r/MoveToIreland • u/here-to-read- • Mar 27 '26
Car Insurance with a Foreign Driver's License
Hey all!
So I've just moved to Dublin recently, I have a foreign driver's license that I cannot exchange, so I am currently in the process of passing the Irish one (I have my learner's permit)
But I was also renting a car for a month with my foreign driver's license (it was all fine, since I have 12 months until I am legally obliged to get the Irish license)
Now I really need to buy a car. So do you know of any insurance companies that work with these cases and that won't charge a premium?
Thank you!
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u/Dandylion71888 Mar 27 '26
Soooo your learners permit supersedes your foreign license which means you can’t drive alone etc.
“Please note: Once you obtain an Irish learner permit, this will take precedence over your full foreign driving licence and all rules and regulations pertaining to the holder of a learner permit applies / e.g., display of “L” plates, must be accompanied etc.,”
That’s pretty much going to complicate things for you. You no longer have 12 months, you can’t drive on your international license.
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u/here-to-read- Mar 27 '26
Thank you so much! I am glad I asked here first, I did not even think of that!
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u/uselesslogin Mar 27 '26
In practice I don't think anyone but the people on Reddit know this. You can get insured and someone reported the insurance company did cover them when they got into an accident. Most guards probably wouldn't know either. But, of course, I'm not recommending it. And I think Brady and McCarthy insurance are brokers that sell it. They either have no idea of that law or can't actually check if you have a learner's permit.
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u/here-to-read- Mar 28 '26 edited Apr 01 '26
Hmmm I see, because I was also renting and did mention that I have my learner's permit, and they said no need, just your international license. I am soooo lost now, because I really cannot wait for 8 months to get a car, transportation here isn’t the best
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u/uselesslogin Mar 28 '26
The weird thing is if you never came on Reddit would you have any idea? That being said if you got the 6 month waiting period waived you can look for cancellations. Also my wait was only 4 months. You can find the center with the shortest wait and still change it when you get the invitation too.
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u/katyfail Mar 27 '26
If you’re American, try Healy Insurances in Kerry. They were recommended to me and were really helpful.
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u/yagirlleens_33 Mar 27 '26
Allianz insured me with a Canadian license - it was pretty pricey though.
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u/hostilegoose Mar 31 '26
this is not related to the post but I’m very curious to know what came of the girl who wore orange out on St. Patrick’s Day that you posted about in AITAH
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u/Kindly_Difference998 Mar 27 '26
Get a full license then get a car and insurance, you wont be allowed to drive on your own with the learners anyways so what is the point
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u/Glittering_Action308 Apr 14 '26
You cannot drive on your old licence if you have started the Irish drivers licence process, it is considered fraud. If you get into an accident, the insurance companies will not cover you and you can be charged.
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u/Parking_Fan_8050 Mar 27 '26
Frankly it’s all bullshit.
I have an Irish learners permit yet my insurance broker used my foreign license for coverage after 21 months of being here. It’s just an insurance game we all have to pay to play. It’s not and never was about safety.
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u/here-to-read- Mar 28 '26
Thanks for sharing And are you driving with your foreign license ? Cause it looks like we’re not allowed once we get the learners permit
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u/EiectroBot Apr 08 '26
Just be cautious. Insurance companies will give you insurance relatively easily. It’s when you claim that they get sticky about details. So if you were to get into an accident and did have a claim, things could become complicated.
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u/Parking_Fan_8050 Mar 28 '26
Look at it this way- your foreign license is suitable for RENTING a car in Ireland for as long as it’s valid right? Keep it for that.
I have insurance coverage and that’s all that matters.
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u/sea_sparkles Mar 29 '26
My insurance agent said regulations have tightened and requested our current license by the end of the month (per insurer’s request). They used to have policies that covered any foreign license and no one checked after the 12 months. This may no longer be the case. I was told that insurer would not cover a driver without an Irish license after the 12 months. For the 12 months, coverage was through Chubb via an agent, combo car and home contents insurance as it required both.
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u/Sea_Witch7777 Mar 30 '26
Liberty/Red Devil. Cut costs by telling them about your 9 years no claims bonus. They will ask for the paperwork after a year, when you're about to switch to a different insurance company with your Irish license.
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u/vagabond_sue1960 Apr 12 '26
I did this. I eventually had to out my neighbour onto my policy.
Tes: i had to put my neighbour on my policy!!
I've driven accident free for decades. No one would cover me except one small local insurance broker in Kerry who said if I got my neighbour on there they would take me. 🤯
It did come in handy as I got to drink at the Springsteen concert in Cork and she drove us home in my car.... 🎸
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u/here-to-read- Apr 13 '26
Do you mind me messaging you?
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u/vagabond_sue1960 Apr 13 '26
Go ahead. I just noticed the typos up there. I HATE my new phone's autocorrect! 🙈
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u/nephron320 22d ago
Similar situation and an agent got me underwritten by Prestige. Don’t dismiss the idea of working with an agency, they know the market and can be helpful
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u/mennamachine Mar 27 '26
Unfortunately, once you applied for your Irish learner's permit, you must follow the regulations for a learner's permit, for the purposes for driving in Ireland. (basically- your old foreign driver's license ceases to exist here)
https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html#holders-of-driving-licences-from-other-countries
'Please note: Once you obtain an Irish learner permit, this will take precedence over your full foreign driving licence and all rules and regulations pertaining to the holder of a learner permit applies / e.g., display of “L” plates, must be accompanied etc.,'