Driving Licence
If you’re planning on driving in Ireland, here’s what you need to know about driving laws and licence. To drive, you will need either a full valid national driving license or an international driving permit.
Driving laws
Driving in Ireland is on the left hand side of the road and all passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times in both the front and back of the vehicle. For those riding motorcycles, both motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. Ireland’s laws on drink driving are strict. Those drivers found to be contravening the laws will be heavily penalised. Use of mobile/cell phones while driving is strictly prohibited.
Licence and insurance
You will need either a valid, full national driving licence or an international driving permit to drive in Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, you must carry your driver’s licence at all times.
You must also have motor insurance either in your own name or as a named driver on another’s policy. If you are renting a car, the Car Rental Council of Ireland advises on the various insurances, waivers and options appropriate to your needs.
Holders of Foreign Licences
As a visitor to Ireland you can drive on a driving licence from any state outside the EU/EEA for up to a year provided the driving licence is current and valid. However, on taking up ‘normal residence’ in Ireland you must either exchange your driving licence or apply for a driving licence in Ireland. You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if, because of personal and occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year.
If you have a driving licence issued by an EU/EEA member state you can drive in Ireland as long as your existing licence is valid. If you wish to exchange your driving licence for an equivalent Irish driving licence, you must do so within 10 years of your driving licence expiring. Ireland has agreements with certain countries/states that designates them as recognised states for the purposes of driving licence exchange.
Recognised states are:
Australia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle Of Man, Japan, Jersey, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, New Zealand, Taiwan, Canada
If you exchanged an Irish driving licence in a recognised state for a driving licence issued by that state, you must submit that licence to the NDLS when applying for an Irish driving licence.
A Recognised State driving licence may be exchanged up to a maximum of 1 year after it expires with an accompanying letter of entitlement. After this period, applicants will need to apply for a learner permit.
Certified translations are required for all Letters of Entitlement which are not in English or Irish. Translations must be provided by a professional member of the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association (ITIA). The letter of entitlement must be submitted together with the certified translation.
Driving licence procedure:
On taking up residence you should apply for an Irish driving licence, but you will need to go through the full driver licensing procedure. You must first pass a driver theory test, apply for a learner permit, complete a course of Essential Driver Training(EDT) and pass your driving test in Ireland.
If you pass your driving test, you can then apply for a full Irish driving licence.
Theory Test:
- You must pass the driver theory test before applying for your first learner permit and get 36 of 40 points. The test is computer-based. If you pass the test you get a theory test certificate. You must have theory test certificate before you apply for your first learner permit. The test cost: €45. For more details on website.
- You can have revision material from the official Driver Theory Test learning material on their website (mobile app, CDs, Books, Online portal) which costs from €13 to €40. Or you can try free unofficial mocking theory test and reliable with 792 questions. For more details on website.
A learner permit is a licence issued to learner drivers. It enables them to learn to drive and to apply for a driving test at the same time.
To apply for a first-time learner permit
- Fully completed application form for a learner permit D201
- Original driver theory test pass certificate (dated within two years)
- Photographic I.D. Current passport for all non-Irish citizens
- Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN)
- Evidence of address dated within the last six months is required if your current address is not recorded on your permit. (Utility bill, bank statement…etc)
- Evidence of residency entitlement, (Current certificate of registration (Garda National Immigration Bureau/GNIB card) or Irish residence permit (IRP) for non- EU/EEA citizens.
- Fully completed NDLS eyesight report form, dated within three months
- Fully completed NDLS medical report form, dated within three months, if required in your case.
- Application fee of €35.
- Provide all above documents to your nearest NDLS centre.
- Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
- Visit NDLS website for more details.
Full Driving Licence:
You must hold a Learner Permit for six months before applying for your test however a holder of a current full driving licence in the same category from another country for more than six months is exempt from this requirement.
Before you apply for a driving test you must complete Essential Driver Training (EDT) which is a mandatory training course that teaches fundamental driving skills to learner car drivers. The Essential Driver Training course is made up of 12 one-hour lessons, which you must complete before taking your Driving test. Be confident about getting the best driving education you can by using an RSA approved driving instructor (ADI). There are more than 1,500 ADIs across the country. To find an ADI in your area visit website.
On 21 January 2019 the RSA are introducing a reduced EDT programme for foreign licence holders whose full licence from another country with which Ireland does not have an exchange agreement may qualify for exemption from six EDT lessons 2,3,4,8,11 and 12.
The reduced EDT programme:
It is six one-hour sessions. It will teach you some of the most vital driving skills and help you to continue driving safely by improving your knowledge and understanding of road safety in Ireland.
Who can apply?
Holders of a current full foreign driving licence from another country with which Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement.
Conditions for applying:
- You must hold a full foreign driving licence.
- You must have held a licence for at least two years.
- Your licence must not have expired more than six months on the date of receipt of application form.
- You must be resident in Ireland.
- You must hold an Irish learner permit.
How do I apply?
- Complete the application form titled: Foreign Licence Holders Application for Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) and/or Exemption from Six Months Wait Time for Driving Test’.
- Enclose your original full foreign driving licence.
- Enclose a Letter of Entitlement. This is a document that you must get from the licensing body who issued your foreign licence.
- Post these to: Reduced EDT, National Driver Licence Service, PO Box 858, Southside Delivery Office, Cork.
- Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Only instructors approved by the RSA can deliver the reduced Essential Driver Training programme.
For more information on Reduced EDT program please click here and for an application form to apply for Reduced EDT program please click here.
The Driving Test
To obtain a driving licence you first need to pass your driving test. In this section, you will find out how to apply for it, where to take it, and how to prepare for it to ensure you’ve given yourself the best chance of success.
Applying online for your driving test via website.
Before applying for your driving test online:
- Verify that you are eligible to sit your test—6 month rule.
- Make sure you have taken the mandatory lessons for certain motorcyclists (IBT) or car drivers (EDT).
- Know your current, valid driver number. (This is the number quoted opposite 4(d) on your learner permit
- Know your PPS number—this can be found on tax documents or your pay slip and it is often on correspondence from a social welfare or tax office.
- You must have a valid debit or credit card (Visa and Mastercard are currently accepted).
How to pass your driving test:
- Study the Rules of the Road booklet
- Study the Preparing for your test booklet
- Use the services of an approved driving instructor (ADI)
- Practise driving on all types of road and in all types of traffic situations, including driving at night
- Build up your driving experience and confidence before applying for your test
- Study the “Learning to Drive” suite of manuals for car, bike, bus and truck, available at book shops nationwide.
- Review the top tips here for more details.
Apply for Full Driving Licence:
- Fully completed application form for a driving licence D401
- Certificate of competency (must be dated within the previous two years)
- Current or most recent learner permit
- If you do not have your most recent learner permit in your possession, you must complete the lost or stolen permit declaration on the application form, have it witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána and submit it with alternative photographic I.D.
- Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN)
- Evidence of address dated within the last six months is required if your current address is not recorded on your permit and it differs from that provided to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) if and when you applied for a PSC
- Evidence of residency entitlement
- Fully completed NDLS medical report form, dated within three months, if required in your case
- Application fee of €55.00
- Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
- Visit NDLS website for more details.
Resources:
National Driving Licence Service NDLS: https://www.ndls.ie/
Theory Test: https://theorytest.ie/
Road Safety Authority: https://www.rsa.ie
