Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
737. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice if a NDLS receipt for a driver licence renewal will be accepted by An Garda Síochána in lieu of the licence given the extensive backlog as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10150/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters and the deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. Further, road traffic legislation and related matters, including drivers licences, are in the first instance matters for my colleague the Minister for Transport and his Department.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD has announced details of a further extension to the expiry dates of driving licences. The move comes as the EU and national Governments take steps in response to the disruption caused by Covid-19 to driver licensing services across the EU.
The change will apply as follows:
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2020, will have a new expiry date of 1 July 2021.
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2020 will have thirteen months (which includes the previous extension) added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expired on 31 August 2020 will have a new expiry date of 30 September 2021.
- Any licence holder, who has not already renewed and whose licence expiry date is between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 will have an extra ten months added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expires on 30 June 2021 will have a new expiry date of 30 April 2022 .
