Left Hand Drive

[Stephanie]

Hiya all,

I am in the market for a Left Hand Drive car.

I've done the net search, now am asking if anyone would happen to know of a smallish, good condition LHD vehicle..

(I am not looking for advice and insight as to why this is not a good idea.. )

PLease Pm me. Thanks.

[anon361]

Did you want to buy it in this country or travel to another and import it?

[Stephanie]

Did you want to buy it in this country or travel to another and import it?

Anon, thank you for the reply.. I am now the "proud" (frustrated ?) owner of a LHD.

However, now it has come to my attention that no company will insure me

with my American driver's license... Grrrr. ARGH.

So, I need to get a Provisional Irish ?? Argh..

(Anon, still would love to get whatever info you have re LHD, as the one I just got is a throw away,

will be in the market for a mre serious ride

I feel a prisoner without wheels.. All my life I had a car under me..


.

[JAMESCORK]

Why limit yourself to a LHD.

[dave1dave]

I'm not sure about this but I vaguely remember a thing called an international driving licence.
I think you can get one if you have a valid full licence from the states.
It might save you from having to get a provisional.

As for LHD cars, I think the reason why you got no recommendations is that there very few in the country for obvious reasons. They are an absolute nightmare on Irish roads. You are driving blind most of the time if you are behind traffic on secondary roads.
Believe me I know, I imported a beautiful VW Karmann Ghia from the states around 20 years ago, it was LHD and it was a horrible experience to drive. Insurance was also higher.
Eventually I had to get it converted to RHD.

Maybe get a RHD automatic ?

[monster_monster]

I'm not sure about this but I vaguely remember a thing called an international driving licence.
I think you can get one if you have a valid full licence from the states.
It might save you from having to get a provisional.

As for LHD cars, I think the reason why you got no recommendations is that there very few in the country for obvious reasons. They are an absolute nightmare on Irish roads. You are driving blind most of the time if you are behind traffic on secondary roads.
Believe me I know, I imported a beautiful VW Karmann Ghia from the states around 20 years ago, it was LHD and it was a horrible experience to drive. Insurance was also higher.
Eventually I had to get it converted to RHD.

Maybe get a RHD automatic ?

As far as I am aware the International Drivers Licence is only a temporary thing, if you are spending more than a certain amount of time (3 months I think) in a country you will have to apply for one of theirs.

[Dohnut Boy]

I checked out the driving licence situation when I moved to Ireland, it's different for EU states and other countries. But a US licence allows you to drive for the "the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months)".

The relevant info is here Steph:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...ng_permit.html

[Stephanie]

I'm not sure about this but I vaguely remember a thing called an international driving licence.
I think you can get one if you have a valid full licence from the states.
It might save you from having to get a provisional.

As for LHD cars, I think the reason why you got no recommendations is that there very few in the country for obvious reasons. They are an absolute nightmare on Irish roads. You are driving blind most of the time if you are behind traffic on secondary roads.
Believe me I know, I imported a beautiful VW Karmann Ghia from the states around 20 years ago, it was LHD and it was a horrible experience to drive. Insurance was also higher.
Eventually I had to get it converted to RHD.

Maybe get a RHD automatic ?

Thank you Dave x,

I'd have to get the international in US, before travel (I think. Still checking).

I have no trouble with stick(shift), I can drive a RHD, no probs, I can pass any driving test..

But it's not comfortable to drive it, I don't feel the car, don't feel the road, the size of the car..

Have driven both RHD and LHD in UK. I know the inconveniences of LHD, it's no prob for me.

I prefer it to the insecure feeling of driving a RHD.. With LHD I can pass another with only an inch to spare between us.

With RHD I feel insecure enough that there's a foot on each side.. Very not nice feeling.

.

[doodlebug]

The international licence lasts for up to 12 months, but I think as you have said Stephanie you must apply in the US. I know when I was travelling last year I obtained two international licences, one covered most countries and the second was for Brazil and Romania.

I wouldn't be so worried about the left hand drive situation if you are not a boy racer. Which having read your profile I am presuming you are not, ha ha.

[Stephanie]

I checked out the driving licence situation when I moved to Ireland, it's different for EU states and other countries. But a US licence allows you to drive for the "the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months)".

The relevant info is here Steph:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...ng_permit.html

Thank you DB

I came across the same website and information yesterday.. (even saved it away)

Still insurance companies do not want to issue a policy on a US license. Grrrr.

And the research goes on..