Cars and Driving - Ireland Move Club Forums https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/ A Discussion Board en-US Wed, 13 May 2026 12:59:11 +0000 wpForo 60 Thinking of Importing Some Monsters https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/thinking-of-importing-some-monsters/ Mon, 28 Oct 2019 19:43:55 +0000 We are in the planning stages of moving from Texas to Cork.  There are some things that I really can't do without, one of them is my car collection, which wasn't a huge deal as far as one time costs like shipping and all of that...but then I got to the annual registration costs, which are frankly not too clear, but have me concerned.

I have 2 primary daily drivers

  • 2018 Corvette with a 6.2 liter engine
  • 1978 Rolls Royce with a 6.75 liter engine

If I'm understanding the small bit of info I have found on this topic, it looks like I'll be paying several thousand euro a year for the registration stickers for each car.  I feel like I'm reading something wrong.  Is this a realistic expectation?

I also have several other classic V8's that maybe get driven once every couple of months....is there a tax scheme for occasional use, or am I in for a serious shock?

]]> Cars and Driving Hank https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/thinking-of-importing-some-monsters/ Going back to the States and selling my car https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/going-back-to-the-states-and-selling-my-car/ Sun, 08 Sep 2019 08:14:27 +0000 I have to go back to the States sooner than I planned. I have a 2010 Nissan March that bought only a few months ago for a cheap price - €4,500. - and it only had 37,o67 km (about 22k miles). It's an automatic shift and it is classified as 'purple' though it looks more silver with a slight violet tint.  I have not put much mileage on it.  I live just outside of Drumshanbo in Co. Leitrim. I have put very few miles on it, basically locally, a drive up to Derry, and a planned drive down to Tipperary in October. I don't know when I will be able to return to Ireland.  I would try to store it if I knew I was coming back in a reasonable amount of time. I need to sell and it will be available as of 3rd November.  I fly out 4november. If anyone has any suggestions or interest please let me know.  Negotiable on price. It's a great little car, low mileage, auto shift. It sure beats leasing or long term car hire.

Ed Hunt, Co. Leitrim 083 3010064 mobile

]]> Cars and Driving Ed Hunt https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/going-back-to-the-states-and-selling-my-car/ Foreign (US) Driving Licence & Irish Licence Process https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/foreign-us-driving-licence-irish-licence-process/ Fri, 05 Apr 2019 09:57:07 +0000 So, after reading various articles and the new rules regarding the reduction in required driving lessons (6 vs 12, with the possible caveat for insurance discounts after 12 lessons), I'm still unclear on one thing. 

Will you be asked to hand over your U.S. Driving Licence when applying for the Learner's Permit?  Can you get away with driving without a 'licenced companion' as long as you still have your U.S. licence and are still within the 12-month visitation period?  

About the clearest info I've seen on this is that it is a "grey area", but it would be nearly impossible if you have to hand over your foreign driving licence.

Is there anyone with recent experience that can comment on the process?

Thanks!
-Mike

]]> Cars and Driving Mike Hardiman https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/foreign-us-driving-licence-irish-licence-process/ Changes to licensing requirements for foreign license holders (eg US people) https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/changes-to-licensing-requirements-for-foreign-license-holders-eg-us-people/ Sun, 03 Feb 2019 11:28:26 +0000 Hi all I recently got my learners permit in January and on 21st January the law was changed to only require 6 driving lessons rather than 12. You have to apply for a waiver though so do that once you get your permit. The request for a reduction in lessons is now on a form that you print, sign and mail off. Also on the same form is the request for a waiver of 6 months of required driving before you can obtain your full license. I mailed off my waiver request on a Tuesday and received back my approval on the following Wednesday.

https://www.ndls.ie/holders-of-foreign-licences.html#holders-of-driving-licences-from-other-countries

Word of caution: many driving schools offer a discount on insurance with Axa or something if you take 12 lessons so make sure you consider if you take the reduction in lessons if you lose out on the discount on future insurance (the price difference could be meaningful over time).

