Driving licence renewal, eyesight and covid?

theguzman

My license expires in March, what is the procedure for renewing it? I know it outsourced to the NDLS.

What is the procedure? Do I have to go in and sit an eye sight test? I have just category B and W on my licence. I am shortsighted Myopia and wear glasses since around 2008 1 year passing my initial test way back in 2007. My eye sight actually improved since as I spend far far less time in front of a monitor since.

I want to keep mention of the glasses off my license since it is an excuse for insurance companies to gouge me even more. If there is an eyesight test then I can pop in contact lenses as much as I hate them.

Or with covid and cocooning can I send in a photo and get out a new license.

If I renew early in Feb will my new licence run until Feb 2031 ?

fritzelly

Just get the test - wearing glasses does not affect premiums

Whereas not declaring an eyesight issue would be problematic

Mjolnir

theguzman wrote: »

My license expires in March, what is the procedure for renewing it? I know it outsourced to the NDLS.

What is the procedure? Do I have to go in and sit an eye sight test? I have just category B and W on my licence. I am shortsighted Myopia and wear glasses since around 2008 1 year passing my initial test way back in 2007. My eye sight actually improved since as I spend far far less time in front of a monitor since.

I want to keep mention of the glasses off my license since it is an excuse for insurance companies to gouge me even more. If there is an eyesight test then I can pop in contact lenses as much as I hate them.

Or with covid and cocooning can I send in a photo and get out a new license.

If I renew early in Feb will my new licence run until Feb 2031 ?

No eye sight test to renew as long as you're below a certain age and its not already mentioned on your licence.
You can renew through the ndls website if you have a mygov.ie verified account.

punisher5112

If you have the public service card with photo on it you can renew online anyway...


If you don't add about glasses and found out you will have more to worry about.
I don't see how they would load you for it but then wouldn't be surprised either.....
Shop around anyway.

Mjolnir

punisher5112 wrote: »

If you have the public service card with photo on it you can renew online anyway...


If you don't add about glasses and found out you will have more to worry about.
I don't see how they would load you for it but then wouldn't be surprised either.....
Shop around anyway.

I've never been asked by an insurance company if I need glasses and I drive a car and ride a bike.

I've never understood people that need glasses to drive not wanting it on their licence only matters if caught driving without them.

theguzman

Mjolnir wrote: »

No eye sight test to renew as long as you're below a certain age and its not already mentioned on your licence.
You can renew through the ndls website if you have a mygov.ie verified account.

I don't have a mygovid account, can I just take a selfie on the phone and do it that way? I don't really want to drive the 70kms to my licence centre either which would make this appealing.

Mjolnir

theguzman wrote: »

I don't have a mygovid account, can I just take a selfie on the phone and do it that way? I don't really want to drive the 70kms to my licence centre either which would make this appealing.

Nope you're sol on that one mate they need a mechanism to prove its you.

theguzman

Mjolnir wrote: »

Nope you're sol on that one mate they need a mechanism to prove its you.

Say I can create a mygovid and then get it verified (something I'm not keen on) what happens then?

How do I get mygovid verified and and what is the exact procedure, the photo on my Public Services Card is around 7 years old now.

I renewed my daughter's learner permit online yesterday. If you sign up for a myGov verified ID and you can do it all online in five minutes, no need to attend anywhere.

I did notice one of the questions was if eyesight has improved since last licence was issued. Basically, if it has, and you want any previous reference to glasses removed, you have to submit a new eye sight test report.

Mjolnir

theguzman wrote: »

Say I can create a mygovid and then get it verified (something I'm not keen on) what happens then?

How do I get mygovid verified and and what is the exact procedure, the photo on my Public Services Card is around 7 years old now.

Takes a whole two minutes to get it verified over the phone. Go onto the mygov website there is a number ring ask to verify.

I've honestly no idea why you're 'not keen to' you realise they have all this information already. You can do several things with it that makes life easier.

Anyway log in get a authentication code via text type it in follow on screen instructions takes a few min.
They used an old pic for me not sure actually if its off the psc card must check.

