Expired provisional license - do I need to sit theory test again?

TaxPro

Can someone please confirm if my understanding is correct?

I got my provisional license in October 2008, and it subsequently expired in October 2010. As it has been less than 5 years since the EXPIRATION DATE, I do not need to resit the driver theory test and can just apply to renew my current one (provided I do so before October 2015). This will count as my second provisional license/learner permit.

I will also not have to sit the 12 mandatory EDT lessons as I got my first permit before April 2011.

Your help is much appreciated in advance.

ProudDUB

Yep, you are correct on all points.

ckeogh

Taxpro - I literally went through this arseways last weekend.

My licence expired in October 2010, I rang up NDLS support line & was told to treat it as a fresh application, i would need theory test cert from the last 2 years or a new cert entirely, and all normal documentation as well.

I sat my theory again (40/40, done better this time round), went to NDLS, only to be told my application for a permit was rejected as there was a Provisional on the system until October this year.

Very helpful staff wanted the phone support guys name to report it (unfortunately i didn't note)
They also outlined the following for my own circumstances:
- As i hadn't got the actual licence anymore or it's info, i would have to go and get the application form stamped by garda to say it was lost.
- Needed to book a Full Licence test (as it was technically my third provisional licence, don't think you need this for the second one) and bring the proof of that booking (confirmation email) too. they gave me my driver number to do that.
- I would not need to sit the mandatory 12 lessons so that should balance the loss of €45 that was lost to sitting the theory again.

All done & sorted within 30 mins of walk in the following day, just waiting for it in the post now & trying to find some cheap insurance (another nightmare).

cantdecide

ckeogh wrote: »

Very helpful staff wanted the phone support guys name to report it (unfortunately i didn't note)

It's VERY common for people to [be asked to] submit theory tests when they don't need to but that's one of many common examples and trust me if they were to punish everyone involved with the NDLS who get something wrong, didn't know the infinite list of exceptions to the rules or missed an update or alteration to the rules then there would be no one working for the NDLS. The list of rules is endless and mistakes are very definitely made regularly.

ckeogh wrote: »

Needed to book a Full Licence test (as it was technically my third provisional licence, don't think you need this for the second one) and bring the proof of that booking (confirmation email) too. they gave me my driver number to do that.

Correct. Third and subsequent permits need a test application or outcome. If this is the OP's second learner permit then they are fine.

madlad88

Hi,

Just browsing through this forum and came upon this thread,

My provisional licence went out of date 3 years ago this coming August/september and i remember being told that if you do not renew it before it runs out that you have to resit the theory test again.

This is a very hazy subject for mysellf so i was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the matter. I also remember that i lost the original provisional licence sometime ago.

So maybe the best option could be to just start all over again and resit the theory test? i haven't taking any driving lessons either

Thanks in advance,

T

ProudDUB

No, you do not have to start over and redo the theory test. You do, if your learner permit/provisional license has been expired for 5 years or more. But if it only expired 3 years ago, you are fine. Just make an appointment at your local NDLS centre and go in and renew your learner permit. Who ever told you that you have to start over if you don't renew before your learner permit runs out, was talking rubbish.

Was the expired permit, your first ever one? If it was, you are fine. If it was your second permit and you are now applying for your third one, you have to apply to do your driving test before you can get a 3rd learner permit. You don't have to do the actual test, you just have to apply to do it.

madlad88

ProudDUB wrote: »

No, you do not have to start over and redo the theory test. You do, if your learner permit/provisional license has been expired for 5 years or more. But if it only expired 3 years ago, you are fine. Just make an appointment at your local NDLS centre and go in and renew your learner permit. Who ever told you that you have to start over if you don't renew before your learner permit runs out, was talking rubbish.

Was the expired permit, your first ever one? If it was, you are fine. If it was your second permit and you are now applying for your third one, you have to apply to do your driving test before you can get a 3rd learner permit. You don't have to do the actual test, you just have to apply to do it.

Ah brillant that was my first learners permit that expired so im applying for my 2nd one

Thanks for the feedback and saving me 45euro :rolleyes: