Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
786. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if issues (details supplied) regarding driver licences for former USA residents now seeking to obtain full Irish licences will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7526/20]
View answerThe starting point for driver licensing policy is public safety - we issue driving licences when we are satisfied that the applicants have met a defined standard, by passing tests. Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which among other things sets the standards to be met in driving tests in all Member States. On this basis, EU driving licences are mutually exchangeable.
When it comes to licence exchange with non-EU countries, we may reach bilateral agreements. In order to qualify for this programme, we must first ensure that the driving licence and testing regime is of at least the same high quality as that in operation in this country. The United States is not one of the countries with which such an arrangement is currently in place. This reflects the wide variation in standards under licences are obtained in the US - which one of the reasons for the variation in road safety across the states, many of which have road safety records significantly worse than any EU Member State.
Where a person takes up residence in Ireland with a driving licence which is not from the EU and not from a jurisdiction with which we have a bilateral agreement, this leaves us with the position where the only alternative is to ask them to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence.
This link provides information on how to obtain an Irish driving licence as the holder of a licence from another Country; https://www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/Flyers/166425%20RSA%20Foreign%20Licence%20(EDT)_WEB.PDF
At present, the only differences allowed where someone is the holder of a full but non-exchangeable licence is that they are not required to wait the normal 6 months before applying for the test and they undergo a reduced number of 6 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons.
The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.