Cross posted.

To get a verified MyGov ID just involves an email address, your PPS number and your PSC card.

You can verifiy the MyGov ID online if your details are already in the NDLS database - if not, they post out a code for you to verify online or you can verify over the phone.

Then you can access various gov services (NDLS, Welfare.ie, Revenue, Childcare Scheme etc) online.

theguzman

Deleted User wrote: »

I renewed my daughter's learner permit online yesterday. If you sign up for a myGov verified ID and you can do it all online in five minutes, no need to attend anywhere.

I did notice one of the questions was if eyesight has improved since last licence was issued. Basically, if it has, and you want any previous reference to glasses removed, you have to submit a new eye sight test report.

Whats the procedure for the myGov verified ID account? Do you need to go to the local dole office to get verified or what?

Mjolnir

theguzman wrote: »

Whats the procedure for the myGov verified ID account? Do you need to go to the local dole office to get verified or what?

No if you've got a card go log in or create an account on the site then call the number on it they'll ask for card no. And I think pps, d.o.b etc then you'll get a text code to input and done.

Don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I have my driving license a while, and i recently went to get a learner permit for a motorbike.

When getting the learner permit i wasn't sure if i'd need an eye test done, so I asked while in with NDLS. They said no, I wouldn't for a learner permit, but I would for getting the full license, and the girl i was talking to made it clear to me that upon the renewal of my driver's license, i'd need an eye test then, that it was compulsory for any renewal of any "full" license (not necessary for a learner permit renewal).

I'm 32 and a license lasts 10 years, so I presume everyone renewing needs an eye test from here on, regardless of age.

conndeal

Renewed my licence three weeks ago in NDLS office. I dont have a public service card so could not renew online. I did not need an eyesight test.

I assume the reason that the poster above needed an eyesight test is because he is adding on a new category, the motorbike.

The J Stands for Jay

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Cross posted.

To get a verified MyGov ID just involves an email address, your PPS number and your PSC card.

You can verifiy the MyGov ID online if your details are already in the NDLS database - if not, they post out a code for you to verify online or you can verify over the phone.

Then you can access various gov services (NDLS, Welfare.ie, Revenue, Childcare Scheme etc) online.

How do you get a PSC? Do you need to be on the dole?

fritzelly

McGaggs wrote: »

How do you get a PSC? Do you need to be on the dole?

No

https://psc.gov.ie/how-to-apply/

Tho what are they doing now - are these offices not all closed?

theguzman

conndeal wrote: »

Renewed my licence three weeks ago in NDLS office. I dont have a public service card so could not renew online. I did not need an eyesight test.

I assume the reason that the poster above needed an eyesight test is because he is adding on a new category, the motorbike.

Not adding anything just a simple renewal. I got my PPS in Secondary School when I turned 16 everyone did, it was a simple white social services card like this, https://i.colnect.net/f/2490/051/Social-Services-Card.jpg
the precursor to the Public Services Card after. I was on JSB for a while in 2013 and had to go in to get my picture taken for the PSC, and it is this green card with photo I have ever since.

theguzman

theguzman wrote: »

Whats the procedure for the myGov verified ID account? Do you need to go to the local dole office to get verified or what?

No, you don't need to go into the local office for a MyGov ID verification.

But you do need a PSC card thats in date, you say yours is around 7 years old? Check the expiry date on the back of your card. You may need to go in if you need to renew it.

AutoTuning

I got a letter from them about mine, which is expiring and I hadn’t realised. They sent out the letter seemingly including the time of the 6 month extension, so my license expires in the first week of February and there’s basically no hope of renewing it in time.

I don’t have a PSC card. I’ve never needed one. So I can’t use their online service, which is utterly daft, especially during a pandemic.

I also can’t apply in person as they’ve a note up that you can only apply in person if you’re an essential worker. I only noticed this after a booked an appointment for the end of January, as there’s no mention of it on the mobile site, only the full size site.

So even if I were an essential worker there’s no way I’ll get it done. So it’s looking like I won’t be able to drive for a few months at this rate.

