A current driving licence, issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, for any EU recognised driving licence category is valid in Ireland. On taking up normal residence in Ireland, a person, on expiry of such a licence, may exchange it for an equivalent Irish driving licence without taking a driving test.
Where the person has category D1, minibus, "not for hire or reward" entitlement on a UK driving licence, the person may not drive vehicles in category D1 in this country or may not exchange the licence for an Irish licence with category D1 entitlement. This is because the D1 "not for hire or reward" category of licence is a national category which is only valid in the UK and until recently was issued in the UK without the holder having passed a driving test in category D1. Consequently, it is not recognised in Ireland for driving or for licence exchange purposes.
Under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, and the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999 to 2001, it is a matter for the appropriate local licensing authority to determine the eligibility of a person for a driving licence and to issue licences.
