries
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 complete a driver theory test, apply for a learner driving permit and complete your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you will be issued with a full Irish driving licence.

The 1 year rule applies for tourists, not permanent residents.

Pretty much the same rule in Germany and the Netherlands also.

roadsmart

keithclancy wrote: »

Depends on whether your visit is temporary or not.

If your visit is not temporary you need to get a license immediately:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/exchanging_foreign_driving_permit.html



The 1 year rule applies for tourists, not permanent residents.

Pretty much the same rule in Germany and the Netherlands also.

The question was for a us licence holder "visiting Ireland for less than 12 months".
Sometimes it helps to read the thread first.

keithclancy

roadsmart wrote: »

The question was for a us licence holder "visiting Ireland for less than 12 months".
Sometimes it helps to read the thread first.

Was just correcting your post, but also providing a link to the OP

roadsmart

You were incorrectly correcting my post, but well done anyway.