Little Britain’s Carol Beer must have designed their protocols.

It was vastly more efficient when it was the council doing it!

You can also renew a passport with minimum fuss online. It’s very efficient and effective. Can’t see why the NDLS isn’t the same. I can accept a processing delay due to covid but they really need a full year extension for license domestically as loads of people won’t be able to get these things processed.

Had I noticed the licence date, I would have obviously applied months ago, but it just sits in your wallet unseen for years and their reminder letter should have been sent out probably in April if there was any point in sending it at all. Sending it to me this week is a bit pointless!

Anyway, I guess I’ll save petrol. Asking anyone to go in to a public office for an in person application process in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic is utterly bonkers, especially one that has absolutely no security issues as it’s renewing an existing ID document ffs.

I’m also hearing the the processing time is two months.

My own fault that I have read my driving licence in about 5 years, but this is really, really annoying!

whiterebel

Absolute joke of a system. My wife’s is up on 15th January. First available appointment in Cork is 31st. She doesn’t have a PSC. Waited an hour on a call to them yesterday before they hung up. Then waited another hour to be told they can’t do anything. You can’t look for a cancellation unless your appointment is cancellled. Why can’t people use their passport to do this?

AutoTuning

Ah sure we just pay hundreds a year in motor tax, vast amounts in VRT all to be treated like dirt by agencies like this and pay another €55 for the privilege.

If a PSC is not universal, it’s ludicrous to be excluding people from essential public services or putting them through hoops to access them. It’s fairly obvious that someone designed this system to force more people to get that damn card, which I have had no need for for any other purpose and I couldn’t get now anyway even if I did want one.

Also the PSC is not that automatically issued credit card like thing that we all got at 16 that never seemed to do anything either.

Whole thing is just pointless bureaucracy dressed up as Information Age efficiency because it involves a website.

There’s also absolutely no reason why these renewals can’t be done remotely. Bringing people into a public office during the horrendous circumstances of a pandemic is just stupid for all involved. I don’t particularly want to sit in some booth that’s been touched and pawed and have to get my photo taken. I don’t even use ATMs anymore and have avoided going to the doctor, never mind some stupid agency to do a bureaucratic dance of the phone bills.

I’m quite capable of doing that myself. They have my photo on file. While I’ve aged a bit, I still look broadly similar and recognisable. I can provide photo ID - passport etc. I can provide a new photo digitally. I’ve done this for passport renewals. I haven’t changed address. My PPS hasn’t changed. Why do they need physical evidence of these?! They know my driving licence isn’t cancelled or endorsed. My eyesight hasn’t mysteriously changed. What’s the issue?! Seems like a totally stupid system. For the vast majority of renewals this should be a remote and extremely simple process.
Solution in search of a problem!

Has anyone ever sat down and asked what exactly this convoluted system actually achieves?

The wording on the NDLS website seems deliberately vague about essential workers. It seems to be more about travel restrictions. Text here:

Under Covid-19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from 26 December 2020 you can attend an appointment at an NDLS centre if you are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. For further details on essential services see www.gov.ie.

If you have an appointment over the next eight weeks and you are an essential worker you are exempt from level 5 travel restrictions and should attend as normal. It may be useful to show proof of your appointment (text or email confirmation of booking) if stopped by An Garda Síochána. You can book an appointment at www.ndls.ie

We would ask that if you are not involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets and you have an appointment at an NDLS centre over the next eight weeks, that you cancel your appointment here so it can be booked by an essential worker. Please do not call or email the NDLS to cancel your appointment.


It requests anyone who is not an essential worker cancel their appointment - but it doesnt say anywhere that non-essential workers will be turned away, or that proof of essential service must be provided. It seems to be more about adhering to the 5k travel restriction.

I think I'd chance booking an appointment (so you can at least show the Garda if stopped). In saying that, I have a wheelchair badge and am completely car reliant, but I am sure there are others who are equally car reliant. There seemed to be no shortage of appointments in Citywest when I booked one for my daughter. (now cancelled, as we renewed online).

