NDLS - National Driver Licence Service centres (Qs, waiting times, etc)

You could always set up a MYGOV ID provided that you have a PPSN number.

You are correct, I missed that step.

I’ve a driving license that’s about to expire at the end of the extended period and I’m just wondering what’s the story with the NDLS?

They’ve a message up saying essential workers only. I have an NDLS centre within walking distance in my 5km

If I turn up will they refuse to process my application?

My license will expire at the end of January and the only appointment I could get was for early February.

I don’t really need the car but if there's any kind of emergency it might be quite useful.

I can’t do the online renewal as I don’t have a PSC card.

Can’t say I’m overly keen on even going to the appointment at this level of covid cases.

How long do I have to renew if my licence completely expires?

I mean I don’t want to end up having to reset a driving test or something.

I can probably park up the car and just go nowhere until the level 5 lifts.

They really should just have a blanket amnesty for 2021. Its only a bureaucratic nonsense really for most of us.

I had replaced my licence due to damage to the paper one, so I had in my head that it wasn’t anywhere near due

I got a letter from them last month with the forms for renew, but by then it was far too late and they only sent out the forms 1 month before the extended date.

pippip wrote: »

Ah you have years from when your licence expires before needing a retest or anything.

That’s not too bad.

I will just probably forget about driving then from next week.

kksaints wrote: »

Try and apply for the renewal on the NDLS website if you have a MyGovID.

You need a PSC Card to compete it. Can’t be done like a passport. It’s a bit of a joke of a system.

You’d think during a massive pandemic they would be trying to move fully online, not throw up hurdles.

When you think about it, for the vast majority of renewals there is really no reason why we have to attend in person. It’s just renewing an existing licence.

You can renew your passport online without all this nonsense. I can’t see why you can’t renew your driving licence similarly.

i was in the same boat just recently.
forgot the licence was up, until i got a letter
don't have a gov.id so had to book an appointment on line
not able to do by telephone

nearest one was three weeks, i went last week, citywest one
guy has a clipboard with names of people and appointment times. lets about five in at a time, and closes the door. comes back out when a few seats are free.
you can sit very safely at a distance.
then you go to the booths, all very safe.

in my case i made it a week before my expiry date
and made sure to bring all documentation needed.
in and out in no time

despite it saying essential workers only, no way was everyone there an essential. in fact one guy turned up who was not on the list but said he only made the appointment that morning (and got one before me) which was strange unless someone cancelled and he managed to get a cancellation.

so my advice is to book the nearest one, before the slots get filled up, and don't drive until your license is in date.
well and good if they issue an extension in the meantime

Datacore wrote: »

I’m hearing the licences are taking up to 8 weeks to issue too. Not sure how accurate that is, but it’s what I heard

I renewed mine online last week and got the licence in the post on Tuesday so it's not taking 8 weeks.

My licence was up in early December - of course completely forgot as it's the first time I've had to renew it, received the notice in the post in late November I'd say. I went online to book an appointment, nothing available until the 15th January :eek: - so I booked that. I had read somewhere that the guards had been informed that there is a backlog with licence renewals and perhaps they would be a bit more lenient with people if they were stopped and had evidence of an appt.

I would have done it online but have no PSC :rolleyes: Anyway, went to the NDLS centre last Friday - appt was at 9.30 - only to be told that their "systems are down" and that they were a bit behind - there was one guy in front of me standing outside, so I figured maybe one or two inside, so didn't think it would take too long, the girl at the door then told me there was a seat inside, went in to see there were about 6/7 in front of me and NOTHING was moving - the people behind the desks were just sitting there. I naively thought maybe their systems would be up and running again soon - 40 minutes later, still nothing happening. Had to leave as my dad was waiting in the car outside. I made another appointment for the 17th February - so, still no licence.

I need the car for going shopping once a week, so I'm still driving it like. The supermarket is 5 minutes down the road so think I'll take the chance for the next few weeks. Also, when I came out of the centre, there was a queue all the way down the street....certainly not essential workers. The majority of people need their car for shopping and things like that, so how they expect people just to hold off is beyond me.

My driving licence is up end of Feb, however I did not have a public service card. I went to my nearest intreo/social welfare office last Thursday(had an arranged appointment) very nice lady there . Got the public service card on Tuesday this week, completed my driving licence renewal online Tuesday night and my new licence came in the post yesterday . So in one week both were done, I was very impressed.

I went to renew my driver licence in the middle of December and over 3 weeks ago I received a text message from NDLS saying my licence would arrive within 3-5 business days.
It still hasn't come yet, so I rang NDLS today (02/02/2021) and they told me my licence was dispatched only on the 29th of January (4 days ago). How come they sent the message over 3 weeks ago?
Has anyone else experienced something similar with them?

OH's Truck licence due to expire, car licence still valid for a number of years yet. If he don't renew truck licence now can he renew it when renewing car licence or will he lose it if he don't renew it now. He doesnt drive trucks but would hate to lose the licence. It's in the expiry date extension period currently.

Think he will need to get a medical done to renew the licence. Doesn't have a public service card.

Emailed NDLS about 3 weeks ago asking this question but still no reply from them.

maik3n wrote: »

Was in NDLS to renew my license on 22/01/21.
Staff said wait is usually 2-3 weeks.
Got a text yesterday from NDLS to say that processing times are usually 3 weeks so I'm not sure if they mean 3 weeks from when I applied or they mean 3 weeks from now.

I sure hope it's the former and they are just reassuring me abut why it hasn't arrived yet. :P

Well, they were good enough to text you about processing times.
I was told nearly 4 weeks ago that my licence would arrive within 3-5 business days! My old licence expired 2.5 weeks ago:‑(
Hope you receive yours very soon.

26 years in Dublin wrote: »

Well, they were good enough to text you about processing times.
I was told nearly 4 weeks ago that my licence would arrive within 3-5 business days! My old licence expired 2.5 weeks ago:‑(
Hope you receive yours very soon.

3 weeks waiting today and I don't hold out much hope for getting it tomorrow, Friday.

TallGlass2 wrote: »

Are the phone lines down for NDLS?

Was ok for me later in the afternoon.

Renewed my Driving Licence online. Monday application filled in, Thursday got my new licence.