Beginning in 2024, all motor insurers will require a driver number

How would that solve the issue of drivers who haven't sat tests? Isn't the whole issue that these drivers were issued licences without tests? If they have a licence, they have a driver number, so are not affected by this at all

Looks like a good idea, my last 3 times of been insured they have looked for a scan of my licence so assume they recorded that number from it but probably didn't legally need to until now.

I think there's also something happening this month with garage/trade policies that they must record all cars on the policy with their insurer and keep it up to date with changes so ANPR system has an accurate listing of what cars are insured in the country.

How will that work for an open policy 🤔

I'm not holding on to anything. I assumed those were the drivers your OP was referring to, since you didn't elaborate until your later post.

But even with your clarification - those drivers still have a driver number which they got with their original provisional, so again, how does this requirement affect them?

I understand this, but I do not see a problem with insurance companies doing this, I see it as a positive move.

Lying would potentially invalidate their insurance regardless of any other clause.

The other drivers insurance have paid him for the damage to his Jeep, a write off, Gardai said they won't summons him and he has a learner permit and is in the process of getting a licence

I haven't heard of this,

I am driving on my UK licence. It has been reported to AXA and noted on the renewal if I recall. Is an English driver number acceptable or will I have to swap?

I know I should have got an Irish licence anyway, but never got around to the switch.

SK

I think only one private insurer I've ever used in two decades has actually asked to see my licence, so there is a need to force the issue.

My employers insurers haven't even asked this time, previous jobs have. Only driven a company vehicle three or four times in 18 months but I am listed as a driver

🙄 Don't start. I can just imagine. "Sure she's been driving all her life and never had a problem before. Will having a bit of paper or a bit of plastic in her purse make her any better a driver than she is without it..."

The insurance company will always cover 3rd parties after an RTC but they can and do sue the person who's policy was invalid in the courts to recoup the costs and they always win as it's a civil case. You might have "insurance" but you'll end up paying for the other persons claim!

Drivers licences expiring are different to never having a licence. If my B licence expires I'm still covered to drive as it was never cancelled, but after 10 years I can't drive as I now need to apply for a learners permit as I can't renew the licence. If you are driving unaccompanied on a learners permit you aren't covered, see my previous paragraph.

Software architect for a large insurance company here: If your licence has expired you won't be able to get insurance. You might be insured if your licence expires during the term, but only until your insurance comes up for renewal. You can't renew with a licence that is expired.

Thanks but the license has not expired, it's still valid in the UK and indeed here for insurance purposes. I was particularly careful to ensure that the license was acceptable when I took out the insurance.

It caused problems with one or two brokers, but to be honest It was stupid of me to apply through brokers when it's possible to go direct anyway, fair play to AXA really, they made what was a total nightmare pretty simple. Even in the UK years back a quick call to a broker before the internet would get me on the road with a cover note, here it was almost impossible to buy a car and drive it away from the dealer. You wo0uldn't believe the lunacy some "brokers" spouted.

I will make inquiries next week as to getting the UK one swapped, when I tried before Covid was rampant and the place in Tralee was closed. Since then the publicity about switching has ebbed and One forgets.

This thread has jogged my memory!

It is valid for insurance purposes at present, which is my overriding concern.

I find that I can apply online anyway for a switch, so it will not be a problem.

From past experience the guards here seem a little more tolerant for technicalities than the UK police, I found this out when my tax disk holder broke on my motorcycle years back and when stopped I had it in my pocket, not on the bike. In the UK this would have been a fine.

I can't see that the UK licence would be a major problem anyway as the only support documentation I need for an Irish licence is proof of address and the UK licence. My points attracting driving style has gone forever, so I am not benefitting in any material way.

Anyway it's academic, as soon as I figure out where my PPS card is, I will do it online.

Yes, I have since found out.

I'll book an appointment, it seems easier.

I had an email from the insurance company last week asking for a driver number, the email suggests foreign licence numbers are acceptable. I sent in the English driver number anyway and have not heard back yet.

I will give them a ring if I don't hear back.

More’s the pity; he likely lied to get an offer of insurance, e.g. if he claimed to have a full licence. That carries a custodial sentence which is what it sounds like he deserves.

How will this change work with open driving policies, I wonder?

Or are we seeing the beginning of the end for open driving?

I don’t think I was ever asked by Liberty to produce licence - just to declare that I had one!

But I came here prior to Ireland and England entering the EU. I always drove on my English licence with two exceptions, one was when my licence was having speeding points added and I had to get an international licence and the other was when I wanted to bring a motorcycle and my motorcycle test was due the week before, so I applied for an Irish provisional licence as a "fail safe". English provisional licences were not valid.

I can still do a simple swop, it turns out I cannot do it online though as I don't have a photographic card with my PPS number.

I know full well what the UK is like. There is no flexibility. I think a lot of the inflexibility is simply a cash grab, anyone with a car is instantly traceable and four wheels means they have some money at least, so police, councils and any thug that can buy a clamping kit and signage sees the motorist as their own little "golden goose".

It depends what you mean by a "proper" licence.

Up to this point I have always been fully legal in any country I drove in.

If my insurance is valid with the licence that I'm using, I am doing no harm to anyone.

My insurance is valid, I have the email and certificate to prove it, so I don't feel too uncomfortable about the situation.

I expect those that look on it as a way of avoiding points feel put out, but as my motorised pub crawls and speeding are things of the past, points are not something that concern me. In the UK they can apply points to people without a licence, as some lads I went to school with found out. The points were added to their first provisional licence if I recall. I'm sure the same would happen here when I do switch anyway.

Don’t think I have ever switched insurance companies in the last 20 years without sending a copy of the licence to them

I don't see the point of it then.

There are piles of insurers that don't check your licence (currently).

I had to provide it once in my entire time having insurance - to Travelers (who have now left the market), but I've never given it to 123 (when RSA tied and owned), Quinn/Liberty, FBD (direct or nononsense branded) or AIG.

Quinn was the only one I ever used with a provisional, and they didn't ask for the full when informing them of the change in status either.

There's a lot of reliance on the "utmost good faith" basis by insurers in Ireland (nearly said Irish insurers, but 3/4 of those are UK/US)