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Driving & Ireland ??

So we're thinking of going to Ireland for Christmas. BF has a family house outside of Shannon - in the totally rural countryside.

He's just got his provisional but isn't sure if he'll have his license by Dec. I have my US one of course - but is it valid? Can I just go over and rent a car like I would anywhere else?

Also, is it a bad idea for me to drive? I've never driven over here (UK or Europe) and expect the weather could be quite bad. Any thoughts?  

Re: Driving & Ireland ??

  • I found someone that rented a car to me at 21 with just my US license.  This was way back in 2002, however.

    It's a bit weird to be on the other side of the road and Irish roads are super windy (as in twist and turn a lot, not being blown about, although that is possible in the rain, too) and tiny, so you definitely have to slow down a lot, but it should be fine. 

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  • Your US license is good for the first year you are here. I've heard that if you get into an accident after that time period you wouldn't be covered by the insurance. A lot of people do it but I would be too nervous that something would happen.
  • I know that it's good for my first year here but aren't the UK and Ireland different in that regard? How would it not be any different from any other US visitor driving in Ireland? 
  • If you have a US passport and a US license then just put it in your name and you should be fine.  Most people need to get a new license bc of insuring their own cars and the cost.   If you are renting in a foreign country you are a tourist (Ireland is not part of the UK, only northern) so any UK rule about getting one to drive here shouldn't apply.

     

    Driving on the opposite side of the road does throw you for a little loop... also ireland has automatic cars to rent but many in England does not.  I would suggest renting a car for a saturday (only 9.99 usually) and get used to driving around.  Plus you can plan other errands that day.

     

    If he turns out to have it in time you can change the driver when you get there.  The enterprise in the UK lets me rent with my NY license, Passport and two proofs of address.

     

     

  • Oh yeah, I'm an idiot, sorry. Somehow I missed the whole Ireland part. I would think it would be the same as a US visitor.
  • Thanks!

    Irish ladies - I know it gets really cold and the weather can be miserable but what's the likelihood of snow at that time of year?  

  • Snow is quite likely. We had a White Christmas last year and it's been getting progressively snowy each winter. We could barely drive out of our driveway and smaller roads were blocked with snow but the main roads are usually regularly cleared but quite tricky. I've gotten stuck on the M50 which easily becomes an ice rink for 4+ hours. It wouldn't stop me driving here. We eventually pushed our car out of the estate and got to my parents house on Christmas day but that is suburban Dublin.
  • We rented a car in Ireland after living in the UK for a few years (so we couldn't drive here) on our US licenses. That part is fine. You can't rent a car on a provisional license so you would have to do all the driving.

    I have to say, the roads were a bit terrifying at times. We were there in the summer but it was really rainy and windy and some of the little roads around Shannon were scary! I didn't end up driving at all, DH did everything. As long as you're a generally confident driver and have snow experience then I'm sure you'd be fine - I'm not a good driver in the best situations so I just didn't do it at all. Just go slow!

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  • We went to the west coast of Ireland last Christmas/NYE. We had some flurries but no real snow. It was wet and cold though and most of the pipes had frozen! We were one of the lucky ones with working water/toilets/etc in the cottage we rented. The roads are small and windy on that side of the country, especially the coast roads, and not necessarily in great condition. Also, it's much more expensive to rent an automatic so keep that in mind. (If you're confident in a manual, then nevermind!)

  • No snow experience here.. I'm from Florida!! 

    I REALLY want to go but am just not sure it's the best idea. Argh.

    I hope he can just hurry up and get his license...

    UK drivers - how many lessons did you take before taking your test?! (Although I expect most of you drove in the states... he's a new driver. Which I'm not sure if it's easier as you don't have to change/correct yourself or if it will take longer...) 

  • we just got back and rented a car. Roads were no worse than UK roads although if you're talking about countryside near Shannon (we went that way), it's little country roads like English country roads- you know where they look like 1 lane but really are 2?! Anyway, have you driven over here before? If you have, you'll be fine. 
  • imagelaurimi:

    Thanks!

    Irish ladies - I know it gets really cold and the weather can be miserable but what's the likelihood of snow at that time of year?  

    The last few winters, fairly high. It's not snow like you'd see in the US typically but it disrupts things even more becuase they have no ability to deal with it. 

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