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Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Ceisteanna (470, 471)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Canadian driver licences are recognised and exchanged here from four Canadian provinces and not from the remaining Canadian provinces and territories; and if this does not reflect the fact that Canadian licences are issued to a national standard despite the province. [10518/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Robert Troy

Ceist:

471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that driving licences issued from the Canadian province of New Brunswick can be exchanged for an Irish driving licence upon arrival here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish driving licences are fully recognised in New Brunswick and can be swapped immediately for a local licence; and his plans to ensure this anomaly is rectified. [10519/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together.

Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, Ireland may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange.  This is not a straightforward matter, there is a process to be followed and it does take some time. Canadian licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. As a result, specific regulations relating to driving licences varies from province to province, though overall they are quite similar.

Licence exchange agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

We are currently finalising an exchange agreements with Alberta and Saskatchewan. This will bring to 6 the number of agreements in place with Canada. Work will continue to bring in agreements with the remaining provinces.

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