Skip to main content
Normal View

Driver Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Questions (943)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

943. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority has considered replacing ten-year driving licences with those that run up to the applicant's 70th birthday, as is the case for driving licences issued by national authorities in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1226/14]

View answer

Written answers

Ireland operates within the framework of EU driver licensing law as set out in Directive 2006/126/EC, as amended. The Directive states that driving licences for a number of categories of vehicle, including cars (Category B) should normally be for 10 years, although Member States may make this fifteen years.  Member States may reduce the period of validity of licences for people over a certain age.  The choice of cut-off age is a matter of national policy. It has always been seventy years of age in Ireland since testing for drivers began.  The EU allows Member States to make this age as young as fifty. Previously member states could issue licences for longer periods, so, for example, in the United Kingdom licences were issued which were valid until the individual reached seventy years of age. However that is no longer the case.  

In Ireland, a 10-year licence is therefore the norm for car drivers up to the age of sixty.  From age sixty to sixty-six, a driver may receive a licence valid until they turn seventy, while from age sixty-seven to sixty- nine Ireland issues licences valid for 3 years. I am satisfied that the periods of validity availed of in Ireland, which are in line with EU law and the preferred period of 10 years recommended there, are appropriate, and I have no plans to change them.

Top
Share