Exchanging Irish licence for Uk licence

[emsl63amg]

I'm now a permanent resident of the UK and need to exchange my Irish licence for a UK one. I've downloaded the relevant documents and know what I have to do. However, from what I can make out, I need to send off my passport, as proof of ID, and the process could take up to six weeks. Therein the problem lies, I'm without my passport for six weeks and travel back to Ireland regularly. Will it take six weeks or is there anywhere that I can go do it it in person rather than by post? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[marshalla]

UK passport issued recently ?

https://www.gov.uk/id-for-driving-licence should apply, shouldn't it ?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

You don't need a passport to travel between UK and the Irish Republic, even though we're 2 different countries. There's an agreement between the 2 nations. And airlines just want photo ID at check in.

[Nigel Worc's]

I wasn't aware you need to change an Irish EU licence for a UK EU licence, unless you just want to for some reason.

[emsl63amg]

It's an Irish passport I have and a paper one at that, not due to expire for another year or two. As for not needing a passport for travelling between the two countries, I realise that but, unfortunately, my passport and driving licence are my two forms of photo ID!

[jfbrin]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

You don't need a passport to travel between UK and the Irish Republic, even though we're 2 different countries. There's an agreement between the 2 nations. And airlines just want photo ID at check in.

Careful....Ryanair now insist on passport so check your airline's T&Cs. Ferry should be fine.