[snookums]

The Michelin Guide says that non-EU citizens need an international driving license, but when visiting Irish websites, it usually that Canadian citizens are not required to have one.

For anyone who has driven in Ireland, should I get a IDL? What are the advantages of having it?

I'm leaving at the end of May so I know I still have time to get it, it's just that if I can save 15$, it's 15$ in my pocket (and a couple of pints of Guinness in Dublin )

[mtbr]

my wifes family is from the North they go back and forth quite often and always drive.

Alberta drivers license is all they have. My wife and I both drove and rented a vehicle back in 2000.

[martin14]

there is the law, and there is the application of the law..

two different things..

i had an American friend drive for years in Slovakia with just his US license..

he would get stopped, sometimes no problem, sometimes pay a bribe to the cop.

mtbr, you didnt mention if you had ever been stopped by the police... ????

and if you get the wrong cop on the wrong day, then you are screwed.

my advice, if you are really worried about $15, do you really think you should be travelling to Ireland ??

the only advantage is that you are officially legal... if that matters..

last, others are interested in the process of getting an IDL..

could you post where to go and what you need when you decide to go... please

[BartSimpson]

For a mere $15 it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[TonyCanuck]

I was in Ireland last Sept and drove all over the country on just my BC Drivers License. I am going there again in May and I have rented a car again with no problems. There is no need for an IDL. Hope that helps.

[snookums]

martin14 martin14:

there is the law, and there is the application of the law..

two different things..

i had an American friend drive for years in Slovakia with just his US license..

he would get stopped, sometimes no problem, sometimes pay a bribe to the cop.

mtbr, you didnt mention if you had ever been stopped by the police... ????

and if you get the wrong cop on the wrong day, then you are screwed.

my advice, if you are really worried about $15, do you really think you should be travelling to Ireland ??

the only advantage is that you are officially legal... if that matters..

last, others are interested in the process of getting an IDL..

could you post where to go and what you need when you decide to go... please

Thanks - but as far as being 'worried' about 15$, I don't think anybody likes to spend money if they don't have to, be it 15$ or 1500$.

In Canada, CAA is the only one that can issue IDL - you need 2 passport size pictures, a photocopy of your driver license, the fee and the completed application. You can mail it or go to your CAA.

[snookums]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

For a mere $15 it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

In the end, it's going to be more like 50$ - 30$ in fees for my husband and I, and 10$ each for passport pictures. Money is really not an issue though, IF it's BETTER to have it, we're going to get it (and it's also good for a year anyway)

$1:

I was in Ireland last Sept and drove all over the country on just my BC Drivers License. I am going there again in May and I have rented a car again with no problems. There is no need for an IDL. Hope that helps.

Awesome! That's what we intend to do, drive all over as well. Should be interesting, driving on the wrong side of the road

[TonyCanuck]

lol trust me it WILL be strange and kinda scary at first! It took me a day and a half to really feel comfortable driving there but you will get the hang of it. The roundabouts and driving on the other side of the road will throw you off a bit too but again you will get used to them and how they work. The roads can be incredibly narrow in places and what the Irish call highways will probably surprise you as well lol. I drove over 2000 kms last year in Ireland. I am thinking this time round is gonna be a hell of a lot easier.

[snookums]

Yeah, the wrong side of the road/car is what worries me the most. I mean it must be disorienting at first!! Are Irish really aggressive drivers?

About the the roundabouts - phhh, I'm used to them, we have 1 in Ottawa Kidding aside, I have driven a bit in France, so that doesn't really concern me I know what to do

Any other tips about driving/traveling around Ireland? I kinda have an itinerary, but I'm very flexible. Anything to see/avoid?

[TonyCanuck]

The only thing I noticed is that the Irish do drive very fast! Don't let that phase you and just take your time and drive like you are a tourist...it seemed to work for me. Just a note too..you are NOT allowed to turn left on a red light there..as you are able to turn right on a red light here in Canada.

The Cliffs of Moher is a must. Try driving the Ring of Kerry as well as the beauty of it all will amaze you. You will pass through the Dingle Peninsula and Connor Pass and the town of Dingle as well. Dublin is pretty obvious. Adare is a beautiful town in County Limerick and is close to Limerick City as well. Cork City is interesting and has some sights and Blarney Castle is just outside of Cork City..you can kiss the Blarney Stone there lol. For sure go and see the Rock of Cashel which is in Country Tipperary. It is the ancient capital of Munster with an amazing castle and church ruins and a celtic tower. Also Glendalough in County Wicklow is fanstastic. It has on ancient monastery there and a huge celtic tower amongst other sights and all are right in the middle of the Wicklow Mountains. There is really a lot to see but I think you will enjoy all of it.

[snookums]

Thanks! Those were actually on our to-see list

How about accommodation? Any cool place you would recommend? We will be over there during the Irish holiday on the first Monday of June, so that day, we already have something (if it's anything like the Civic holiday in Ontario, finding a place to stay would be impossible!). But besides that, is it a better idea to have all hotels already booked before we get there? That's something that has been bothering me a bit, because if we have to book everything, we'd be on a schedule and I'm not sure I like having to be rushed going to places..

I really appreciate your input TonyCanuck!

[TonyCanuck]

oh god that's a good question! lol I am lucky because my gf is Irish and the whole time I was there I only had to stay in a hotel once and that was in Dublin. Her family and friends took us in the rest of the time. There are literally thousands of B&B's from what I can remember and most of the pubs have accomadation as well and of course there are always hotels. When we were in Dingle at a pub (lol I did see a lot of pubs )a couple asked the bartender if they had room and I could hear the conversation and they ended up getting a room for 5 days no problem but then again June is heading into prime tourist season. I wish I could offer you some better words of wisdom.

[BartSimpson]

TonyCanuck TonyCanuck:

The only thing I noticed is that the Irish do drive very fast! Don't let that phase you and just take your time and drive like you are a tourist...it seemed to work for me. Just a note too..you are NOT allowed to turn left on a red light there..as you are able to turn right on a red light here in Canada.

The Cliffs of Moher is a must. Try driving the Ring of Kerry as well as the beauty of it all will amaze you. You will pass through the Dingle Peninsula and Connor Pass and the town of Dingle as well. Dublin is pretty obvious. Adare is a beautiful town in County Limerick and is close to Limerick City as well. Cork City is interesting and has some sights and Blarney Castle is just outside of Cork City..you can kiss the Blarney Stone there lol. For sure go and see the Rock of Cashel which is in Country Tipperary. It is the ancient capital of Munster with an amazing castle and church ruins and a celtic tower. Also Glendalough in County Wicklow is fanstastic. It has on ancient monastery there and a huge celtic tower amongst other sights and all are right in the middle of the Wicklow Mountains. There is really a lot to see but I think you will enjoy all of it.

Oh, and do be sure to see my drunken relatives in Sligo.

[sasquatch2]

On a practical note:

Driving on what we consider is the worng side of the road is not really a problem anywhere in the British Isles or elsewhere where this bizarre practice occurs.
For starters the rental vehicle is a right hand drive, and this disorientation takes you halfway----the rules are the same as here.........drive to miss.