Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016
249. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the requirements for ex-pats returning home to Ireland; the position with their entitlement to drive here; if there are different requirements depending on the period of absence or non-permanent residence in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27643/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position regarding returning emigrants and driver licensing depends on a number of factors.
Under EU law, driving licences are issued to those normally resident in a Member State. If a person takes up residence in another Member State they will exchange their licence for one issued by their new State of residence. An Irish licence holder who moved to another EU Member State and exchanged their licence for one from that State can exchange it again for an Irish one if they return to take up residence in Ireland.
In the case of people who return from non-EU States, there are two possibilities. If we have an agreement for reciprocal exchange of driving licences with the country which issued their licence, they can exchange it for an Irish licence. If they hold a licence from a country with which we do not have a reciprocal exchange arrangement, they will have to begin as learners in Ireland. However, in the latter case, if they previously held an Irish licence which lapsed within the past ten years they would be entitled to renew that Irish licence.
