Holding 2 drivers licences?

Frank Bullitt

Im home for a bit and was going to get my Irish drivers licence re-issued to me. I live in Canada and had to submit my full license in order to get the ball rolling over there.

Now that I am home, I can go into the NDLS and ask for a replacement.

Just wondering if this is actually ok, as its dawned on me that I remembered in the U.S at least, you can't hold 2 drivers licences from 2 different states, but America is a bit backwards so am wondering will I have any issues?

Thanks

Vic_08

According to NDLS only Ontario or Manitoba licences can be exchanged so assuming yours is BC it is not valid for a swap. If it was then you would have to relinquish it but as it is no good for that then your only option seems to be a re-issue of your Irish licence providing it is less than 10 years since it expired OR since you swapped it in Canada if they sent the original back here to be cancelled.

Frank Bullitt

B.C just this past summer are now doing straight swaps for a full licence now.

Mine was not 2 years old at the time so they only gave me an L, but the new swap can be retro activated so I will do that once I am a resident, as they are reluctant to issue a licence to someone with less than 6 months left on a visa.

Its mainly for convince sake for getting an irish one, I am home at least once or twice a year, and the B.C L licence I don't think would work for me to get insured on my mams car. So getting the irish one re-issued and leaving it here is the main idea.

colm_c

The only way to hold two licenses is to pass the test in two jurisdictions, i.e. pass the test in Ireland and pass the test in Canada.

This is what a friend of mine did -- took the test in Canada instead of swapping the license.

Frank Bullitt

With the new exchange that B.C and Ireland agreed on, you don't need to take a test, its a straight swap like they do for the U.K and for Australia.

I think I will chance it anyway, worst they can say is no.

Del2005

Gintonious wrote: »

With the new exchange that B.C and Ireland agreed on, you don't need to take a test, its a straight swap like they do for the U.K and for Australia.

I think I will chance it anyway, worst they can say is no.

BC would/should have contacted the RSA to validate your licence. You can only hold one now since you only passed the test in Ireland and exchanged it, if you get an new Irish licence you'll have to give them your BC licence. If you'd sat the test in BC than you could have two, thought still technically illegal.

colm_c

Del2005 wrote: »

BC would/should have contacted the RSA to validate your licence. You can only hold one now since you only passed the test in Ireland and exchanged it, if you get an new Irish licence you'll have to give them your BC licence. If you'd sat the test in BC than you could have two, thought still technically illegal.

Why would it be technically illegal? Is there some international law?

pete4130

Gintonious wrote: »

With the new exchange that B.C and Ireland agreed on, you don't need to take a test, its a straight swap like they do for the U.K and for Australia.

I think I will chance it anyway, worst they can say is no.

I didn't have to hand in my Irish licence to get my Australian licence 5 years ago. At the time I was on a 1 year visa so they may not take it in that instance. 5 years later I still have both licences and renew my Australian one every year.

Frank Bullitt

I settled on just doing with the BC licence, I still have to retro activate my conversion my Irish to BC licence, which I will do once I am a resident.

From what I gather, its a simple swap back if/when I come back.