UK license to Irish license - how long?

Rashers72

Have an old style paper UK license and want to change it for an Irish photocard new one. Have an appointment booked with NDLS for 3 weeks (earliest date in Dublin), but wondering how long it takes to receive new one? Have emailed NDLS but no reply yet. Thanks in advance.

ProudDUB

They'll tell you at the NDLS centre that you should have it in approx 2 weeks. It may take less than that, or it may take longer. It's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string really. When the plastic learner permits first came out, the delays were terrible. The horror stories posted here, often told of people having to wait months for their permit. But the delays are no where near as bad now.

Rashers72

Thanks. I need it for a holiday. Time between appointment and flight is 17 days. Would be a real problem if I did not have it. If I simply turned up at Santry first thing Sat i.e. walk in, would I have to wait long to get seen? Approx!

ProudDUB

Yes, the NDLS centres keep a few slots for walk ins. That is what I would do if I were you tbh. Go as early as you can, as there will be a lot of people there with the very same idea as you. They may or may or not see you first thing in the morning, but the worst case scenario is that they'll give you a time slot for later in the day.

Rashers72

Just to update all. It took me 2 weeks to change my UK license from turning up one Saturday morning at a driving license centre to receiving my new Irish license. Pretty quick if you ask me!