]]> Cars and Driving Jessalyn https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/changes-to-licensing-requirements-for-foreign-license-holders-eg-us-people/ Got my Full Irish Driving license today. What I learned. https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/got-my-full-irish-driving-license-today-what-i-learned/ Wed, 28 Nov 2018 14:22:01 +0000
  • If you're moving to Ireland from the States, get started on your Irish driving license right away. It can take 9 months to a year, no less than 6 months, and you won't be able to renew your insurance when your US license expires after a year. 
  • You will be able to renew your car insurance if you only have a Learner license. 
  • The entire process will cost nearly €1000
  • Passing the test was much, much harder than passing the test in California when I was a teen. In California, you basically need to know how to operate a car. In Ireland, to pass, you actually have to be a good driver. 
  • I had to get a public services card, but half-way through the year, someone sued, and maybe you don't need it. Regardless, everything was much smoother once I had it. All you need is a utility bill and your passport. 
  • Despite all that, getting the license ended up being an experience that taught me much about Ireland and Irish culture. I wrote about it on my blog. Highly recommend going through all of it. Even though it kicked my ass. 
    • ]]>     Cars and Driving lindarosewood https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/got-my-full-irish-driving-license-today-what-i-learned/     Car loans without credit history https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/car-loans-without-credit-history/ Fri, 05 Oct 2018 02:01:29 +0000 Hello, 

    Preparing for our moving to Ireland in February. Just set up an Irish bank account, and they mentioned we need to start building credit history, and that getting a car loan right away wasn't likely. More like we'd need to build credit for a year or so before a car loan or mortgage would be possible. 

    Anyone else have experience with that? Is it true? I'm wondering if my US credit history does any good, or if a car dealer will be willing to help you out if you give a good size downpayment.

    Thanks.

    Kevin

    ]]>     Cars and Driving Kevin https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/car-loans-without-credit-history/     Bring my car or buy in Ireland? https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/bring-my-car-or-buy-in-ireland/ Wed, 01 Aug 2018 02:18:16 +0000 For those of you who had experience with this: which would be preferable - to bring my car to Ireland from Texas or sell my car and buy one in Ireland? I have two young kids and I am a widow, so I don't savor the idea of having to find alternative means of transportation whilst in Ireland before I am eligible to purchase a vehicle with an Irish bank account. Thoughts? TIA

    ]]>     Cars and Driving Michell Adams https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/bring-my-car-or-buy-in-ireland/     Car Insurance https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/car-insurance/ Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:42:26 +0000 Hi everyone.

    We are returning to Ireland in August after 10 years in Dubai. We have 10 years driving experience and full no claims bonus statement. We are finding it difficult to get a insurance that will consider our driver experience here in Dubai. This despite a protocol by Insurance Ireland and the Government posted here on their website: https://www.insuranceireland.eu/media/documents/Policyholders%20with%20a%20No%20Claims%20Discount%20Moving%20Abroad.pdf

    I have made contact with them and they weren't really able to help. They asked some questions and said they would try but I have not heard any more from them.

    Has anyone have experience of getting a quote that is reasonable and the name of an insurance company that could help?

    Cheers.

    ]]>     Cars and Driving Martin O Keeffe https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/car-insurance/     Short term car lease? https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/short-term-car-lease/ Tue, 05 Jun 2018 04:40:00 +0000 Hi all,

    I'm expecting to be in Ireland for about 3 months and I do want the flexibility of being able to drive around, even if I am located in a city or town. Does anyone know of a dealership or company that does a short-term car lease? I looked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and they wanted over €700 per month. I was hoping to find something cheaper. 

    Unfortunately, the places I'm looking at living don't have a Go-Car service nearby.

    Any ideas?

    ]]>     Cars and Driving Tanya Brody https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/short-term-car-lease/     Importing car to Ireland https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/importing-car-to-ireland/ Sat, 26 May 2018 20:28:28 +0000 Hello All,

    Im moving to Ireland this Oct. and I'm going to ship my 74 MG over also. 

    My question is I bought the car in 2005 from a private owner, and I don't have a bill of sale.

    Any help would be be grand.

    Thanks

    Sean

    ]]>     Cars and Driving Sean Seeley https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/cars-and-driving/importing-car-to-ireland/