Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
185. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by drivers in possession of Canadian driver licences in exchanging them for Irish driver licences; the Canadian provinces with which Ireland has a reciprocal arrangement; the action being taken to extend reciprocal arrangements with the remaining Canadian provinces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has entered into driving licence exchange agreements with 6 of the Canadian provinces to date. These provinces are Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
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).
Canadian licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Thus, specific regulations relating to driver's licences vary province to province, thoughoverall they are quite similar.
The RSA will continue to work on agreements with the remaining Canadian provinces.
