- International Driver's License translate your official driver's license in multiple languages. Simple and easy to be used for any language speakers. This document contains a translation booklet, translate your national driver license in 9 languages which are English, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, German, Spanish and French.
- The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that provides important information from your driver’s license in eleven different languages, including English. This document came into existence by virtue of a treaty signed in 1949 by the United States and other foreign countries.
- Getting An International Driver's License Ireland
- International Driving Licence Ireland
- Ireland Require International Drivers License
- International Driving Permit For Ireland
- Requirements For Driving In Ireland
When traveling abroad, some folks like to rent a vehicle—nothing affords more freedom for your trip than being able to hop in the car and go wherever you choose!
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that provides important information from your driver’s license in eleven different languages, including English. This document came into existence by virtue of a treaty signed in 1949 by the United States and other foreign countries. This is the fastest method of application for the International Driver's License. You can easily apply now for the International Driver's Document using any desktop computer or smartphone. We offer affordable prices, fast delivery options and the most advanced and popular driver's license translation.
International driving permit (IDP) Recognised internationally, an IDP allows you drive a private motor vehicle abroad when accompanied by a valid full Irish driving licence. It is valid for one year from date of issue. An IDP is also available to EU/EEA. Licence holders who are also resident in Ireland.
If you plan to rent a car while in a foreign country, you'll likely need an International Driving Permit.
What Are International Driving Permits?
The International Driving Permit (IDP), often (and incorrectly) referred to as International Driving License, is a document that, along with your valid home driver's license, allows you to legally drive a motor vehicle while abroad.
Understand that an IDP does NOT REPLACE your U.S.-issued driver's license; rather, it acts as a language translation of your driver's license and features your:
- Full name.
- Photograph.
- Relevant driver information.
The following requirements and restrictions apply:
- You must:
- Be at least 18 years old to apply.
- Carry BOTH your IDP and your valid driver's license when driving abroad.
- Obtain your IDP from the same country that issued your driver's license.
- You may NOT use your IDP to drive within the country in which it was issued.
- Your IDP is valid, with a valid U.S. driver's license, for up to 1 year from the date it's issued.
- You cannot renew your IDP, but you can apply for a new permit when necessary.
Apply for an International Driving Permit
For citizens of the United States, the U.S. government requires you apply for an International Driving Permit with either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA).
Again, you must be 18 years old or older with a valid U.S. driver's license to apply for an IDP.
Both agencies thoroughly outline their application requirements on their forms, but basic application instructions include:
- Completing the appropriate IDP application.
- AAA application.
- AATA application.
- Presenting your valid U.S.-issued driver's license.
- If the agency allows you to apply by mail, you must send a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license.
- Producing (or mailing) 2 photos of yourself.
- These photos must be passport-sized and signed on the back.
- Making the applicable payment.
- Payments vary depending on the shipping method, destination, and processing time and are listed on the applications.
- Correctly submitting your application.
- Generally, you can submit your application and other documents in person or via mail; inquire about online submission options with the specific agency.
Additionally, you might be able to apply while you're already abroad. Contact the agency for details.
Avoiding IDP Fraud
Unfortunately, numerous organizations sell fake International Driving Permits, and most of them charge much more than the regular fee; so, by falling prey to these scam companies, not only will you lose money, but also you'll end up with a fake document—something you don't want to show up with after traveling to your destination country.
Remember, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are the only organizations approved for issuing IDPs.
If you believe you've been sold a fake International Driving Permit, report the fraud using the FTC Complaint Assistant.
NOTE: Many couriers offer delivery services for authorized issuers of IDPs. If you choose to utilize these services, make sure the courier runs your application through AAA or AATA.
Learn the Rules of the Road
As a driver in a foreign country, it's crucial you understand the local rules of the road. Naturally, actions like drunk driving and distracted driving are dangerous anywhere in the world, but what about other specific laws?
