DUB-UK ID requirements - drivers license only?
Aug 25, 2017, 1:57 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 18
Aug 25, 2017, 2:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
Yes, this is indeed rather worrying. I was going to fly into LBA, but instead chose MAN for the better flight times.
I'm still going to go ahead and at least attempt the flight. I'll have my old passport with me, along with all my documentation (as a result of going to the US Embassy). Hopefully it'll work out at MAN.
I am more worried about coming back (LBA/NCL-(LHR-)DUB). Turning up in another country without a passport makes me a little nervous, but I'll be flying into DUB a few days before and so will confirm with an officer there just to make sure. I'll also have all my BPs, so I'll be able to show I was already in Ireland. Worst case, they deny boarding and then I hop on a flight to Belfast and take the train down instead.
Thanks everyone!
I'm still going to go ahead and at least attempt the flight. I'll have my old passport with me, along with all my documentation (as a result of going to the US Embassy). Hopefully it'll work out at MAN.
I am more worried about coming back (LBA/NCL-(LHR-)DUB). Turning up in another country without a passport makes me a little nervous, but I'll be flying into DUB a few days before and so will confirm with an officer there just to make sure. I'll also have all my BPs, so I'll be able to show I was already in Ireland. Worst case, they deny boarding and then I hop on a flight to Belfast and take the train down instead.
Thanks everyone!
If you did happen to get someone who wants to make an issue of it just tell them you checked the rules with the airline and authorities before traveling. The problems from the isolated incidents seem to be on arrival back in the UK.
Jul 3, 2023, 3:07 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Bump.
I've got a couple of LHR-DUBs coming up, including on EI, possibly while my passport is in for a visa application. Has anyone got recent IRL experience of using a UK driving licence on this route post-pandemic? Any issues at DUB immigration?
Niche, off topic follow up question... is it better to check in early or late for a decent seat if you haven't prepaid?! I'm not particularly bothered, just curious...
I've got a couple of LHR-DUBs coming up, including on EI, possibly while my passport is in for a visa application. Has anyone got recent IRL experience of using a UK driving licence on this route post-pandemic? Any issues at DUB immigration?
Niche, off topic follow up question... is it better to check in early or late for a decent seat if you haven't prepaid?! I'm not particularly bothered, just curious...
Jul 3, 2023, 3:38 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
Flying EI nothing has changed for UK/IRL citizens.
https://www.aerlingus.com/prepare/pa...-from-britain/
https://www.aerlingus.com/prepare/pa...-from-britain/
Jul 4, 2023, 5:01 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Flying EI nothing has changed for UK/IRL citizens.
https://www.aerlingus.com/prepare/pa...-from-britain/
https://www.aerlingus.com/prepare/pa...-from-britain/
Jul 5, 2023, 2:07 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
Jul 9, 2023, 12:32 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
On an LHR-DUB Aer Lingus will accept various identification including student cards, bus passes, work ID etc.
INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) will be less willing to do so. A driving licence with a place of birth in the UK or Ireland will generally satisfy them, as will a reasonably genuine looking photo ID accompanied by a UK/Irish birth certificate. (This is still the case despite the fact that since 1/1/1983 being born in the UK does not by default give you citizenship.)
If you can't produce something along these lines, you may be delayed at the border. If you have been before they will probably eventually find you on the system and let you through, but expect to be told off and advised to "bring proper ID next time".
On DUB-LHR there is no passport control upon arrival so there are no issues.
INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) will be less willing to do so. A driving licence with a place of birth in the UK or Ireland will generally satisfy them, as will a reasonably genuine looking photo ID accompanied by a UK/Irish birth certificate. (This is still the case despite the fact that since 1/1/1983 being born in the UK does not by default give you citizenship.)
If you can't produce something along these lines, you may be delayed at the border. If you have been before they will probably eventually find you on the system and let you through, but expect to be told off and advised to "bring proper ID next time".
On DUB-LHR there is no passport control upon arrival so there are no issues.
Jul 10, 2023, 4:20 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
On an LHR-DUB Aer Lingus will accept various identification including student cards, bus passes, work ID etc.
INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) will be less willing to do so. A driving licence with a place of birth in the UK or Ireland will generally satisfy them
INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) will be less willing to do so. A driving licence with a place of birth in the UK or Ireland will generally satisfy them
(As an aside, I've just checked, and my driving licence shows UK as place of birth... which it isn't, but I have no idea how to change it)
Jul 10, 2023, 6:01 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
You might want to bring it with you just on the off chance something goes wrong, but by all means, try with your licence.
Jul 10, 2023, 6:41 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Yes, see upthread, I've always used a passport in the past for DUB. But it may be unavailable for an upcoming trip due to being in for a visa application, hence asking the question
Jul 10, 2023, 7:19 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: EI Concierge, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 81
Yes, fly this route regularly with a driving license, last flight a few weeks ago. Absolutely no problem whatsoever, never even a raised eyebrow.
Just hang onto the boarding pass on arrival into Dublin as immigration will ask to see it along with the driving license to prove you came from within the CTA.
When you check in the prices of the seats remain the same, so if you don't want to pay you'll have to take a random allocation if all the free seats are gone. Given most LHR-DUB flights I've been on the last 2 months have been wedged I'd suggest picking in advance if you want a decent seat
Just hang onto the boarding pass on arrival into Dublin as immigration will ask to see it along with the driving license to prove you came from within the CTA.
When you check in the prices of the seats remain the same, so if you don't want to pay you'll have to take a random allocation if all the free seats are gone. Given most LHR-DUB flights I've been on the last 2 months have been wedged I'd suggest picking in advance if you want a decent seat
Jul 10, 2023, 10:34 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
Might be an idea to take a colour photocopy of your passport and take a photo of the back page on your phone too . Carry it with you .
Jul 10, 2023, 1:05 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 98
Yes, fly this route regularly with a driving license, last flight a few weeks ago. Absolutely no problem whatsoever, never even a raised eyebrow.
Just hang onto the boarding pass on arrival into Dublin as immigration will ask to see it along with the driving license to prove you came from within the CTA.
When you check in the prices of the seats remain the same, so if you don't want to pay you'll have to take a random allocation if all the free seats are gone. Given most LHR-DUB flights I've been on the last 2 months have been wedged I'd suggest picking in advance if you want a decent seat
Just hang onto the boarding pass on arrival into Dublin as immigration will ask to see it along with the driving license to prove you came from within the CTA.
When you check in the prices of the seats remain the same, so if you don't want to pay you'll have to take a random allocation if all the free seats are gone. Given most LHR-DUB flights I've been on the last 2 months have been wedged I'd suggest picking in advance if you want a decent seat