Driving licence expiring at midnight - can I drive with NDLS letter?

TripleAce

Hi,

I am in the process of converting an EU Licence into and Irish licence. I went to the NDLS office a couple of weeks ago and my application could not be processed as my driving licence was damaged, so I had to get a letter from the authorities + official translation confirming that the licence is valid + stamp from the Garda. I did so and returned today, my application was approved and now I have wait between 3 and 6 weeks before I receive the driving licence.
NDLS attached a letter confirming that the request is being process but wouldn't state that I can/cannot drive and I should check with the Garda/insurance. They also gave a photocopy of my EU driving licence.

Unfortunately this afternoon my insurance office is closed, so I cannot call to check...my question is, would they usually cover a driver in these situations?

Second question, would the Garda issue me a fine if they stop me? If yes, how much?

I am honestly more concerned about the insurance side, if somebody can advise it would be much appreciated

Thank you!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Simple answer, yes. You can drive. You have insurance which is not dependant on you holding a current licence only on the basis that you have held a licence to cover the vehicle in question within the last 5 years (some companies allow 10 years) and your current licence is with the authorities being processed. Just carry some other form of ID with you and you'll be fine.

coylemj

As above, the licence expiring does not cause your insurance cover to lapse. The only thing that will invalidate your insurance is if you are disqualified from driving through a conviction for drink driving or some other serious motoring offence at which point your insurance cover comes to a halt.

There is no 5 years or 10 years limit, all the insurance companies care is that (1) you 'hold or have held' a licence at some stage and (2) you are not disqualified.

savagethegoat

you do hold a license then, you just don't have the document they issue you with to prove it.? You should be OK I think

Vic_08

What date do NDLS put on licences, The date of application or the date they get around to printing the thing?

Either way as you are exchanging a valid licence for another the switchover date should be the same day.

Cee-Jay-Cee

coylemj wrote: »

There is no 5 years or 10 years limit, all the insurance companies care is that (1) you 'hold or have held' a licence at some stage and (2) you are not disqualified.

There is with some companies. 10 years clearly stated in the policy booklet with my insurance company and many other companies are the same.

Del2005

coylemj wrote: »

There is no 5 years or 10 years limit, all the insurance companies care is that (1) you 'hold or have held' a licence at some stage and (2) you are not disqualified.

The 5 and 10 years are nothing to do with insurance. If your licence is expired 10 years it's void and IIRC any endorsement not on your licence for 5 years is lost.