Gathering such information from across the globe can seem intimidating, so your safest bet is to check with the country's embassy or consulates within the United States. You can find the appropriate embassy on the State Department's guide to Web Sites of Foreign Embassies in the U.S., and if these agencies can't provide you with driving regulations, they can point you in the direction of where to find them.
Foreign Drivers in the United States
You must have a valid driver license to drive in the United States—especially if you plan to rent a car, which is common among foreign visitors.
However, requirements for holding International Driving Permits and other official documents vary by state; some require them and some don't. Play it safe by contacting the motor vehicle agency for the state(s) in which you plan to drive. These agencies also can help you learn the rules of the road while you're here.
Of course, some IDP and other license requirements depend on how long you plan to stay in the U.S.—such as, for example, if you're a short-time visitor versus a non-citizen resident. We'll help you learn the differences on our guide to driving in the United States.
Related Tasks & Topics
- Appointments
- Change of Address
Getting An International Driver's License Ireland
- Lost License
- New License
- REAL ID
- Renew License
- Take a Practice Test
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(Redirected from Driving licence in Ireland)
Driving licence in the Republic of Ireland | |
---|---|
Issued by | Ireland |
Type of document | Driving licence |
Purpose | Identification |
In Ireland, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicle on roads to which the public have access. Since 29 October 2013, they are issued by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Based on the European driving licence standards, all the categories of licence available and the physical licence meet the 2006 EU standards.
History[edit]
Ireland Require International Drivers License
From 19 January 2013 new licences issued are similar in size and shape to a credit-card as stipulated in Directive 2006/126/EEC. It features the driver's name and date of birth, their photo, signature and any restrictions or endorsements such as the need to wear glasses and any penalty points accrued. The older type licence is still valid but will be replaced by the new type upon licence renewal.
From January 2014 the NDLS started to issue an electronic driving licence containing all the information relating to the licence. This provides additional security and protection against fraud. The microchip enables the licence to be read by special card readers which are be managed by the Road Safety Authority and are available to the [Gardai|Police] [1] However not all of the categories on the new licence are obtainable. An oversight in production of the licence means that category B1 appears on the driving licence in Ireland but cannot be obtained.
The old licence was based on the old European format, defined in Directive 91/439/EEC, as was used in other countries in the past. It consisted of a pink tri-fold paper document, laminated on one side. It contained a photo of the driver, their personal details and home address, and a listing of categories of vehicle they are licensed for, with any restrictions printed using a code format. The unlaminated side consisted of a section for any written-in endorsements as well as a page with the term 'Driving licence' or its equivalents in a large number of languages.
Former Irish Driving Licence (Currently valid but will be fully replaced by 2023)
Both learner permits and the former provisional licences are identical in format to full licences, but green in colour. They do not carry the full translations list as they are not valid outside of the Republic of Ireland and are marked as such on the front. Once a driving test has been passed, all categories of driver with the exception of motorcycle drivers have no restrictions on road usage or vehicle type.
Prior to serious reforms in 2007, many people who drove never completed the process of receiving a full licence - 400,000 people held provisional licences in October 2007 when the new Learner Permit system was introduced. Serious crackdowns and a huge increase in testing facilities have brought this number down heavily.
The reason for the high number of people driving under a Provisional Licence under the old system was because a Provisional Licence holder could drive unaccompanied after obtaining their second Provisional Licence, and many drivers chose this route rather than going through the full testing process. This system was very unusual - most countries' provisional/learner licences require a fully qualified driver to accompany a learner.
Driver theory test[edit]
The driver theory test is carried out by Prometric Ireland on behalf of the RSA.The website for booking the theory test only lists locations outside of Dublin; one must type in 'Dublin' in the Google map search box in order to return locations based in Dublin.
In order to pass the theory test, candidates must score at least 35/40. Candidates get asked forty multiple choice questions. Anything scored under 35 is a fail and the test must be retaken.
