Have to surrender old licence when applying for new one?

AlexisM

If you go along in person to the NDLS, can you keep your old licence while the new one is being processed? I travel every couple of weeks for work and hire cars while I'm away so I really can't be without a licence for weeks at a time. I would presume (hope...), that they let you hold onto it as it is a legal requirement to have it with you when you drive. NDLS website doesn't help - just says you need it as part of your application but doesn't say whether they hold on to it. Thanks.

jayok

Unfortunately not, your original license is submitted along with the applications forms.

However, if you were to "lose" your license you couldn't submit it.... ahem.

CiniO

AlexisM wrote: »

If you go along in person to the NDLS, can you keep your old licence while the new one is being processed? I travel every couple of weeks for work and hire cars while I'm away so I really can't be without a licence for weeks at a time. I would presume (hope...), that they let you hold onto it as it is a legal requirement to have it with you when you drive. NDLS website doesn't help - just says you need it as part of your application but doesn't say whether they hold on to it. Thanks.

You need to submit your licence with application, which effectively in your case might prevent you from being able to work or travel.

However if you by accident loose your licence, all you need to do is to fill appropriate forms signed by gardai, and then you don't need to submit your licence with application for new one.
This obviously won't be much help, but if luckily just before you travel you accidentally find your licence you lost, this might help I suppose

jayok

^^^ Wish I'd thought of that :pac:

CiniO

jayok wrote: »

^^^ Wish I'd thought of that :pac:

Apologies for stealing your idea.
I just didn't see your post before I wrote mine.
:cool:

jayok

CiniO wrote: »

Apologies for stealing your idea.
I just didn't see your post before I wrote mine.
:cool:

Ha - I'm only messing and being cheeky! I like your thinking and we'd both gave the OP a useful scenario!

AlexisM

Thank you both for the, ahem, advice... It does seem bizarre that it is a legal requirement to have your licence with you while you're driving and yet it gets taken off you for several weeks while it's being renewed.
Does anyone know how long renewals (Dublin) are taking at the moment? I know last autumn it was over 6 weeks but hopefully that has reduced now. Thanks again.

Thetruthking

wow that is a crazy situation

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

would also like to know the current waiting time for a licence

applied in kildare over 2 weeks ago and im still waiting on my learner permit !

jayok

I applied through Santry on the 24th March April and my license was delivered to me on the 8th April. So 10 working days for me.

djimi

AlexisM wrote: »

It does seem bizarre that it is a legal requirement to have your licence with you while you're driving and yet it gets taken off you for several weeks while it's being renewed.

The problem is with the fact that they have a very small minded view of why people need a drivers license. In terms of the legal situation in this country, the license center will give you a receipt, which will be perfectly fine in lieu of a license while driving in this country. It obviously hasnt occured to anyone though that people might need their actual license for renting cars abroad etc.