Evening all,

This issue keeps coming up and the more I read about it, the less I understand it... so apologies for going over the same ground.

Here's our scenario if it helps to explain in our particular circumstances...

My other half will be starting a job near Cavan in January. She currently has a works car with her UK job, but will obviously have to get rid of this soon. She will have 3 months notice to work , and we intend to buy her a UK car for use in Ireland. By the time she moves over we will have the new car for 3 months.

I understand the bit about the 6 month ownership rule, and we won't fulfill those criteria for another 3 months after she arrives. She will be on a 6 month probation with her new job, so will she be able to get away with using the car on UK plates in that period, under the assumption that her work is not permanent until she completes her probation spell? She will be renting for that period over in Ireland, but we will still have our house in Uk, where I will probably be until March... so the car will be registered to our bona fide UK address. Her UK insurance should cover her for the the interim 3 month spell until we have officially had the car for the required 6 months.

Will she need to leave and then re-enter the Republic in order to bypass the VRT levy, using a second boat ticket as proof of entry date, or does this sound an iffy scenario? We would intend to do everything above board after that 6 month ownership, Irish plates and insurance etc. I'm sure the irish govt has had every chancer trying every angle when it comes to this....

This is about as clear as a pint of the black stuff but I hope you're still with me! All responses very much appreciated!

Oh, and to kill 2 birds with one stone, which areas are best avoided round Cavan, with a view to living?

Cheers people

Hi
Register the car on your name and put her on your insurance and there should be no problem,when you get here change it arounf after a year?check it out!!

Will she be working in Cavan town? I work on the Dublin Road - outside of Cavan and the commute for me is 20 min - coming from Virginia.

Nice thing about Virginia..cheap rentals and nice large homes. Town has got about everything you could want in a rural area. Hour and a half from Dublin airport is handy for traveling.

I will check around at work today about areas to avoid. I have heard about a few towns that the locals have mentioned are on the rough side.

Thanks for your replies and information, folks.

We stayed in Virginia one night when we were over there last weekend and we did like the feel of the place. Like Cavan as well though, as it has a bit of character to the place and some of the "backwards" feel to it that we are looking for... we are not city slickers!

She will be working at Mr Crumb in Finea on the Cavan-Westmeath border.

As for the car, is that the only way of avoiding the problem of VRT? Ideally would be in her name as insurance in my name will be dearer, as I have a shorter period of no claims... obviously that price difference will be considerably less than the VRT charge, so it's something to consider. Could she get away with driving on UK insurance in her name for three months in Ireland? I've heard about checks on paperwork at the ports... what sort of stuff do they look for?

we got round it as having not sold house in uk in company accomadation and i went in with 2 kids under 3 the wek before xmas. my husband had tried everything. THe kids caused a scene she stanped it saved 6K

so do they check every car on UK plates that comes through the port, or is it a random thing? I used to go across on my motorbike quite often and nobody ever checked any documents.... is it just luck of the draw? What about if you have return ferry tickets?

Have had the idea of asking her employer to put her on a temp 3 month contract to begin with until March, which would mean that if we bought a car in next couple of weeks, it would be 6 months in our possession before her permanent contract kicks in April...

I've read that if you are in Ireland on a short contract then registering car is not necessary and the VRT is waived. Then she could come back to UK even for a weekend, go back to Ireland with new boat ticket as date of entry and paperwork from company saying she is due to start in April, and she will have cars docs to show she has been owner of car for more than 6 months....

How does that sound? All this to be able to drive.... sheesh!

Cavan town is nice and I have not heard any negatives about living in or close to town. A few of my workmates live in the town. Has a nice large library and the main bus station is there.

Ballyjamesduff seems to get a thumbs down from everyone I speak with. Have no idea why though!

No lack of the 'backwards' feel in Co Cavan. Many Dubs (husband included) move here to get away from the city life Great fishing over this way.

Thanks for that Ire... Cavan did have a good feel to it, and easily in reach of her work. We drove through Ballyjamesduff, and on the surface it looked pretty pleasant, but maybe there is some dark underworld lurking beneath the veneer, eh? ;o)

Looking forward to it, though this car thing is causing some headaches... trying to do some creative thinking about it....

Also, what I will be doing for work will require me thinking outside the box

Hi they dont check every car at port. You take all documents into VRT office and they issue the registration. As long as proof of six months ownership six months UK insurance address in this country pps number etc you'll be fine you wont need to change it over. You can drive on UK plates we did but check out what your insurance covers some become 3rd party after a period some offer like for like cover for 3 months?????

Good Luck

Jo

What's a pps number , Jo?

Personal Public Service Number

Thanks. I take it that's the equivalent of a National Insurance number?

I am as confused as ever with bringing my car over to ireland. Will have owned it for 6 months in December, arranged car insurance from Irish address for December, but of course when i come to tax it some weeks later am going to hit a snag. Been travelling to and from UK regularly but no UK address anymore. Can anyone tell me best way to deal with this...would I be better off selling the car in uk and just buying another in ireland??

PPS number I do understand...need proof of residence in ireland and you call into the Welfare department to complete request...if that is of any help to anyone.

Hi All,

We are moving over in March 09, We have had the car and my motorcycle for over the six Month period.


Am I right in saying that I can only drive on UK plates for three months?
My UK insurance is due to expire in February 09.
I was just going to let it lapse and re-insure in the ROI.
Will the insurance companies accept this or will it need to be on a ROI plate before they will insure?

Nelly