Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
195. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will explain the exemptions for individuals with a driving licence from a different jurisdiction; the countries Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24094/23]
View answerIrish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are set at EU level. Accordingly, EU-issued licences are recognised in Member States.
Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdictions have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible.
A licence, including an EU licence, issued in exchange for a licence from a third country that Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence.
A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process to obtain an Irish licence. However, they can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
Ireland has driving licence exchange agreements with Australia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, New Zealand, Taiwan, seven Canadian provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and New Brunswick), Northern Ireland and the UK.
