Garda Trying to Brake in my Car Failure To produce Driving Licence

The garda was trying to break in to your car?

Speak to a solicitor.

How long have you been in Ireland? You are only allowed to drive on a non-EU licence for a year, and then need to get an Irish licence.

I often hear the 12 month tourist rule but does anyone know where it's set out in law?

Kevin3 wrote: »

I often hear the 12 month tourist rule but does anyone know where it's set out in law?

Fred Swanson wrote: »

https://www.ndls.ie/holders-of-foreign-licences.html#holders-of-driving-licences-from-other-countries

If you are not from any of the above countries, (for example The United States), and you hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit from your own country, you may drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months).

If your stay in Ireland will be more than 12 months you can apply for an Irish driving licence but you will need to go through the full driver licensing procedure. You must first pass a driver theory test , apply for a learner permit, complete a course of Essential Driver Training(EDT) and pass your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you can then apply for a full Irish driving licence.

Please click here for information on how to apply for a first time Learner Permit.

There is actually no 12 month rule set out in law, there is just a "temporary stay" rule for a "visitor" written into law, the timeframe is not specufied. NDLS would appear to have pulled the 12 month rule from thin air.

For most countries around the world (and certainly in Ireland/all the EU) the law is someone is a visitor on a temporary visit for the first 184 days that they are here, 185+ days and you are no longer a visitor, but considered a normal resident and then require an Irish or EU/EEA licence. The exception is the non EU/EEA "recognised licences", these are valid beyond the 184 days for 12 months before you need to exchange for an Irish licence.