Driver Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Questions (68)

Carol Nolan

Question:

68. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider amending regulations or relevant legislation to enable Irish citizens in possession of full driving licence in a foreign country but whose licence has expired by more than 12 months, to be able to obtain an Irish driving licence or a provisional driving licence without the need to fulfil all the conditions including retaking lessons and a driving test in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52363/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Irish driver licensing law operates within EU law and is intended to ensure drivers on our roads meet high safety standards. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set out at EU level. A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish/EU driving licence to drive here.

For non-EU jurisdictions, Ireland may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. A person must be in possession of a valid licence in order to exchange it. The concession that the foreign licence has expired by no more than 12 months is considered ample time to allow for the licence exchange to be made. When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, we have no option but to require them to go through the full process of obtaining an Irish licence.