Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
169. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if arrangements will be in place for Irish residents to exchange their UK Northern Ireland driver licenses after the Brexit transition period comes to an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39609/20]
View answerDriving licences issued by the Member States of the European Union are mutually recognised. After the transition period (transition period ends 31 December 2020), the UK will no longer be a Member State and so a UK driving licence will not be recognised here. Holders of UK licences resident in Ireland are therefore encouraged to exchange their UK licences for an Irish one before this date.
Legislation exists to allow for the recognition of foreign driving licences for exchange purposes in the Road Traffic Acts. Following the transition period, the potential then exists for arrangements to be made under those Acts and Ireland will be pursuing this option. This may take a little time to complete as it involves a formal agreement and legislation here in Ireland, as well as corresponding steps by the UK.
Until such an arrangement is in place, anyone resident in Ireland who holds a UK (including Northern Ireland) will not be able to exchange their licence for an Irish licence without passing the driver theory test, being issued with a learner permit, undergoing a series of driving lessons and passing the driving test. For this reason, the Road Safety Authority has, since 2019, been urging Irish residents who hold UK licences to exchange them for Irish driving licences.
