UK Driving License

mattaiuseire

Hi Guys,

I'm considering getting a 125 to run me around - I am almost 30 years old and have had a UK full driving license for about 13 years and when I was 16 I did my CBT in the UK (Compulsory Basic Training) on a 50cc moped. A Year later I passed my driving test first time. Never bothered with the bikes any more because for one it got stolen and a couple of years later I drove in a car.

Wondering if I am able to use this license to ride a bike up to 125 over here?

Cheers for your help,

Matt

jimgoose

I wouldn't think so. Category AM covers up to 50cc, and A1 up to 125cc. What entitlement does your UK license show for bikes, if any?

mattaiuseire

jimgoose wrote: »

I wouldn't think so. Category AM covers up to 50cc, and A1 up to 125cc. What entitlement does your UK license show for bikes, if any?

I'll check my licence and let you know shortly but I'm pretty sure on the back of it there is a category that relates to engines up to 125cc... could be wrong though!

mattaiuseire

Ok so I've checked it and I can use:

A and AM which I've googled and found that in the UK:

A is: You can drive:

motorbikes with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio more than 0.2kW/kg
motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW


AM is:

You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph).

This category also includes light quad bikes with:

unladen mass of not more than 350kg (not including batteries if it’s an electric vehicle)
maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph)


So obviously I can't just pick up a 125 and jump on it. Can someone please direct me what I will need to do from now?

Thanks.

jimgoose

mattaiuseire wrote: »

...So obviously I can't just pick up a 125 and jump on it. Can someone please direct me what I will need to do from now?

Thanks.

Um, if you have a full "A" on your license you can ride anything from a Cub 50 to a Goldwing! Happy days!

mattaiuseire

But I've never taken a bike test I've only ever done car theory and car practical and just the basic training on a 50cc moped...

mattaiuseire

Ahhh... just noticed that I have a code next to it 79(tri) which apparently means I can only ride a trike.

So where do I start if I want to pick up a 125, do I need to apply for an Irish licence?

jimgoose

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Ahhh... just noticed that I have a code next to it 79(tri) which apparently means I can only ride a trike.

So where do I start if I want to pick up a 125, do I need to apply for an Irish licence?

Oh arse. That means you'll have to start from scratch, with the theory test, learner permit and IBT.

mattaiuseire

Arse indeed!!

Very confusing this... just on the NDLS website and I don't know where to start, too many options, do i choose brand new application, add a category to an existing..?!

If I applied for a new driving car licence I would have to take a car test in order to get the Irish licence right? Even though I can already drive with my UK licence.

Or am I just applying for a motorbike licence and having to go through the theory and basic training etc?

gerrowadat

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Arse indeed!!

Very confusing this... just on the NDLS website and I don't know where to start, too many options, do i choose brand new application, add a category to an existing..?!

If I applied for a new driving car licence I would have to take a car test in order to get the Irish licence right? Even though I can already drive with my UK licence.

Or am I just applying for a motorbike licence and having to go through the theory and basic training etc?

I'd say you're best off swapping your UK license for an Irish one, then getting a learner for category A separately. Then when you pass your test you add the A to your full irish license.

mattaiuseire

Thank you and do you think it is as simple as just swapping the licence? Like will they not make me do another practical?

Roadcraft

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Thank you and do you think it is as simple as just swapping the licence? Like will they not make me do another practical?

You can swap your UK car licence for an Irish one, no test required.

mattaiuseire

Thank you guys you're shamazing.

I wonder if you know - what about endorsements on the UK licence, surely they wouldn't be able to transfer them?

jimgoose

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Thank you guys you're shamazing.

I wonder if you know - what about endorsements on the UK licence, surely they wouldn't be able to transfer them?

This is Ireland. Say nattin' bah!

No, seriously, I don't believe so. But sure plough on regardless.

Roadcraft

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Thank you guys you're shamazing.

I wonder if you know - what about endorsements on the UK licence, surely they wouldn't be able to transfer them?

Yes, they can not transfer endorsements or penalty points that you got on your UK licence, but if you where banned for (eg. drink driving) on your UK licence they would not issue an Irish licence.

mattaiuseire

Oh no I only have 6 points for speeding but I think 3 should be dropping off any time now if i was to ask the DVLA in the UK.

I have it on good authority that I can't get points endorsed on a UK licence in Ireland and vice-versa so was always going to keep my licence UK style... but I suppose it isn't practical.

DubVelo

I think you could keep your UK car license and apply for a new bike license here separately.
Don't see any reason why not and not sure what advantage you'd gain by exchanging it.

mattaiuseire

DubVelo wrote: »

I think you could keep your UK car license and apply for a new bike license here separately.
Don't see any reason why not and not sure what advantage you'd gain by exchanging it.

It's a good point - can anybody answer this?

Roadcraft

mattaiuseire wrote: »

It's a good point - can anybody answer this?

You dont have to change your UK licence if it is still valid.
Do your theory test for a bike & apply for a category 'A' learner permit (unrestricted category), complete IBT & off you go.