International Driving Permit For Ireland
Learner Permit[edit]
(Provisional Licence)Obtaining a Learner Permit requires passing the afore-mentioned computerised theory test. Also required for the Learner Permit are: valid proof of address, valid proof of PPSN, valid photographic ID and Eyesight Report (where necessary). The Application Form for a Learner Permit D201 must be filled in and brought to the local NDLS office.
Those on Learner Permits for most categories of licence must not drive unaccompanied. No Learner Permit holders are allowed to drive on motorways and all must display red L-plates at all times, either on their vehicle or on a tabard if a motorcyclist.
Driving licence categories[edit]
This is a list of the categories that can be found on a driving licence in the Republic of Ireland.[2]
Note: The category B1 appears on the driving licence in Ireland but cannot be obtained as it doesn't actually exist there.
Cat | Vehicle type | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
AM | Motorcycle | 16 | Mopeds and Light quadricycles. |
A1 | Motorcycle | 16 | Motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres, with a power rating not exceeding 11 kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kW/kg. Motor tricycles with a power rating not exceeding 15 kW. |
A2 | Motorcycle | 18 | Motorcycles with a power rating not exceeding 35 kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. |
A | Motorcycle | 24 (Direct Access), 20 (Progressive Access), 21 (Motor tricycles only) | Motorcycles and Motor tricycles. |
B | 3 or 4 wheeled light vehicles | 17 | Vehicles (other than motorcycles, mopeds, work vehicles or land tractors) having a MAM1 not exceeding 3,500 kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. The vehicle may tow a trailer (a) where the MAM of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg or (b) where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750 kg the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg. Quadricycles (other than those covered by AM) are also covered by this category. |
BE | Cars | 17 | Combination of drawing vehicles in category B and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg. |
W | Work vehicles | 16 | Work vehicles and land tractor with or without a trailer. |
C | Heavy goods vehicle | 21 (without CPC), 18 (with CPC) | Vehicles (other than work vehicles or land tractors) having a MAM1 exceeding 3,500 kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver and where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg. |
CE | Heavy goods vehicle with trailers | 21 (without CPC), 18 (with CPC) | Combination of drawing vehicles in category C and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. |
C1 | Medium-sized vehicle | 18 | Vehicles in category C having a MAM1 weight not exceeding 7,500 kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver and where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg. |
C1E | Medium-sized vehicle with trailers | 18 | Combination of drawing vehicles in category C1 and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg and where the MAM1 of the drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 12,000 kg. Combination of drawing vehicles in category B with trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 3,500 kg and where the MAM1 of the drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 12,000 kg. |
D | Buses | 24 (without CPC), 21 (with CPC) | Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver and where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg. |
DE | Buses with trailers | 24 (without CPC), 21 (with CPC) | Combination of drawing vehicles in category D and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. |
D1 | Minibuses | 21 | Vehicles in category D designed and constructed for the carriage of not more than sixteen passengers in addition to the driver with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres and where the MAM1 of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg. |
D1E | Minibuses with trailers | 21 | Combination of drawing vehicles in category D1 and trailer where the MAM1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg. |
Penalty points[edit]
Since 2002, Ireland, like other EU states, has operated a penalty points system for driving offences. If a driver accrues 12 points, their licence is revoked for (at least) 6 months.
Gallery[edit]
- Current Irish driving licence
- Former Irish driving licence (Replaced 2013)
- Former Irish learner's permit (Replaced 2013)
- Old version Irish driving licence (1981)
- Old version Irish provisional driving licence (1976)
- N plate that must be displayed by novice drivers in Ireland
See also[edit]
Requirements For Driving In Ireland
- For Northern Ireland see Driving licence in the United Kingdom
External links[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'NDLS About the driving Licence Categories'. NDLS.ie. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-27.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help) - ^'NDLS driving Licence Categories'. NDLS.ie. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-24.Cite uses deprecated parameter
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(help)
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