Well we have officially survived a year in our new home country and still love it here. We've now lived in 2 different houses, had 4 different cars, raised 2 puppies, I started selling photographs (TJLG.SMUGMUG.COM), and we've had a great first year at ICBF among a few other things.
But this blog post isn't about the joys we've had, and how we all survived our first longer term guests. No this is about the ridiculous practices in Ireland which have made me appreciate the American DMV.
After one year in the beautiful country we were told we had to get Irish drivers licenses. No big deal, I've been driving for over 17 years so I just go to their DMV, and ask to get a new license, right? Let's go to Grumpy cat for that answer...
Ok, so what do I need to do?
1.) Memorize 871 questions about driving in Ireland.
2.) Set up a time to take a written test (if there are not any slots at the closest location you can drive anywhere in the country to do this)
3.)Take a written "Driving Theory Test" at a specific location though there are no directions on how to get to that location
4.) Hopefully pass the test.
5.) Make an appointment at ANOTHER place to turn in all your paperwork
6.) Attend above appointment and turn in a pile of paperwork that provides them with everything except your first born child
7.) Set up 12 driving lessons (Wait... What??? I've been driving for 17 years! A manual? Oh, well that's a bit different. I guess I can do it in a pinch just don't make me stop and start in a traffic situation, or start from a hill, or actually drive the thing.)
8.) Successfully complete all 12 lessons and receive the teachers full blessings and a papal dispensation for all your past driving transgressions
9.) Set up a time to take a driving test (again this could be anywhere around the country depending on how soon you need it)
10.) Take said driving test and do things like back around a blind corner
11.) You are officially allowed to drive a car or a tractor in the country of Ireland!
So far I've managed to complete steps 1-6, so I'm just a bit over 1/2 way there!
We tried to schedule our test in Cork. No slots for over a week, so we found a slot 3 days later in Skibberrine about a hour away. Sadly there were not any slots for turning our paper work in on the same day so we chose the next available day at the the second closest spot. Saturday a week later in Waterford, 2.5 hours away. See why this was a bit frustrating?
Now for the test...
In the US you are asked questions like:
When you approach a railroad crossing without flashing warning signals or crossing
gates, you should:
a.cross the tracks as quickly as possible.
b. always stop.
c. yield to all trains at the crossing.
d. speed up to beat the train
In Ireland we got questions like:
When is it permissible for children to drive a tractor?
a. When it's off the public road
b. When they are 14 years of age
c. Never
d. When they are properly instructed
What should you do if you see farm animals crossing the road ahead of you?
a. Turn back immediately
b. Sound your horn to move them
c. Stop and allow them to continue before crossing
d. Continue at the same speed, the animals will move out of the way
What does the catalytic converter do?
a. Reduce emissions
b. Reduce gas mileage
c. Increase emissions
d. Increase something else I can't remember
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| What does this sign mean? Another great question from the test! |
Wanna have some fun? Take the test for yourself! http://www.ism.ie/advice/theory-test/mock-theory-test
This test is set up for people who only drive manual cars, and tractors so I had questions about down shifting and what to do when you park a manual. Good thing I understand how to do all this stuff in theory!
After getting a PERFECT score on the test this morning the guy who proctored the test said we should just go to the local paperwork place (like a DMV) and try our chances without an appointment. The paperwork place was set up on the upper floor of the Cattle Mart! So after waiting for about 40 minutes we turned in our paperwork and our permits will be sent to us sometime next week! We also found out that so long as you qualify for a B license (car and truck) you are also qualified for a W license which means I am qualified to drive a tractor! BONUS! After such a successful morning we decided to have dinner at the mart and watch the cows get sold while we ate lunch and then make our way to work.
So now all I have to do is work on learning how to drive the manual and we'll be all set! Below you'll find a bunch of pictures I've taken while we've lived here which may explain why they're so strict about driving. Enjoy!
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| Typical country road. This is 2 lanes... seriously. |
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| Googlemaps of one of the roads leading around the Ring of Beara |
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| This is one of those, "We don't just drive on the left, we drive on what's left!" Nasty car eating pot holes! |
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| Not a driveway, this is a road |
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| Had to take a picture of this one. Yes, you are making a complete U turn to get onto the next street! |
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| Another 2 lane road with a hairpin turn. Yeah, the thing straight ahead, that's not the road, the curvy thing to the right is the road! |
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| Sometimes grass grows in the middle of the road. It happens! |
