Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

SweetCin704 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 07:53 AM

Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

FH was online yesterday (triple A & then some Ireland gov't site) & told me that we HAD to get an international driving permit to drive in Ireland. I told him this was not the case & I had friends that have done it many times w/ just their US license, no problem.

He is telling me I'm wrong & he read it is up to the discresion of the cop (if you got pulled over) & you could get in trouble......

Does anyone know the deal?

Thx.

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Mar 28, 2006 08:13 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

not sure about Ireland, but you do need a temp Int'l driving license in many countries.

carlsbride Posted: Mar 28, 2006 08:22 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

When I was there 6 years ago we didn't need one, maybe it has changed...or maybe I was supposed to have one, oops.

reenielady Posted: Mar 28, 2006 08:32 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

I can tell you that you don't your NYS drivers license is fine. Most insurance carriers will only let you rent for 14 days to give you insurance i believe. The other thing you should be aware of many credit card companies do not cover your insurance in ireland usually the platinum mastercard does though. If you are decling the car rental insurance be sure to aks you cc company.

Have a great time!!!!!!!!

BernandRob Posted: Mar 28, 2006 08:43 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

Just there two years ago, and FH drove, as well as all my cousins (who goes multiple times a year), you don't need a special permit. Just your NYS drivers license. You shouldn't have any problems as long as you remember to drive on the opposite side of the road then what you are used to.

ewickens Posted: Mar 28, 2006 08:43 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

I never drove while in Ireland - we used mass transportation or I rode in a friends car because it was so cheap! I would check with the rental car company you are going with and ask them what the requirements are.

Be forwarned - driving over there is unlike anything you will experience over here. For one, they drive on the opposite side and thus the driving rules are very different. Secondly - the lanes are not made for 2 cars at times - so you may have to pull over to the side a lot to let a car/bus pass.

Have a lot of fun, though! I loved living there for the limited time I was there and it was an experience I will always cherish!

sr081906 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 09:17 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Licences issued outside the EEA

If you have a full and valid driving licence which has been issued in another country other than an EEA country you can drive in the UK on this licence for twelve months.

If you intend to be resident in the UK beyond this period, you can exchange your licence for a full GB or NI licence if it is a British Forces Germany licence or if it was issued in:-

Australia
Barbados
British Virgin Islands
Canada (GB licence only)
Falkland Islands
Hong Kong
Japan
Monaco
New Zealand
Republic of Korea (excluding motorbike licences)
Singapore
South Africa (GB licence only)
Switzerland
Zimbabwe

If you do not exchange your licence before the 12-month period runs out, you will not be able to drive. However, you have a period of five years from the date of last entry into the UK within which you can exchange your licence and then start driving again. If you do not exchange the licence within this period you will have to apply for a provisional licence in the normal way - see under heading How to apply for a driving licence.

If you have a driving licence issued in a country other than those listed above, you must take a UK driving test to obtain a full GB licence if you intend to drive after the initial twelve month period. You must obtain a GB provisional licence before booking a driving test.

Katie&Chris2006 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 09:46 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

I haven't been over in about 5 years but drove at that time with my NYS license only.

d&D Posted: Mar 28, 2006 10:05 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

You definately don't need one....I was just there less than 2 years ago.....DH drove and so did my friend ( I was way too scared ).

M&S Sept12006 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 10:11 AM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

One of my BM's was born and raised in Ireland and she frequently travels back and forth. She just told me that you dont need an international driver's license. US license is sufficient.

donegal419 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 03:50 PM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

Ditto to many of the above.... you DON'T need an international license.... HOWEVER, be sure you take out or have adequate car insurance when you rent the car... you may have to pay extra, or MOST credit cards offer that coverage if you put the car rental on that credit card. Also, while in Ireland, unless you drive standard(stick shift) specify that you want an AUTOMATIC... otherwise, they will give you stick shift as 90% of cars ver there are standard.

I love Dan Dooley rent a Car... I always get good deals from them! (They have a website and offices in Shannon and Dublin airports).

Beach-e-bride Posted: Mar 28, 2006 03:54 PM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

We went to Ireland last year- FH rented a car and drove from Shannon to Dublin over the course of a week and did not need to get any additional license

Summer101 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 03:59 PM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

My friend whose family has a house in Ireland said that you do not need an additional license and she goes to Ireland twice a year

SweetCin704 Posted: Mar 28, 2006 05:20 PM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

Thank you ladies for settling my dispute....I found out he applied for one anyway.....

UHHHHHH MEN!!!!!!!!!!!

We did take out the additional insurance coverage though just to be safe

Beachebride, we're doing that same drive but from Dublin to Shannon

CTarantino Posted: Mar 28, 2006 07:34 PM

Re: Ireland Experts HELP! Settle Dispute

When I was there I did not need one, that was like 5 years ago though. Don't know if it changed since them but I am pretty sure you do not need a special permit/license.