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AA International Driving Permit - Worthwhile getting?

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  • 02-05-2012 9:53am
    #1
    MrThrifty
    Registered Users Posts: 491 ✭✭


    Does anyone know if this permit is of any advantage over a standard Irish license in developed countries like Canada and Australia? I get the impression that it served a purpose in the past but now is only of use in a limited number of countries (developing ones).


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    #2
    Zambia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,333 ✭✭✭Zambia


    Its no advantage in Australia. Your Irish licence will do.


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    #3
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    its as handy just to get a local drivers license in canada tbh


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    #4
    retalivity
    Registered Users Posts: 14,298 ✭✭✭✭retalivity


    its only valid for 90 days after arriving in the country as well....handy if youre going on a holiday and renting a car, not so handy if you are moving and wont have a car for a few months


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    #5
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    retalivity wrote: »
    its only valid for 90 days as well....handy if youre going on a holiday and renting a car, not so handy if you are moving and wont have a car for a few months

    you can get them valid for a year

    my last one was... i never used it, but it was good for a year according to the documentation in it


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    #6
    retalivity
    Registered Users Posts: 14,298 ✭✭✭✭retalivity


    yeah i worded that wrong.
    Its only valid for the first 90 days you are present in a country. After that, if a person wants to drive they must have a local valid license afaik


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    #7
    Zambia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,333 ✭✭✭Zambia


    With respect thats wrong how can such a standard be set worldwide.

    Here in Victoria a local licence must be obtained 6 Months after your arrival on a PR visa or after PR is granted. Otherwise you can drive on your Irish licence.


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    #8
    retalivity
    Registered Users Posts: 14,298 ✭✭✭✭retalivity


    i was sure i saw the 3 month thing with respect to canada when i went looking at that license. Now i cant seem to fiond any info on it.

    Anyway, I couldnt get one now due to the residency requirements


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    #9
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    retalivity wrote: »
    i was sure i saw the 3 month thing with respect to canada when i went looking at that license. Now i cant seem to fiond any info on it.

    yeah im pretty sure there's nothing like that there at all
    retalivity wrote: »
    Anyway, I couldnt get one now due to the residency requirements

    just get someone in ireland to post off the form for you and get it sent to their address and forwarded on to you - easy peasy;)


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    #10
    lindzation
    Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭lindzation


    Helix wrote: »
    yeah im pretty sure there's nothing like that there at all



    just get someone in ireland to post off the form for you and get it sent to their address and forwarded on to you - easy peasy;)

    That's what we did - super easy and super cheap!
    Do you know if you can apply for another one for a year or once the first year is up that's it?


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    #11
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    lindzation wrote: »
    That's what we did - super easy and super cheap!
    Do you know if you can apply for another one for a year or once the first year is up that's it?

    i have one at the moment that's my second one, but there was a year gap between them, so im not sure on that


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    #12
    MrThrifty
    Registered Users Posts: 491 ✭✭MrThrifty


    Helix wrote: »
    i have one at the moment that's my second one, but there was a year gap between them, so im not sure on that

    Are you talking about the international license permit here or an Irish one?


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    #13
    Helix
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,661 ✭✭✭✭Helix


    MrThrifty wrote: »
    Are you talking about the international license permit here or an Irish one?

    international license

    irish one is essentially worthless in canada (apart from letting you skip waiting times for your canadian license)


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    #14
    bkehoe
    Registered Users Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭bkehoe


    MrThrifty wrote: »
    Does anyone know if this permit is of any advantage over a standard Irish license in developed countries like Canada and Australia? I get the impression that it served a purpose in the past but now is only of use in a limited number of countries (developing ones).

    I've been driving in countries all over the world, developed and really undeveloped and never ever had a problem with my Irish licence. I looked into the IDP before moving to Africa a few years ago as I thought it'd be the most risky and in the end decided not to bother and see how I got on and was fine. Waste of money in my opinion.


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