Driving after passing test after applying for full licence

AnSliabhCorcra

So, thankfully I passed my test and I’m enjoying the freedom that this entails immediately, even psychologically! Thanks all on here for past words of encouragement etc.

I managed to get myself a little runabout, insured it, taxed it and it came with a valid NCT. Anyway, i try to be as “by the book” as possible and get uneasy driving whilst waiting for my license to come through (I applied at NdLS 4 days ago). In the meantime, I’m not sure if I can drive with proof of having applied for the full license. There is info online on the penalties for driving with a learner permit unaccompanied but not in the scenario of having passed.

I decided to ring the Guards (Cork) who, to my surprise, told me that it is grand to drive but to keep a copy of the receipt for the license in the car and to carry my learner permit!

Just wondered if others experiences?

cantdecide

The law is very tricky in this area. Strictly speaking, it's illegal to drive without a licence and there are lots of reasons why someone wouldn't have one such as the situation you're in now. Think of someone who has their bag or wallet stolen, for example. I think credit is due to the Guards for using a common sense approach as they are the ones with the discretion.

dobman88

You'll be fine. I got stopped 2 days after I passed my test, had all the paperwork with me saying I had passed and was waiting for my licence. I was just told to produce it at the station when it came and that was that.

Congrats and happy motoring

Pixelbastardo

Whats the deal with getting insurance having passed the full test but not having your full licence ?. Can you get insured immediately?

Cows Go µ

Pixelbastardo wrote: »

Whats the deal with getting insurance having passed the full test but not having your full licence ?. Can you get insured immediately?

It depends on the insurer but some will accept the learner permit along with the receipt confirming that the full licence has been applied for. You just have to check with them before taking the policy out

Pixelbastardo

Cows Go µ wrote: »

It depends on the insurer but some will accept the learner permit along with the receipt confirming that the full licence has been applied for. You just have to check with them before taking the policy out

Ok, thanks

iguana

Pixelbastardo wrote: »

Whats the deal with getting insurance having passed the full test but not having your full licence ?. Can you get insured immediately?

I asked in NDLS when I applied for for my full license as my insurance was due for renewal the following week. I was told that I counted as a full licence holder from the day I applied for the licence. Thankfully my licence actually arrived before my new insurance term started but it was dated as being issued on the date of my application, so it should have been fine if it hadn't. (It was a massive saving too as my very high insurance quote more than halved with a full licence.)

Wishbone Ash

cantdecide wrote: »

... it's illegal to drive without a licence and there are lots of reasons why someone wouldn't have one such as the situation you're in now. Think of someone who has their bag or wallet stolen...

There's a big difference between not having a licence and not being able to produce a licence. If your licence was lost/stolen etc. you still have a licence (i.e. you have a unique number which stays with you for life) but may not be able to physically produce it. When you read in court cases about someone driving without a licence, those people never had a licence in the first place.

cantdecide

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

There's a big difference between not having a licence and not being able to produce a licence. If your licence was lost/stolen etc. you still have a licence (i.e. you have a unique number which stays with you for life) but may not be able to physically produce it. When you read in court cases about someone driving without a licence, those people never had a licence in the first place.

Absolutely, however, it's still true that strictly speaking, you are legally obliged to carry a physical licence with you at all times being documentary evidence of your entitlements. The RSA and NDLS will tell you you are legally required to carry a physical licence if you are driving and it will be at the discretion of the guard as to whether you this is pursued or not.

For example, a foreign exchange involves surrendering your foreign licence and can take months to process sometimes as it's reliant on response from the foreign authorities. If you meet a guard on a day and he asks you to produce your licence within ten days and you can't do it, you could end up in court explaining yourself however, it's unlikely action will be taken. That's why for the most part, a guard accepts the NDLS receipt and won't ask you to produce your licence although they are entitled to. That's why I refer to them having a 'common sense' approach.

AnSliabhCorcra

cantdecide wrote: »

Absolutely, however, it's still true that strictly speaking, you are legally obliged to carry a physical licence with you at all times being documentary evidence of your entitlements. The RSA and NDLS will tell you you are legally required to carry a physical licence if you are driving and it will be at the discretion of the guard as to whether you this is pursued or not.

For example, a foreign exchange involves surrendering your foreign licence and can take months to process sometimes as it's reliant on response from the foreign authorities. If you meet a guard on a day and he asks you to produce your licence within ten days and you can't do it, you could end up in court explaining yourself however, it's unlikely action will be taken. That's why for the most part, a guard accepts the NDLS receipt and won't ask you to produce your licence although they are entitled to. That's why I refer to them having a 'common sense' approach.

Yes. I agree. In my case and that of other learners however, we have a physical license to show, it’s just the “wrong one” as the new one is being printed and sent. It is quite a grey area, right enough.