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Irish license in Canada

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  • 27-05-2017 5:31pm
    #1
    jordanfaf
    Registered Users Posts: 157 ✭✭


    I'm travelling to Canada on an IEC Visa tomorrow, just wondering if the Irish license is recognised in British Columbia? Hadn't planned on renting a car but would conconsider a job in the automotive industry if possible, Most require a drivers license.

    Do I need to apply for any kind of international permit or is the standard Irish license recognised by law enforcement in BC?


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    #2
    circular flexing
    Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭circular flexing


    jordanfaf wrote: »
    I'm travelling to Canada on an IEC Visa tomorrow, just wondering if the Irish license is recognised in British Columbia? Hadn't planned on renting a car but would conconsider a job in the automotive industry if possible, Most require a drivers license.

    Do I need to apply for any kind of international permit or is the standard Irish license recognised by law enforcement in BC?

    If you plan to live in BC then you have to get your license exchanged within 90 days of taking up residence. I believe this is obligatory. ICBC will do a straight swap the Irish license, but as it stands NDLS won't swap a BC License for an Irish License.

    http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pages/Moving-from-another-country.aspx

    You should also get a copy of you driver's record from NDLS

    https://www.ndls.ie/driving-abroad.html#letter-of-entitlement-driver-statement


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    #3
    jordanfaf
    Registered Users Posts: 157 ✭✭jordanfaf


    circular flexing wrote: »
    jordanfaf wrote: »
    I'm travelling to Canada on an IEC Visa tomorrow, just wondering if the Irish license is recognised in British Columbia? Hadn't planned on renting a car but would conconsider a job in the automotive industry if possible, Most require a drivers license.

    Do I need to apply for any kind of international permit or is the standard Irish license recognised by law enforcement in BC?

    If you plan to live in BC then you have to get your license exchanged within 90 days of taking up residence. I believe this is obligatory. ICBC will do a straight swap the Irish license, but as it stands NDLS won't swap a BC License for an Irish License.

    http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pages/Moving-from-another-country.aspx

    You should also get a copy of you driver's record from NDLS

    https://www.ndls.ie/driving-abroad.html#letter-of-entitlement-driver-statement

    I'll only be in Canada for 3 months before returning to a Ireland so don't want to exchange my License. Was wondering. Will the Irish license suffice for the 3 months


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    #4
    circular flexing
    Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭circular flexing


    jordanfaf wrote: »
    I'll only be in Canada for 3 months before returning to a Ireland so don't want to exchange my License. Was wondering. Will the Irish license suffice for the 3 months

    Sorry I had assumed that you were going for the full 2 years. 3 months should be ok on the Irish license. No need for IDP.


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    #5
    doolox
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭doolox


    If you swap an Irish licence for a Canadian licence and then some time later return to Ireland and look for an Irish licence and be told you need to resit the test???

    Its nerve wracking and bad enough to have to sit the Irish test once in a lifetime but to be subject to that ordeal twice in one life time is too much.


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    #6
    circular flexing
    Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭circular flexing


    doolox wrote: »
    If you swap an Irish licence for a Canadian licence and then some time later return to Ireland and look for an Irish licence and be told you need to resit the test???

    Its nerve wracking and bad enough to have to sit the Irish test once in a lifetime but to be subject to that ordeal twice in one life time is too much.

    It depends where you go.

    If you have a license from Ontario, Newfoundland or Manitoba, they will do a straight swap. For others, it's been advised that you can fill out the lost license form and you will get your license back. I doubt there will be a need to sit the Irish test again.


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    #7
    gendrol75
    Registered Users Posts: 15 ✭gendrol75


    circular flexing wrote: »
    If you have a license from Ontario, Newfoundland or Manitoba, they will do a straight swap. For others, it's been advised that you can fill out the lost license form and you will get your license back. I doubt there will be a need to sit the Irish test again.

    This is true; I swapped my Ontario license for an Irish license shortly after the reciprocal agreement was signed.

    HOWEVER, the Irish license given to me was restricted to automatic transmissions. Presumably this is because the Canadian provinces don't differentiate between transmission types on their licenses, and because 99% of cars in Canada are automatics.

    I had to take the full test in-car in order to "upgrade" my Irish license. I did not have to take the written test or pay for 12 mandatory lessons.


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    #8
    gendrol75
    Registered Users Posts: 15 ✭gendrol75


    (I should add that I am Canadian by birth; the Irish license I swapped for was my first. YMMV if you have previously held a full Irish license.)


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