How can I get my driving License Faster in Ireland?
Short guide
Obtaining a driving licence in Ireland can be a time-consuming process, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with the system.
However, there is a faster alternative that many people may not know about – acquiring a driving licence from Georgia, one of the countries recognised by Ireland for licence exchange.
This could significantly reduce the time it takes to get an Irish driving licence, as long as certain conditions are met.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can get your licence faster by leveraging the Georgian driving licence system and the opportunities it provides.
We'll also discuss the limitations, particularly regarding using your Irish licence in other countries after an exchange.
Why Choose Georgia for Your Driving Licence?
Georgia is part of a select list of countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Ireland, allowing for the exchange of driving licences.
This means that, if you obtain a Georgian driving licence, you can exchange it for an Irish one without having to go through Ireland's often lengthy and complicated driving test process.
This is a massive advantage for residents of Ireland who are looking to get on the road as quickly as possible.
If you’re already a resident in Ireland, you can still benefit from this process. According to the Irish National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), you’re allowed to exchange a Georgian licence even if you’re a resident.
Steps to Obtain a Georgian Driving Licence
While the idea of obtaining a foreign driving licence may seem daunting, the process in Georgia is straightforward and efficient, if you know what to do.
You can try getting it yourself or use our service. We will help you in all the steps of preparing and getting Georgian driving license in Georgia.
- Visit Georgia: The first step is to travel to Georgia. You cannot apply for a Georgian driving licence remotely or exchange a non-recognised licence for a Georgian one. Unfortunately, the system doesn't allow "double swapping," meaning you can't simply exchange your licence from a non-recognised country for a Georgian licence and then swap it for an Irish one.
- Complete the Driving Test: You will need to take a driving test in Georgia. However, many have reported that the driving test process in Georgia is simpler and quicker than in other countries, which makes it a viable option if you're starting from scratch.
- Exchange for an Irish Licence: Once you have your Georgian licence, you can begin the process of exchanging it for an Irish one. According to Irish regulations, you must submit your Georgian driving licence to the NDLS, and in most cases, you won't need to take an additional driving test in Ireland. This process can save a significant amount of time compared to going through the traditional Irish system.
Key Considerations for Licence Exchange
While the process seems easy, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when exchanging your Georgian licence for an Irish one.
- Licence Validity: As with all recognised states, you have a limited period to exchange your Georgian licence for an Irish one. You must do this within one year of the licence's expiration. After that, you will need to apply for an Irish learner's permit and potentially go through the entire Irish driving test process. But you need to exchange it anyway before you can use it in Ireland.
- Legal Requirements: If you are a visitor to Ireland, you can drive on your Georgian licence (or any non-EU/EEA licence) for up to one year. However, once you establish normal residency in Ireland, defined as living there for at least 185 days in a calendar year, you must either exchange your licence or begin the process of applying for an Irish licence.
- Non-Recognised States and EU Rules: One important caveat to note is that while Georgia is a recognised state for Irish driving licence exchanges, Germany and some other EU countries do not recognise the Irish licence obtained through an exchange with Georgia (because its not on the exchange list with these countries) If you got it WHILE you had a legal residency in Germany or that other country. Its fine to use it for touristic reasons in other EU countries.
- This means that while you can drive legally in Ireland and EU if you keep your residency in Ireland, you may not be able to use the same licence in countries like Germany without undergoing further testing if you decide to move your residency to Germany.
- Your Georgian license will be less than 2 years old. RSA told us that your exchanged Irish license will make you a "new/novice driver". You can find more information here. It's different from the Learners Permit! Learners permit is only valid in Ireland but Novice Driver is allowed to drive everywhere, just with some limitations and stricter fines if you e.g. drink and drive.
Is This the Best Option for You?
Obtaining a Georgian licence and exchanging it for an Irish one can be a fantastic way to get your Irish licence faster, especially if you’re looking to avoid the long wait times and complicated testing processes in Ireland. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of this method.
Advantages:
- Faster Process: You can get your licence quicker compared to the traditional Irish route.
- Recognised Exchange: Ireland recognises Georgian licences, which means the exchange process is straightforward.
- No Additional Tests: In most cases, no further testing is required in Ireland after obtaining a Georgian licence of A & B categories.
- Travel to Georgia: You’ll need to travel to Georgia, as there is no remote option to obtain the licence.
- Limited EU Recognition: Your new Irish licence might not be recognised in certain EU countries like Germany if you obtained it while you had your residency there.
- Double Swapping Not Allowed: If you already have a non-recognised driving licence, you cannot exchange it for a Georgian one and then for an Irish one. You will need to start the process from the beginning in Georgia to exchange it in Ireland.
What to Do Before Travelling
Before you embark on this journey, make sure to contact the relevant authorities in Ireland to make sure your plan works out.
The NDLS website provides comprehensive information about recognised countries for licence exchange. Make sure to personally ask them about documents needed for exchange. It might be that they will require an official confirmation from Georgia about validity of your license which you can only request personally while in Georgia. Inform us if you need it please.
If you have any doubts, you can reach out to us on Instagram and we will be glad to assist you.
Conclusion
If you're looking to obtain your Irish driving licence quickly, getting a Georgian driving licence can be an excellent alternative.
Not only does it streamline the process, but it also gives you the flexibility to avoid Ireland’s lengthy and challenging driving test system.
By following the steps outlined above, you can significantly reduce the time and effort required to get your Irish driving licence. Just make sure to do your research, check with relevant authorities, and plan your journey accordingly.
More info on Georgian Driving License process can be found here.
Closing Disclaimer:
Every country has different regulations so it's impossible for us to keep up with all changes and all the updates, thus information provided here doesn't have a legally binding character.
Please inform yourself from your country of residence/destination about any regulations that might hinder you from using/exchanging the Georgian driving license in that country or abroad.
We hope now it became clearer for you!
if you still have questions, feel free to text us on Instagram.
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