Firstly, I would point out that Regulations, signed by my predecessor this Summer, mean that people who are abroad for a fixed period for work or study do not need to appear in person to renew their driving licences. When people emigrate on a permanent or long-term basis, it should be the norm that they would acquire a driving licence in their new country of residence. Where Ireland has an agreement on mutual exchange of driving licences – as we do with Australia, one of the countries mentioned by the Deputy – then the individual can exchange their Irish driving licence for a licence in that country. The Deputy also mentioned Canada. We now have an agreement on mutual exchange of driving licences with Ontario, and are working to put in place similar agreements with the other Canadian provinces.
Where there is no reciprocal agreement on mutual exchange of driving licences, a person may still drive, under international agreements, in another jurisdiction on a visitor basis on their Irish licence for up to a year. Ultimately, if a person is taking up residence in another country they should get a driving licence in that country, and the procedures required will be a matter for the relevant authorities in that country. As a person no longer resident in Ireland, they would not be entitled to renew their Irish licence.
