Converting driving licence

It is possible to exchange a driving licence issued by an EU or EEA Member State for a full Irish driving licence. Ireland has agreements with all EU/EEA States and recognises full driving licences issued by competent authorities. A full list of these states is outlined below.

Holders of driving licences from other countries

Ireland also has agreements with certain other countries/States which means that if you are coming to Ireland to take up residence you can exchange your driving licence for a full Irish driving licence and you will not need to do a driving test. A full list of these countries and States is also outlined below.

If you are not from any of the following countries/States but you do hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit from your own country, you can drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit. (A temporary visit is regarded as a period not exceeding 12 months). If you will be resident in Ireland for more than 12 months (and again, are not from any of the following countries/States) , you will need to go through the full driving licencing procedures (see 'How to apply). Since 1 January 2003, you are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when motoring in Ireland.

Licences from EU/EEA States are recognised, licences from these countries/States are also recognised:

• Australia
• Gibraltar
• Isle of Man
• Japan
• Jersey
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland

If you are not from any of the above countries, (for example, if you are from Canada, the United States or New Zealand), and you hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit from your own country, you may drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months).

An 'international driving permit' means a valid and property completed international driving permit issued to a visitor under the Convention of 1949 by a competent authority of the State in which you normally reside.

If your stay in Ireland will be more than 12 months and you are not from one of the listed recognised countries/States, you can apply for a driving licence in Ireland. You must first you must complete a driver theory test, apply for a learner driving permit and complete your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you will be issued with a full driving licence for use in Ireland.

Categories of vehicles/Minimum age of driver

Motor vehicles in Ireland are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes. This is a standard practice throughout the European Union. Ireland has 14 categories in total, ranging from motorcycles to agricultural vehicles. Read more about categories of vehicles and minimum ages of drivers here.

Driving offences committed in other jurisdictions

Penalty points and endorsements on driving licences acquired in other states (including EU/EEA member states) are not recognised between states. This is because these penalties have been issued by courts in other jurisdictions. In practice, this means that if you acquired penalty points or an endorsement on a driving licence before coming to Ireland, these penalty points or endorsements do not transfer over, to an Irish driving licence. If however you have been banned from driving in another jurisdiction (i.e., for drink driving) it may not be possible for you to exchange your existing licence for a full Irish driving licence.

If you are driving on foreign driving licence in Ireland and acquire penalty points here, you will receive the normal statutory fine but the penalty points will not be added to your foreign driving licence. If you subsequently exchange your foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence, your Irish penalty points will then be activated on your new Irish driving licence.

How to apply

Complete an application form for a full driving licence (called form A.D401), which is available from your local Motor Taxation Office, post office or Garda station and is used for the application or renewal of a driving licence.

You will also need to undergo a medical examination by a registered practitioner who will complete a medical report form (called form D501) on your behalf.

You will also be required to complete an Exchange of Drivers Licence form, available from your local Motor Taxation Office.

An application for a driving licence is made to your local Motor Taxation Office and should be accompanied by the following:

• Two identical passport-type photographs, with the reverse of both signed by you
• Your current or most recently issued driving licence (if you hold or held one in the previous 10 years) or your current or most recently issued learner permit (or provisional licence) (if you hold or held one in the previous five years).
• A medical report. You will need a completed medical report form D.501 if you are applying for a driving licence for categories C, C1, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED. You do not need this if you have previously provided a medical report that is still applicable.
• A medical report is compulsory for any category if you will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being issued, suffer from any of the disabilities or diseases listed on the D.401 form, suffer from epilepsy or alcoholism or regularly take drugs or medication that are likely to impair your ability to drive safely. A registered practitioner should carry out your medical examination and then complete the form.
• You must sign the Declaration on the medical report form in the presence of the registered medical practitioner.
• A Certificate of Competency (if you have recently passed a driving test).
• The appropriate fee.