Learner Driver query

picturehangup

Not sure where to post this one, please remove to the appropriate place, mods!

My daughter is a learner driver, and I am wondering if it is legal for her to be accompanied/supervised with a holder of a US license?

I can't seem to find anything about this online, many thanks indeed.

pron

Given a US Driving licence isn't recognised here (beyond short-term/tourism) - I'd imagine it's shaky ground.

The NDLS has an FAQ document :

https://www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/FAQs/NDLS%20website%20UNACCOMPANIED%20DRIVERS%20FREQUENTLY%20ASKED%20QUESTIONS.pdf

For learner permit driver who are required to be accompanied, who is permitted to be an accompanying person?

Learner permit drivers must be accompanied by a qualified driver (a person who holds a full driving licence in the Category for a minimum of 2 years) at all times while driving on a learner permit. 

My reading would be that a US licence holder is not someone who holds a full driving licence in the Category - given there is no direct exchange available.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058256881/learner-driver-query

US driving licences aren’t recognised here so the answer would be no.

HazeDoll

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119414425#Comment_119414425

Aren't recognised? In what way? They're recognised in the sense that American visitors are considered to be legal behind the wheel, or else they wouldn't be able to rent cars.

I think you can drive on a US license (as long as it's valid) for at least a year.

OP, I would ask a guard. Drop into a garda station and ask the question.

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119414473#Comment_119414473

I wouldn't like to be up in front of a judge telling them that a Guard said it was ok. I've been told totally incorrect information by the Gardai regarding firearms related stuff a few times so I'd take what a Guard says with a pinch of salt.

I'd check with whatever company insures the car here in Ireland.

HazeDoll

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119417333#Comment_119417333

That's a good idea.

And while you're at it, make an audio recording of the conversation with the insurance company. I was badly stung once and now I record every single conversation with house, car or health insurers.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119414473#Comment_119414473

They aren't recognised for a swap if you immigrate from the USA to here or vice versa. If you become resident in Ireland with a USA driving licence you can drive for up to a year on it. If you plan on living here for more than a you have to pass an Irish driving test before the 1st year is up and you have the same restrictions as anyone other learner while you have the learners permit, as it supersedes your USA licence.

IIRC the wording for an accompanying driver is that they've held an EU/EEA licence for 2 or more years. No point in asking a Garda, if it doubt go straight to the RSA

kirving

Don't ask a Garda. Sure as night follows day, they'll say it's OK and then stop you as soon as you're seen.

A friend of mine was out of tax for months something like six months (€180, she totally forgot about it and was worried as to what to do. Called to the Garda station to ask 🙈, they asked a few details, said not to worry, just buy it asap. The next week got a fine in the post for non display of tax. Location? Garda station car park...

Spook_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418098#Comment_119418098

It would seem a move to Portugal and taking up residency there would be useful, you could then exchange your Portugese EU license for an Irish EU one if so desired.

U.S. Citizens are entitled to drive in Portugal with their U.S. issued driver’s license for a period no to exceed 185 days, provided they are not legal residents.

After acquiring legal residency, U.S. citizens have 90 days in which to request the exchange of the driver’s license without being required to take a driving test. During that period, U.S. citizens may continue to drive with their driver’s license.

After exhausting the 90 days without making the request, U.S. citizens will not be allowed to continue driving, but they will be allowed to request the exchange without being subject to completion of driving test. They have a deadline of two years counting from the date of acquiring residency to make the request.

walterking

email NDLS - they are fairly good at getting back.

Do NOT ask a garda. They are numskulls when it comes to many aspects of driving - one dared to give me a ticket for using the right lane for taking a 3rd exit on a roundabout (approx 220 degrees). It went to court back in March and Zaidan told the garda not to bring such a case before him again. - It helped that I had a letter from the RSA and also design drawings of the roundabout showing the correct lane movements.

no, the garda did not apologise, but i did give him a printout copy of how to use roundabout. Petty, but I don't live in the area and got a few chuckles from people in the court. He went rather red (possibly with rage)

So email NDLS and you will have an answer you can rely on

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119437860#Comment_119437860

It doesn’t work. An EU licence can now only be exchanged if it’s obtained via test in the other country or is acquired via exchange from a country with which Ireland has a licence excavate agreement. Brazilians used to be able to follow this route via Portugal but no longer.

Spook_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119448192#Comment_119448192

Are you saying the USA and Portugal are telling porkies.

https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/servicos/trocar-carta-de-conducao-estrangeira-por-portuguesa

This authorization only applies to driving in Portuguese territory, since you are not exchanging a foreign license for a Portuguese license, which allows you to drive in the European Union countries, for example.

If you want to exchange your license for a Portuguese license, you can do so. See the IMTonline portal for more information.

The IMTonline portal ( Google translated so may be incorrect)

http://www.imtonline.pt/index.php/troca-de-titulos-conducao-estrangeiros/troca-de-titulos-de-conducao109/9-uncategorised/2287-5-situacao-ocde-cplp

If drivers with driving licenses from OECD and CPLP countries (mentioned above) wish or have to exchange their driving license for a Portuguese driving license, they must comply with the requirements for issuing driving licenses provided for in the Legal Eligibility Regulation for Conduct, namely the verification of physical, mental and psychological aptitude (carrying out a medical examination), being exempted from submitting to examination tests for all the categories that they wish to change.

Spook_ie

Further searches would seem to indicate it's not just a Portuguese thing, but several EU countries will allow the exchange of a US license with no testing

https://www.german-way.com/for-expats/living-in-germany/german-drivers-license-reciprocity/

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119450393#Comment_119450393

The issue is not with exchanging the US licence for a Portugese one. The issue is with then exchanging that portugese licence for an irish one. As you cannot exchange US driving licence for an Irish licence it follows that you cannot exchange a portugese licence for an irish one if the portugese licence was obtained in exchange for a US one.

Where a driving licence has been issued on foot of an exchange from a country that Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with then Ireland cannot exchange the driving licence.

https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html#to-apply-to-exchange-a-foreign-driving-licence-issued-by-a-member-state-of-the-european-union-european-economic-area

Spook_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457461#Comment_119457461

But as per the OP you would have an EU licence, which AFAIK would allow you to supervise a learner, given that any other conditions such as driver age, lack of need for N plates etc. Is met.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457700#Comment_119457700

it was a response to this

It would seem a move to Portugal and taking up residency there would be useful, you could then exchange your Portugese EU license for an Irish EU one if so desired.

Spook_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457707#Comment_119457707

Fair enough but I wonder just how they check.

Anyway as stated the Portugese, German, French exchange license would seem to cover you for supervising a learner in Ireland.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457741#Comment_119457741

I imagine they just ask the portugese authorities.

They would have to wait for 2 years after exchanging the licence to act as a supervising driver.

mikeybhoy

Why are the RSA still insisting masks be worn on the driving test despite it being six months since they ceased to be mandatory

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119688453#Comment_119688453

Masks are still mandatory in lots of workspaces. Either you or the examiner might be vulnerable to covid. It’s 40 minutes in a confined space with a stranger. It’s not a big deal.It’s not a legal issue either.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457741#Comment_119457741

There will be a code printed on the licence to indicate it was exchanged.