Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2022
17. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the options that are available to a person (details supplied) to convert their licences for use in Ireland; the way in which such licences can be recognised here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26737/22]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the requirements with which all member states must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level. Therefore, all EU issued licences are mutually recognised in member states.
Member states may make bilateral agreements with non-EU countries on licence exchange. Following Brexit, an agreement was made between Ireland and the UK, and as a result a UK licence can be exchanged for an Irish licence. However, a UK licence cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence where it was originally issued in exchange for a driving licence from a third country with which Ireland does not have an exchange agreement. Ireland does not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Singapore or with any US state.
People with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process (theory test, Essential Driver Training (EDT) and driving test), but they can avail of the shorter EDT of six lessons instead of twelve and do not have to wait six months before taking a driving test. Further details can be found on the National Driver Licence Service website at www.ndls.ie.