Regarding the PSC, I am surprised to read there isn't some kind of service available, as some departmental functions are deemed essential and there are staff working in the buildings.

AutoTuning

Being deliberately vague in circumstances like this is abysmal communication. People are stressed out enough without nonsense like this.

I have no issue waiting due to the pandemic. That’s unavoidable.

I am fed up with being treated like a raw material to be processed by a machine that is treating me like something the cat dragged in. This is an agency creating problems that don’t need to be there.

My dad had to go in to get his licence renewed earlier on in the pandemic and he is basically in a vulnerable category and we couldn’t get any appointments in Cork City so had to drive to Mallow.

It’s a joke of a setup during a pandemic and is creating problems for people.

AutoTuning

AutoTuning wrote: »

Being deliberately vague in circumstances like this is abysmal communication. People are stressed out enough without nonsense like this.

I agree with you on this.

If they are not making it possible for people to renew licences at this time, they should at minimum, extend the expiry dates again.

AutoTuning

What would be reasonable is to just pause renewals entirely until the end of the pandemic crisis, or at least until they make universal online renewal possible.

It would save a lot of unnecessary physical interaction with the NDLS and free up their capacitor to deal with new licences, Brexit exchanges etc etc.

There’s no reason why this bureaucratic hurdle is being thrown in front of people at this time.

If your licence was valid in 2020 it should just be valid now until 2022.

Unless someone’s been disqualified from driving in the interim, I can’t really see what exactly this process achieves other than collecting lots of €55 euros.

We are in the midst of a national emergency. Renewing perfectly valid driving licences that haven’t changed is not exactly a high priority.

Obviously there would be some need for renewals, eg someone who might have to travel abroad for essential reasons, but for domestic travel they should just accept any licence that was valid in 2020 until such time as it can be safely renewed.

theguzman

My public services card is in date so I am going to go down the online route. How does it work for the photo? DO I need to upload my own photo and they will use that?

ohnonotgmail

theguzman wrote: »

My public services card is in date so I am going to go down the online route. How does it work for the photo? DO I need to upload my own photo and they will use that?

they can take the photo from your psc card

ofcork

whiterebel wrote: »

Absolute joke of a system. My wife’s is up on 15th January. First available appointment in Cork is 31st. She doesn’t have a PSC. Waited an hour on a call to them yesterday before they hung up. Then waited another hour to be told they can’t do anything. You can’t look for a cancellation unless your appointment is cancellled. Why can’t people use their passport to do this?

Mine is up on the 28th january no psc so cant renew online no date available in cork until feb was thinking of going to skibb.

AutoTuning

Seem to be very few appointments in any of the 3 Cork centres. If they opened the processing to everyone without PSC, I bet those backlogs would vanish.

They seem to know your PPSN so, it's just a matter of logging in with PPSN + Driver Number and going through a similar online process to what the passport service do very smoothly and successfully, on what is potentially a far more security-focused ID document.

Duke of Url

I walked into the NDLS wearing glasses but marked on the form I don’t need glasses to drive.

I took off my glasses for the photo and put them back on after.

No questions asked

RoryMurphyJnr

I've an appointment in Jan to renew my licence, have to go to the NDLS office. Well outside my 5km limit. Presume it shouldn't be an issue if I get stopped?

colm_mcm

I just did mine there, very straightforward actually, photo was automatically used from my PSC.

Duke of Url

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

I've an appointment in Jan to renew my licence, have to go to the NDLS office. Well outside my 5km limit. Presume it shouldn't be an issue if I get stopped?

I think you will be ok.


National Driver Licence Service, insofar as it provides services by appointment to persons involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets, and insofar as such services cannot be carried out remotely

Alanstrainor

fritzelly wrote: »

No

https://psc.gov.ie/how-to-apply/

Tho what are they doing now - are these offices not all closed?

AutoTuning wrote: »

I got a letter from them about mine, which is expiring and I hadn’t realised. They sent out the letter seemingly including the time of the 6 month extension, so my license expires in the first week of February and there’s basically no hope of renewing it in time.

