Renewal of Driving Licence

grannybroon

My son lives in the Republic of Ireland and his photo driving licence will be due for photo renewal soon. Can he renew when living abroad or should he now obtain an Irish licence.

It would appear from what I have read it could be illegal for him to renew whilst living in Ireland.

Your advice on this would be much appreciated.

DaveF327

If he is permanently resident in the Irish republic, he should exchange his UK licence for a ROI one. All EU licences are inter-exchangeable and he doesn't need to pass a further test.

It's a legal requirement to inform DVLA of any change of address immediately, but they can only issue a licence to an address in GB where the licence holder is normally resident. He did tell DVLA of his move to Ireland, I take it? Did they advise him about this at the time?

If he hasn't, then it is essential that he exchanges his licence for a ROI one within one year of expiry.

For further information on the licence exchange, he should contact the licensing authority in the Republic of Ireland. Useful link here: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Holders-of-foreign-licenses/

Sgt_Pepper_2

Also worth noting if must exchange it and not apply for one while the UK one is still current. You can't hold two eu licences.

DaveF327

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Also worth noting if must exchange it and not apply for one while the UK one is still current. You can't hold two eu licences.

When exchanging, you surrender your UK one to the licensing authority. They won't issue their own licence unless they've received an old one in return.

Rover_Driver

DaveF327 wrote: »

they can only issue a licence to an address in GB where the licence holder is normally resident.

The requirement is a GB home address at which you can be contacted, not necessarily where you are normally resident.

Sgt_Pepper_2

DaveF327 wrote: »

When exchanging, you surrender your UK one to the licensing authority. They won't issue their own licence unless they've received an old one in return.

Yes, well done.

That's why I said exchange and not apply for a local one.