Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
185. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if there are international arrangements in place at EU and non-EU level to recognise the extension of the expiry date of a person's driver licence that is expired but extended under Covid-19 measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39573/21]
View answerIreland received authorisation from the EU to extend driving licences that expire between 1 July and 31 October 2021 for an additional 10 months.
This extension was applied on 2 July 2021. It was granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and is recognised by all EU Member States. A copy of the Regulation can be found on the European Union Law website:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0267&qid=1625569643896.
When the extension is applied, the expiry date on each driver file is updated to the new expiry date. Although a new physical licence will not be issued with the extended expiry date, a driver may request a letter of entitlement from the Road Safety Authority to take when driving abroad. A letter of entitlement is a copy of the driver's record and will show the extended date of expiry of the licence. Further information can be found on the National Driver Licence Service website: www.ndls. ie/about/order-my-driver-statement.html.
All EU member states will recognise an extension granted by the EU. However, recognition of these extensions is a matter for each non-EU country. The UK and Northern Ireland authorities have been informed of the Irish extensions in place.
