Driving while drivers licence is lost.

JackieChang

I've just come back from holiday and realized that my drivers licence is missing from my wallet. It's nowhere to be found so it's probably lying on a beach or pub somewhere overseas.

Obviously I need to apply for a new one. Is it illegal for me to drive to the NDLS centre?!

Alanstrainor

You'll have to go to the garda station first...

https://www.ndls.ie/how-to-apply.html#to-apply-for-a-replacement-of-a-lost-or-stolen-driving-licence

I'd say you'll be fine driving, you are still licensed, you just have lost your license.

JackieChang

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You'll have to go to the garda station first...

https://www.ndls.ie/how-to-apply.html#to-apply-for-a-replacement-of-a-lost-or-stolen-driving-licence

I'd say you'll be fine driving, you are still licensed, you just have lost your license.

I have to go to the NDLS first to pick up the form. Then bring it to the guards.

I just want to know for sure if I'm OK to drive with no physical licence.

Alanstrainor

JackieChang wrote: »

I have to go to the NDLS first to pick up the form. Then bring it to the guards.

I just want to know for sure if I'm OK to drive with no physical licence.

You can just print the form...

Citizens information says you must carry it

It is a requirement in Ireland that you carry your driving licence or learner permit with you at all times when driving.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/replacing_a_lost_or_stolen_irish_driving_licence.html

Alanstrainor

Deleted User wrote: »

Citizens information says you must carry it



http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/replacing_a_lost_or_stolen_irish_driving_licence.html

That doesn't really answer the question though. There are times where you will be without a license. Such as when applying for a renewal where you must forfeit your existing license and wait for the new one to arrive. And in the OP's situation. I still say that this will be fine.

So long as the OP is driving with everything else in order, I can't see any garda taking much issue with this. Get the form stamped, and submit it to ndls asap and keep whatever receipt you get from them as proof and all will be good.

tcawley29

Usually a garda gives you 10 days to produce if you do get stopped. If you explain your case I'm sure you'll be grand unless they don't like you for some reason

jimgoose

Your entitlement to drive is unaffected by the absence of the physical representation of it, i.e. the license artifact. It's like the difference between the driver number and the stock number on the license. It is, as has been pointed out, an offence to drive without the license artifact with you, but that is a different thing and it would be a particularly thick bastard of a Garda indeed that would bother you with it in these circumstances. Drive on.

_Brian

JackieChang wrote: »

I've just come back from holiday and realized that my drivers licence is missing from my wallet. It's nowhere to be found so it's probably lying on a beach or pub somewhere overseas.

Obviously I need to apply for a new one. Is it illegal for me to drive to the NDLS centre?!

Apply for new license, take copy of application etc.
Drive away and keep proof your applying for a replacement with you until you get the replacement back.

Unless they have issue to pull you up for another reason the guards will be fine with that.

GarIT

It is a road traffic offence to drive a vehicle without your licence with you in the vehicle. So by the book no you are not permitted to drive at the moment. This is almost never enforced though and the standard practice is you would be asked to bring your licence to the station within 10 days.

jimgoose

GarIT wrote: »

It is a road traffic offence to drive a vehicle without your licence with you in the vehicle. So by the book no you are not permitted to drive at the moment...

This is true, but note that it is not the same offence as driving without a license.

EdgeCase

You should apply for a new one and keep evidence that you have applied in your car / on your person while driving. That at least gives you evidence that you can present to any Garda.

power pants

Cant find my license the last 10 years, never get asked at check points so I’m in no rush to bother getting a replacement

gozunda

power pants wrote: »

Cant find my license the last 10 years, never get asked at check points so I’m in no rush to bother getting a replacement

Licenses remain valid for 10 years after which you must renew. Leave it too long and you'll be resiting the driving test from scratch....

http://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/News/2015/DRIVERS-URGED-TO-CHECK-THEIR-LICENCES-HAVE-NOT-EXPIRED/

tcawley29

power pants wrote: »

Cant find my license the last 10 years, never get asked at check points so I’m in no rush to bother getting a replacement

Thats fairly stupid advice to be honest. You are supposed to carry a license with you at all times when driving a motor vehicle in Ireland.
Although a garda does not enforce this and lets people off with the requirement to present it at their local station in 10 days, you could meet the one who will penalize you for not having it.
The OP's case is different here where they have generally lost it and are looking to replace it.
You're just being cheap again.
Also you are aware that a class b license is only valid for 10 years before it has to be renewed right? For all you know you could be currently be driving with an expired license

power pants

tcawley29 wrote: »

Thats fairly stupid advice to be honest. You are supposed to carry a license with you at all times when driving a motor vehicle in Ireland.
Although a garda does not enforce this and lets people off with the requirement to present it at their local station in 10 days, you could meet the one who will penalize you for not having it.
The OP's case is different here where they have generally lost it and are looking to replace it.
You're just being cheap again.
Also you are aware that a class b license is only valid for 10 years before it has to be renewed right? For all you know you could be currently be driving with an expired license

Wasn’t advice, just giving my experience on the matter

My license is valid until 2022 due to a clerical error

tcawley29

power pants wrote: »

Wasn’t advice, just giving my experience on the matter

My license is valid until 2022 due to a clerical error

How will you know when to replace this on the date it does expire?
The year is a very very rough guideline to be going off

CrankyHaus

tcawley29 wrote: »

Thats fairly stupid advice to be honest. You are supposed to carry a license with you at all times when driving a motor vehicle in Ireland.
Although a garda does not enforce this and lets people off with the requirement to present it at their local station in 10 days, you could meet the one who will penalize you for not having it.
The OP's case is different here where they have generally lost it and are looking to replace it.
You're just being cheap again.
Also you are aware that a class b license is only valid for 10 years before it has to be renewed right? For all you know you could be currently be driving with an expired license

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for not having a license on them while driving, after they presented it within 10 days?


I thought it raised constitutional concerns when the law was brought in, as it was similar to a national mandatory ID requirement, and the AG advised Gardaí not to prosecute as long as the license was presented within 10 days.

tcawley29

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for not having a license on them while driving, after they presented it within 10 days?


I thought it raised constitutional concerns when the law was brought in, as it was similar to a national mandatory ID requirement, and the AG advised Gardaí not to prosecute as long as the license was presented within 10 days.

I believe this is what the whole 10 days thing is for.

I think a summons is issued if the license is not presented in 10 days however

power pants

tcawley29 wrote: »

How will you know when to replace this on the date it does expire?
The year is a very very rough guideline to be going off

Can remember the month I passed but more than likely get it renewed before 2022

JackieChang

When I was at the Garda station today to get the form signed I asked about driving without a licence. He just rattled off a sentence that seemed word for word from the Garda manual "If a drivers licence cannot be produced you must present it at a station within 10 days". Didn't really seem to be bothered although I was hoping he'd say "Ah shir it'll be grand".

I guess it depends on the Guard. Either way, in my 10+ years of driving I've never been asked for my drivers licence. Even when I crashed my car.

tcawley29

JackieChang wrote: »

When I was at the Garda station today to get the form signed I asked about driving without a licence. He just rattled off a sentence that seemed word for word from the Garda manual "If a drivers licence cannot be produced you must present it at a station within 10 days". Didn't really seem to be bothered although I was hoping he'd say "Ah shir it'll be grand".

I guess it depends on the Guard. Either way, in my 10+ years of driving I've never been asked for my drivers licence. Even when I crashed my car.

Yeah I've only been asked once/maybe twice in my 7 years but never had an issue as I've always carried it.