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Paper driving licence in the US

  • 02-02-2019 9:18pm
    #1
    funkyfiesta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭


    Hi there,

    I have an old pink paper driving license and am traveling to the US in the spring. I have applied for an IDP so will that help as the pink one is quite tatty? I live in the UK but haven’t exchanged my Irish licence due to potential issues from Brexit.


Comments

  • #2
    JIdontknow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 791 ✭✭✭JIdontknow


    I still use mine in USA. Never had any issues with it with car hire places (never had to produce it for a police officer there).


  • #3
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    Got a few funny looks and reactions like 'really?' trying to get into bars and stuff but once they realised Irish they let it slide as I'd say most yanks would think it beyond us to have a proper one. Never any issues with car hire places, they'll have seen plenty.


  • #4
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,622 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    funkyfiesta wrote: »
    Hi there,

    I have an old pink paper driving license and am traveling to the US in the spring. I have applied for an IDP so will that help as the pink one is quite tatty? I live in the UK but haven’t exchanged my Irish licence due to potential issues from Brexit.

    The IDP is not a substitute for the driving licence, you have to produce both. The purpose of the IDP is to assist in translation when you're in a country which does not use the Latin alphabet. It's basically a scam which makes lots of money for the AA.

    If you're worried that the pink Irish licence won't pass muster, you could 'lose' it and apply for a new licence. Officially, you can now apply within three months of the expiry date.


  • #5
    funkyfiesta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭funkyfiesta


    coylemj wrote: »
    The IDP is not a substitute for the driving licence, you have to produce both. The purpose of the IDP is to assist in translation when you're in a country which does not use the Latin alphabet. It's basically a scam which makes lots of money for the AA.

    If you're worried that the pink Irish licence won't pass muster, you could 'lose' it and apply for a new licence. Officially, you can now apply within three months of the expiry date.


    Yeah the problem I have is living in the UK now. Never drive here, but my licence is very tatty and old looking, also one of the folds is slightly ripped. Was thinking of exchanging for the UK one but was worried with Brexit around the corner and if I move back in a year or so would it be a fruitless exercise?


  • #6
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    coylemj wrote: »
    ... you could 'lose' it and apply for a new licence. ...
    You don't have to 'lose' it. You can apply for a new one if the current one is damaged (many go through the washing machine). It's easier as you don't have to go to a Garda Station and explain how it was lost and get them to do the relevant paperwork.


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  • #7
    funkyfiesta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭funkyfiesta


    Wishbone Ash wrote: »
    You don't have to 'lose' it. You can apply for a new one if the current one is damaged (many go through the washing machine). It's easier as you don't have to go to a Garda Station and explain how it was lost and get them to do the relevant paperwork.


    Do you not have to go through the NDLS centers though, have proof of address, residency etc. ?


  • #8
    Pops_20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 720 ✭✭✭Pops_20


    funkyfiesta wrote: »
    Yeah the problem I have is living in the UK now. Never drive here, but my licence is very tatty and old looking, also one of the folds is slightly ripped. Was thinking of exchanging for the UK one but was worried with Brexit around the corner and if I move back in a year or so would it be a fruitless exercise?

    I had this problem. I was keeping it in my wallet and it got destroyed. Decided to laminate it at work, and now it's good as new :)

    Might as well hang on to it if there's a year or two left before it expires.


  • #9
    El Horseboxo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,341 ✭✭✭El Horseboxo


    Not regular police. But in law enforcement in US and have lived in Ireland. For car rental, will be all good. If stopped by police, you may get some extra attention. But should be fine. For me, federally it is OK. But most local police are not going to understand why it looks like you printed it at home.


  • #10
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,038 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    funkyfiesta wrote: »
    Do you not have to go through the NDLS centers though, have proof of address, residency etc. ?
    You still have the licence when it's damaged so it's a lot easier to replace. If you declare it 'lost' you're back to square one.


  • #11
    NSAman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,454 ✭✭✭NSAman


    Not a problem here in the States. Use mine for car hire still. Must get around to changing it when I am home though...will not let it expire.


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  • #12
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    No matter how hard the border ends up being in the North there will be a need for the UK licence to be recognised here and that will be sorted out very fast. I don't see any down sides in exchanging for a UK licence now but maybe someone could point them out.


  • #13
    funkyfiesta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭funkyfiesta


    tuxy wrote: »
    No matter how hard the border ends up being in the North there will be a need for the UK licence to be recognised here and that will be sorted out very fast. I don't see any down sides in exchanging for a UK licence now but maybe someone could point them out.

    Yeah that’s another thing I was wondering. If I exchange my licence does that affect me driving back in Ireland? I’m a named driver on my partner’s car back home so does the UK one take away your driver number etc?


  • #14
    Neilw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,795 ✭✭✭Neilw


    El Horseboxo wrote: »
    But most local police are not going to understand why it looks like you printed it at home.

    And send you on your merry way with a warning because it's too much hassle for them to figure it out, my experience at least.
    Stopped many times in the USA, always had a valid US license but I would produce the Irish one and get away with it :)


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