Irish Citizen - Irish License - UK Speeding fine - reside in UK

[aide]

Hi there,

I recently received a speeding fine in a rented van near warwickshire. I live in the UK, am irish and rented the van using my Irish license.

I have a couple of questions that you guys might be able to help me with:
-o- Will I get points on my Irish license?
-o- If I get a UK license (which I currently do not have) will the three points be added to the uk license if and when I get one?
-o- Has anyone ever heard of the Speed Awareness Workshop?

Many thanks!
Adrian.

[Loosehead]

No points on Irish Licence.

Points will be added on to your driver record, which will be created. You do not need a licence to have a driver record. When/if you get a licence the points will be on it.

The speed awareness is offered instead of points by some forces, generally it's for mild cases like 37 in a 30 for example. You still have to pay for the course and the fine.

[aide]

Thanks Loosehead for you answer to my question. It was spot on nice one.

I was thinking of getting a car here in the UK after christmas.

Can I have a UK and Irish License at the same time?

I get back to Ireland every 6-8 weeks and was thinking I could rent cars when I'm home in Ireland on the UK license and insure my UK car (when I get one) on the Irish License?

That way I could avoid points altogether?

[Loosehead]

You can have 2 licences. It will not enable you to avlod points though. There is no concept of "Insuring a car on a licence" insurers care that you have one, other than that it's the authorities that care. The UK authorities will prosecute you whether you have a licence or not, it's easier if you do. You may use your British licence to hire a car in Ireland but that does not effect your driver status in the Irish system. I don't know for certain but I would imagine the Irish system prosecute you as an Irish Driver.

[BenDToy]

..and don't forget that you are presenting an insurer with a perfect excuse to avoid paying out on a claim. Which is something they are all very keen to do these days.

[Banali]

I have checked this out as my husband has recently been banned in the UK under the totting up procedure and we are currently living in Ireland.

You can hold both Irish and UK driving licences. However, under UK law, if you receive a ban, you are not allowed to drive whether you hold another licence or not. It is the individual that is banned from driving.

So while you can avoid the points by switching licences, you are liable to prosecution if you drive whilst banned in the UK. I am not sure if the same law applies in Ireland, but I would assume it is the same.

The points are not reciprocal as in Ireland the standard is 2 points, in the UK it's 3. They are working towards making it reciprocal across the EU by 2012 i believe.

[Banali]

Hi, the Speed Awareness Workshop is a once only offer to attend a workshop and avoid the points being applied to your licence.

You must accept the offer within the specified time, attend the full workshop and arrive on time, latecomers will be refused entry and the points will be applied.