Exchanging your foreign licence for an Irish licence Applying online is a simple, straightforward process, no need to book an appointment or attend an NDLS centre. Save time and do it the smart way Apply Online today. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to your online application. You also need to have: Proof of your address if your address is different to the one you provided when you got your Public Services Card Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen A medical report form if required Application fee of €55 (unless you are 70. What licensing rules apply when driving in other countries. Mutual Recognition of Driver Disqualifications - UK and Ireland. From 1 August 2017 drivers with an Irish licence who are disqualified from driving in the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) for certain road traffic offences will have their disqualifications recognised and applied. Converting your driving licence to an Irish driving licence; To apply for a driving licence, you must be normally resident 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. Driving on a foreign licence in Ireland If you have a driving licence issued by an EU or 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 when it expires, you must do so within 10 years of your driving licence expiring.
- Driving Licence Renewal Ireland
- Driver License Renewal
- Drivers License Expired Ireland
- Northern Ireland Driving Licence Renewal
- Driving Licence Renewal Ireland Contact Number
Introduction
You are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times whendriving. When your driving licence runs out, you must renew it if you want tocontinue driving. If your licence is lost, stolen or damaged, you can find outabout replacing alost, stolen or damaged driving licence.
To apply for a driving licence, you must be normally resident in Ireland.You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if, because of personaland occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in eachcalendar year.
The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for driver licensing and theNational Driver Licence Service (NDLS) manages licence applications andrenewals. You can renew your driver licence online if you have a PublicServices Card and a MyGovID verified account -see 'How to apply’ below. Alternatively you can visit an NDLS centre to renewyour licence.
COVID-19 and NDLS services
If you have a driving licence or learner permit that is due to expirebetween 1 March and 31 August 2020, your licence is automaticallyrenewed for a further 7 months. This applies to all categories oflicence.
You will not receive a new licence during this time, but your driver recordwill be updated to show that you licence or learner permit is still valid.
National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) offices have reopened but are notoperating a drop-in service. You should only book an appointment toattend an office in person if you are providing an essentialservice or if you work in an essentialretail service.
If you are over 70, or you are about to turn 70 you will be sent anapplication pack by NDLS to renew your driving licence by post. This apples ifyou renewed your last or current licence in person at an NDLS office in thepast 5 years. You do not have to submit a medical reportunless or you have a specifiedillness or condition, or you are applying for a bus or truck licence(category C or D).
You can read more in our document Driving and transportduring COVID-19.
Rules
You can apply to renew your driving licence if:
- You hold a driving licence that will expire within 3 months
- You held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago
Driving Licence Renewal Ireland
If your driving licence expired 10 years ago or more, you must complete a Driver TheoryTest and then apply for a learner driver permit.
Duration of licence
Your age determines how long your licence will be issued for, so you may beable to renew your licence for 10 years, 3 years or something in between,depending on how old you are.
- If you are under 60, you can apply for a 10-year licence or a 3-year licence (on medical grounds).
- If you are 60 to 67 years old, you can apply for a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday
- If you are between 67 and 70 years old, you can apply for a 3-year licence. If your current licence is due to expire within 3 months of your 70th birthday, your new licence will be issued for either 1 year or 3 years. The shorter duration will apply if your GP chooses this option on your medical report.
- If you are 70 or over, do not currently need to send a medical report to renew your licence.
A bus or truck driving licence is issued for a maximum of 5 years.
Rates
The cost of a driving licence is:
Driver License Renewal
- Ten-year driving licence — €55
- Five-year bus or truck driving licence — €55
- Three-year driving licence — €35
- One-year driving licence (medical grounds) — No fee
If you are aged 70 or over, you can renew your driving licence for free.
Any required eyesight tests or medical examinations are notfree of charge.
How to apply
Online applications
You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account.You also need to have:
- Proof of your address if your address is different to the one you provided when you got your Public Services Card
- Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen
- A medical report form if required
- Application fee of €55 (unless you are 70 or over)
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for professional drivers
Applying in person
If you cannot renew your licence online, you will have to apply to an NDLS centre in person. Youdo not have to provide photographs with your application, as your photo andsignature will be digitally recorded.
You need to complete the drivinglicence application form (pdf). There are guidancenotes (pdf) to help you with this form. You can also get the form and notesfrom NDLS centres, driving test centres, driving theory test centres and Gardastations.
You must bring your completed application form and the followingdocumentation with you when renewing your driving licence:
- Your current or most recent driving licence
- The appropriate fee - see ‘Rates’ above
- Documentation to prove your identity
- A Driving Licence Medical Report Form, if required (see below)
- A Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form, if required (see below)
Medical report form
Drivers License Expired Ireland
You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories C, C1, D, D1, CE, C1E, DE or D1E (buses and trucks),unless you previously provided a medical report which is still applicable.
You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE or W (motorcycles, cars andwork vehicles) if you have a specific disability or condition (see applicationform)You can downloadthe medical report form (pdf) (it must be printed back to back on onepage). A registered medical practitioner should carry out your medicalexamination and then complete the form. You must sign the declaration on themedical report form in the presence of the registered medical practitioner. Itmust be submitted within 1 month of the medical examination
Applicants aged 70 do not need to send a medicalreport with their application if they are applying before the end of June2021.
Eyesight report form
Northern Ireland Driving Licence Renewal
Generally any eyesight issues will be reported in the Driving LicenceMedical Report Form. However, you will require a Driving Licence EyesightReport Form if you no longer need glasses or contact lenses to drive (forexample, if you've had laser eye surgery). You can downloadthe eyesight report form (pdf) (pages 1 and 2 should be printed back toback on one page). It is also available from NDLS centres. It must be submittedwithin 1 month of completion.
Where to apply
You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account,see ‘Online applications’ above. Alternatively you can apply in person toone of the National DriverLicence Service (NDLS) centres- see ‘Applying in person’ above. You canbook an appointmentonline.
Driving Licence Renewal Ireland Contact Number
The National Driver Licence Service provides informationon renewing a driving licence on its website.