Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if the extension granted to the expiry dates of some Irish driver licences will be extended to the 12-month grace period on licences from the United Arab Emirates given the current restrictions in accessing driver licences and test dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16523/21]
View answerThere is a distinction between motorists with a foreign driving licence visiting Ireland and those living in Ireland. For non-residents, under the Convention on Road Traffic 1949 (Geneva Convention) drivers from Contracting States carrying a valid driver’s licence can drive on each other’s roads for up to a year when visiting.
If a person is resident in Ireland, they must have an Irish/EU driving licence.
Ireland has entered into driving licence exchange agreements with some countries. In such cases, a foreign driving licence that has expired by no more than 12 months will be accepted for exchange. The licence is only recognised for exchange purposes and is not valid for driving in Ireland. Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
Ireland cannot extend the validity of a driving licence issued by another jurisdiction, nor can we unilaterally amend the provisions of an international Convention.
