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Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Ceisteanna (503)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

503. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Irish citizen (details supplied) can exchange a New Zealand driver licence with permission to drive vehicles in classes 1 to 5 for an Irish driver licence with the same entitlements. [22310/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The fundamental purpose of having a driver licensing system is public safety. We issues licences to people on the basis that they have been tested to defined standards. These standards are set at EU level. On these grounds, all EU driving licences are interchangeable.

In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, Member States may reach bilateral agreements on the exchange of driving licences. These agreements are reached only when detailed study of the two licensing regimes has taken place and both sides are satisfied that the standards of the two systems are comparable. On this basis, Ireland has reached agreements with Australia and New Zealand. However, the agreement with Australia covers truck licences, among others, while that with New Zealand is restricted to cars and motorbikes. These distinctions are based on considerations of public safety based on the differing standards applied in the different jurisdictions.

It is not correct that it would be possible for the individual in this case to exchange his New Zealand truck licence for a French equivalent and then exchange that for the Irish equivalent. Bilateral arrangements of this type apply only to the Member States which make them. This matter has been tested and ruled on very clearly by the European Court of Justice. In the case suggested, a French truck licence given in exchange for a New Zealand truck licence could not be exchanged for an Irish truck licence, because the person originally qualified for a New Zealand truck licence, which Ireland does not accept for exchange.

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