Driver Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (224)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

224. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties workers from outside the State in are experiencing in obtaining an appointment with the National Driver Licence Service in order to exchange their foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence; if he has plans to further resource the National Driver Licence Service in order to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11565/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

National Driver Licence Service front offices are open to the public, but an appointment must be made to attend. It is no longer possible to attend an office without an appointment. 

Appointments can be made online or by telephone. Currently, 29,000 appointment slots are free out of the usual 77,000 slots available for booking across a six week period. The Road Safety Authority is aware that there can be difficulties getting through on the telephone at present, but are working with the service provider to ensure delays are kept to a minimum.