Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if flexibility can be shown over the requirement to have a public services card to renew driver licences given the lengthy waiting times for a public services card appointment; and if not, the alternative avenues available for those who are currently unable to renew their driver licence without their public services card. [55577/21]
View answerA Public Services Card (PSC) is only one of the forms of identification that are accepted by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) when a person attends an NDLS office to renew their driver's licence.
The NDLS also accept a driver's licence (Irish or UK), a Passport, a national identity card (for EU/EAA/Swiss citizens), an Irish Certificate of Naturalisation or an Irish Travel Document as proof of identity.
Alternatively, once a person has verified their identity through the in-person SAFE registration process carried out by my Department and they have been issued with a PSC, they can use their PSC to set up a verified MyGovID account.
MyGovID is a secure online identity authentication service provided by my Department , which can be used for accessing online services provided by various public bodies, including online renewal of a driver's licence. A person cannot set up a verified MyGovID account if they have not first verified their identity.
I understand online driver's licence renewal is only available to those who have a verified MyGovID account, but that is a matter for the NDLS. Any person who cannot, or does not wish to, set up a verified MyGovID account should contact the NDLS and arrange an appointment at an NDLS office to renew their licence.
Any person who requires a PSC should contact their local INTREO Centre where an appointment will be arranged for them.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
