The General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 has been approved by Government for drafting and has been sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
Among its main provisions, the Bill:
• Improves the existing legislative basis underpinning the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database. which pre-dates GDPR, and the data held on it, as well as providing for the transfer of data to such bodies as may be required in the performance of their functions;
• Removes the requirement to display a paper Motor Tax disc, as part of the wider project to abolish the need to display paper discs;
• Removes the current 12-month maximum and allows for open-ended declarations of non-use of a motor vehicle;
• Amends the Road Traffic Act 2004 to allow for a speed limit of 60km/h on local roads within built-up areas;
• Amends the Roads Act 1993 to provide a basis for the sharing and processing of road traffic collision data with local authorities to enable them to assess safety risks and target maintenance on public roads.
While generally strengthening the legislative basis for all bodies requiring access to data held on the NVDF, the Bill does not contain specific provisions relating to access by An Garda Síochána. Currently, and underpinned by existing legislation, a file transfers from my Department to An Garda Síochána on a nightly basis containing vehicle and driving licence data. This means that the data available to An Garda Síochána for enforcement purposes is effectively real time and up to date to within 24 hours.
