Vol. 524 No. 2
338 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if arrangements are in place to provide for the issue of a full driving licence to those coming to reside here having held full driving licences in either other member states of the European Union or the United States of America. [22260/00]
A person who holds a driving licence issued by a member state of the European Union or of the European economic area is permitted to drive in Ireland for so long as that licence remains valid. Where such a person has taken up normal residence in Ireland, he or she may alternatively exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence without taking a driving test.
Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with the United States of America for the exchange of driving licences. On taking up Irish residence a person who holds a driving licence issued in the USA must obtain a provisional licence and undergo a driving test in order to obtain a driving licence.