I don’t have a PSC card. I’ve never needed one. So I can’t use their online service, which is utterly daft, especially during a pandemic.

I also can’t apply in person as they’ve a note up that you can only apply in person if you’re an essential worker. I only noticed this after a booked an appointment for the end of January, as there’s no mention of it on the mobile site, only the full size site.

So even if I were an essential worker there’s no way I’ll get it done. So it’s looking like I won’t be able to drive for a few months at this rate.

Little Britain’s Carol Beer must have designed their protocols.

It was vastly more efficient when it was the council doing it!

You can also renew a passport with minimum fuss online. It’s very efficient and effective. Can’t see why the NDLS isn’t the same. I can accept a processing delay due to covid but they really need a full year extension for license domestically as loads of people won’t be able to get these things processed.

Had I noticed the licence date, I would have obviously applied months ago, but it just sits in your wallet unseen for years and their reminder letter should have been sent out probably in April if there was any point in sending it at all. Sending it to me this week is a bit pointless!

Anyway, I guess I’ll save petrol. Asking anyone to go in to a public office for an in person application process in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic is utterly bonkers, especially one that has absolutely no security issues as it’s renewing an existing ID document ffs.

I’m also hearing the the processing time is two months.

My own fault that I have read my driving licence in about 5 years, but this is really, really annoying!

Ran into this trouble before Dec as my license was due to expire in Dec. All resources saying to apply online, but without a PSC you are completely goosed. Never had any need for a PSC until this, and I'd imagine a lot of people are the same. I'm not against having one, I just don't, and couldn't get one. I did manage to get an in person booking at the NDLS and got the license applied for, still waiting on it though.

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

I've an appointment in Jan to renew my licence, have to go to the NDLS office. Well outside my 5km limit. Presume it shouldn't be an issue if I get stopped?

That's totally fine, you have a legitimate reason to travel.

theguzman

theguzman wrote: »

My public services card is in date so I am going to go down the online route. How does it work for the photo? DO I need to upload my own photo and they will use that?

No option to upload a new photo. They will just use the photo from your PSC card. They do show you an image of how it will look when printed.

AutoTuning

Loads of people don't have a PSC if they had no need to get one. I mean why would you go in, make an appointment, go through a whole load of bureaucracy for a card that you don't have any purpose for.

If it were a compulsory ID card, fair enough. It's not, yet it means that there's a whole mess around random public services like this.

Given the circumstances they need to rather rapidly resolve this from an IT point of view to provide access to online renewals without PSC.

In the meantime they need to further extend expiration dates.

What's the objective here?

I would assume it's efficient processing of renewals and driving most of them online?

The outcome of the PSC has been a mess where people are hitting a barrier and are unable to renew online and are therefore turning up in person.

Most people process their passports, tax returns, car tax, etc online because it's easier and more convenient. The PSC requirement in this is just creating a big barrier for a large % of the population.

The outcome that they're actually achieving is just frustrating people in what looks like some kind of constructed scenario that was designed to force people to get the PSC for this single purpose.

It looks like I'm just not going to be able to drive for weeks, which is not really an ideal scenario. It's not like it makes any difference anyway as I won't really be going anywhere and I suppose I can just do all my groceries online and stay at home.

This year is just beyond bizarre.

mgbgt1978

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I have my driving license a while, and i recently went to get a learner permit for a motorbike.

When getting the learner permit i wasn't sure if i'd need an eye test done, so I asked while in with NDLS. They said no, I wouldn't for a learner permit, but I would for getting the full license, and the girl i was talking to made it clear to me that upon the renewal of my driver's license, i'd need an eye test then, that it was compulsory for any renewal of any "full" license (not necessary for a learner permit renewal).

I'm 32 and a license lasts 10 years, so I presume everyone renewing needs an eye test from here on, regardless of age.