Faith+1

Roadcraft wrote: »

You dont have to change your UK licence if it is still valid.
Do your theory test for a bike & apply for a category 'A' learner permit (unrestricted category), complete IBT & off you go.

As a matter of interest Roadcraft are the examiners on bikes now or are they still following in a car?

mattaiuseire

Roadcraft wrote: »

You dont have to change your UK licence if it is still valid.
Do your theory test for a bike & apply for a category 'A' learner permit (unrestricted category), complete IBT & off you go.

Thank you.

Maybe I'd be better exchanging my driving licence anyway because I've lived here for a couple of years now city centre Dublin so not really needed a car, but thinking about getting one soon, so insurance quotes might be cheaper if I've got the Irish licence.

Roadcraft

Faith+1 wrote: »

As a matter of interest Roadcraft are the examiners on bikes now or are they still following in a car?

Mostly bike to bike, but still using cars at some test centres.

Vologda69

mattaiuseire wrote: »

It's a good point - can anybody answer this?

Yes you do not have to exchange until you pass your bike test in Ireland. And while insurance companies are not supposed to penalise drivers with EU licences, they do. So expect a jacked up premium as no penalty points can be applied to these licences.

DubVelo

Vologda69 wrote: »

Yes you do not have to exchange until you pass your bike test in Ireland. And while insurance companies are not supposed to penalise drivers with EU licences, they do. So expect a jacked up premium as no penalty points can be applied to these licences.

But the OP's UK car license has nothing to do with an Irish bike learner permit. Why would you have to exchange a non-Irish car license when you pass an Irish bike test...?

You could easily get speculative quotes with EU vs Irish car license and see if they really do try to charge you more.

Del2005

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Thank you guys you're shamazing.

I wonder if you know - what about endorsements on the UK licence, surely they wouldn't be able to transfer them?

If you where ever an naughty driver in Ireland and got a fine with your UK licence all the penalty points you've acquired will be added to you new Irish licence.

AFAIK they still don't carry across penalty points, are endorsements the same in the UK as they can be different here?

Vologda69

DubVelo wrote: »

But the OP's UK car license has nothing to do with an Irish bike learner permit. Why would you have to exchange a non-Irish car license when you pass an Irish bike test...?

You could easily get speculative quotes with EU vs Irish car license and see if they really do try to charge you more.

Im afraid you are misinformed. OP will have to register his UK licence in order to get the permit with NDLS. When he passes the full bike test he will have no choice but to exchange his UK car licence or NDLS will not issue a full bike licence on its own. MTO days of holding two full licences in different categories are gone. RSA will confirm same.

mattaiuseire

What do you mean by register my UK licence? You mean I would have to exchange it for an Irish one and then apply for a permit to learn anything over 50cc? So confused with this so thank you all for your help!

cantdecide

Vologda69 wrote: »

Im afraid you are misinformed. OP will have to register his UK licence in order to get the permit with NDLS. When he passes the full bike test he will have no choice but to exchange his UK car licence or NDLS will not issue a full bike licence on its own. MTO days of holding two full licences in different categories are gone. RSA will confirm same.

/high fives

mattaiuseire wrote: »

You mean I would have to exchange it for an Irish one

Nope.

mattaiuseire wrote: »

What do you mean by register my UK licence?

Literally that. You can apply for any or all of the A categories (assuming you don't have those categories on your UK licence- I will try to find out about the 79 notation, I'm not sure it means what you think it means, it's ringing a bell), you will have to declare on the D201 form that you have a UK licence and you will have to bring it with you to the NDLS. They will register that you have a foreign licence and the foreign entitlements that you have- if you have a foreign group 2 entitlement for example, you can't apply for the same learner category here.

In your case, you will be issued a learner permit for the A's and in the event you go on to pass your test you must then exchange the foreign licence and submit your cert of competency for your new Irish entitlements (A's) and you will be issued a licence with your UK and Irish full entitlements. The foreign entitlements will bear the code 70 denoting that they were earned abroad.

mattaiuseire

Ok so... I need to apply for a learner biker permit face to face to at the NDLS and take my full UK licence with me. They will give me back my UK licence so I can continue to use that to drive a car, and issie me with a biker learner permit? And once the bike test is passed I will need to give up my UK licence for them to issue me with the Irish licence which will include my new A group?

cantdecide

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Ok so... I need to apply for a learner biker permit face to face to at the NDLS and take my full UK licence with me. They will give me back my UK licence so I can continue to use that to drive a car, and issie me with a biker learner permit? And once the bike test is passed I will need to give up my UK licence for them to issue me with the Irish licence which will include my new A group?

Yup

Del2005

mattaiuseire wrote: »

Ok so... I need to apply for a learner biker permit face to face to at the NDLS and take my full UK licence with me. They will give me back my UK licence so I can continue to use that to drive a car, and issie me with a biker learner permit? And once the bike test is passed I will need to give up my UK licence for them to issue me with the Irish licence which will include my new A group?

Don't forget the paper bit if you have a CC type licence