US Citizen on Stamp1 need Irish DL

CusackGal

I have had my license in the US for more than 30 years and am allowed to drive here for a year but then I have to revert to a learner permit and it's restrictions until I sit through 12 hours of driver training? Is this correct? Has anyone else from the US been thru this?

cantdecide

You are, in effect having to start from scratch. The only concession is that as someone having held a full licence abroad, won't have to wait 6 months before taking a driving test.

You will have to take a theory test, apply for a learner permit, take 12 lessons, apply for a driving test. See here.

I am you will have to have novice status for 2 years after passing the test meaning that you will have reduced maximum penalty point quota of 7 points rather than and have to wear an 'N' plate for 2 years.

dennyk

Yep, that's correct; you can't exchange a US license for an Irish one, so you do have to go through the whole process like a new driver. I'd recommend starting immediately, as the full process can take several months; it's about a month to book a theory test, another week or two to get your permit so you can start lessons, then probably a month or two for the lessons, unless you can find an instructor with a lot of free time. Then it's about a three month wait to book your test date. Mine took so long that I actually didn't end up needing my letter of exception to skip the six month waiting period after all.

The learner's permit restriction seems to be a bit of a legal grey area when you also hold a valid full foreign license. I've heard arguments on both sides over whether you are still OK to drive per the terms of your foreign license, or whether the learner's permit overrides it. Practically speaking, though, you will probably be fine driving as normal on your foreign license as long as you complete the process for your full Irish license before the 12-month mark; it's unlikely the guards would give you trouble if you have a valid US license to show them should you happen to be stopped, provided all of your other paperwork is in order (motor tax, NCT, and insurance) and you aren't violating any traffic laws or being a dick.

When you do take the lessons, don't just blow them off because you have driving experience; odds are you have picked up some habits over the years that will get you marked on the test. My instructor was quite helpful at correcting a few things during my lessons that definitely helped for my test. The 12 hours is certainly excessive for an experienced driver (would be nice if they'd let us take an accelerated set of lessons over 3-4 hours or something!), but just roll with it and use the time to practice your test-worthy habits with feedback from the instructor, and to get familiar with the driving test routes (which your instructor should be able to show you), which will make the test much easier.

One more thing to keep in mind: if you take the test in an automatic car, your license will have a restriction that limits you to driving automatics. If you can live with that restriction, then don't worry about it; it's not the end of the world like some folks would have you believe. I've driven autos all my life and wasn't really interested in learning manual, so I just bought an automatic car and used that for my lessons and test. Your used car options will be more limited and you'll pay a bit more for a rental, but I don't generally buy a new car till my current one dies, and I only rent one maybe once or twice a year at most, so I don't much care.