She must have been a new recruit KKV.....or else she was out on Day Release


https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/add-a-category-to-my-driving-licence.html


Absolutely no mention of an eyesight report here. And you can just do it online. Surely if needed it would be required at the learner Permit stage.

AutoTuning

AFAIK, unless you're claiming you've perfect sight and don't need glasses, then you don't need an eye test as you're assumed to need them and it's just encoded on the licence.

ohnonotgmail

AutoTuning wrote: »

AFAIK, unless you're claiming you've perfect sight and don't need glasses, then you don't need an eye test as you're assumed to need them and it's just encoded on the licence.

you only require an eyesight report if you previously required glasses for driving and no longer do so.

cup of tea

Unfortunately I'm in the same boat. I don't have the public services card. Mine is up early January. So I'm also goosed. Do they require you to hand in your expired licence when renewing does anyone know? I've lost mine.

Esel

cup of tea wrote: »

Unfortunately I'm in the same boat. I don't have the public services card. Mine is up early January. So I'm also goosed. Do they require you to hand in your expired licence when renewing does anyone know? I've lost mine.

You have to hand in your old licence. You will need to go to a Garda station, fill and sign a form and have your signature witnessed by a Garda. You need this form to renew when you can't surrender your old licence.

colm_mcm

Esel wrote: »

You have to hand in your old licence. You will need to go to a Garda station, fill and sign a form and have your signature witnessed by a Garda. You need this form to renew when you can't surrender your old licence.

How come you don’t need to do this when renewing online?

ofcork

whiterebel wrote: »

Absolute joke of a system. My wife’s is up on 15th January. First available appointment in Cork is 31st. She doesn’t have a PSC. Waited an hour on a call to them yesterday before they hung up. Then waited another hour to be told they can’t do anything. You can’t look for a cancellation unless your appointment is cancellled. Why can’t people use their passport to do this?

Dates available in cork in january now just booked for monday.

Credit Checker Moose

My dad renewed during the last level 5 restrictions with no bother at all. Appointment made online.

blackbox

For certain categories you have always* needed an eyesight test .

*Well, long before the NDLS credit card licences.

ohnonotgmail

blackbox wrote: »

For certain categories you have always* needed an eyesight test .

*Well, long before the NDLS credit card licences.

for any of the C or D categories the eyesight test can be done by your GP and included in the medical report that is required for those licence categories.

mgbgt1978

Esel wrote: »

You have to hand in your old licence. You will need to go to a Garda station, fill and sign a form and have your signature witnessed by a Garda. You need this form to renew when you can't surrender your old licence.

Are you sure about this ?
The NDLS don't appear to require it.

https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/renew-my-driving-licence.html#to-renew-your-driving-licence-in-person-at-an-ndls-centre


To apply in person at an NDLS centre you will need the following:

~Your current or most recent driving licence. If your licence has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must also bring valid photo ID with you.

I left out the rest of the required documents, but this is the only mention of providing your old licence. I don't believe that you actually have to provide a current licence during the renewal process, but if you cannot do so you must provide a valid ID.

ohnonotgmail

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Are you sure about this ?
The NDLS don't appear to require it.

https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/renew-my-driving-licence.html#to-renew-your-driving-licence-in-person-at-an-ndls-centre


To apply in person at an NDLS centre you will need the following:

~Your current or most recent driving licence. If your licence has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must also bring valid photo ID with you.

I left out the rest of the required documents, but this is the only mention of providing your old licence. I don't believe that you actually have to provide a current licence during the renewal process, but if you cannot do so you must provide a valid ID.

I certainly was asked for my old licence when i renewed in an NDLS center but I dont remember them taking it off me.

mgbgt1978

And going by the NDLS's own website, if you cannot provide them with your old licence you simply have to show them a valid photo ID.


Did they simply ask to see your old licence, or specifically say that without it you weren't getting a renewal ?

ohnonotgmail

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

And going by the NDLS's own website, if you cannot provide them with your old licence you simply have to show them a valid photo ID.


Did they simply ask to see your old licence, or specifically say that without it you weren't getting a renewal ?

I dont remember. i remember being asked for it and that is it.