Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if a renewed driver's licence will issue to a person (details supplied) who requires a driver's licence in date for a business venture; if same can issue as quickly as possible as the request is time sensitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58914/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU Regulation 2021/267, an extension was granted to the validity of driving licences with expiry dates up to 31 October 2021.
When the extension was applied, the expiry date on the driver file for each person affected was updated to the new expiry date. Driving licences that were extended are still valid and a new licence will not be issued with the extended expiry date.
By law, a driving licence cannot be renewed more than 3 months before the expiry of the licence.
A letter of entitlement (driver statement), which is a copy of a person's driver record and which shows the extended date of expiry of the licence, can be requested from the Road Safety Authority if a person is planning to travel abroad. Further information can be found on the National Driver Licence Service website here www.ndls.ie/about/order-my-driver-statement.html.
All EU member states will recognise an extension granted by the EU. The UK authorities have indicated they will also recognise extended licences.
