Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
184. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the countries with which reciprocal driving licence arrangements are being examined at present; and the reasons for selection of these countries. [43903/24]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the driver licensing authority in Ireland and it recommends, following a detailed examination of the licensing system in a third country, whether or not to enter into a licence exchange agreement with that country.
In considering licence exchange agreements, Ireland is currently giving priority to identifying countries that may be a source of professional drivers, given the well documented shortages across the EU in that sector. However, the principle of ensuring the safety of Irish road users is still paramount in reaching such agreements.
Ireland has recently entered into a licence exchange agreement with Georgia for all categories of driving licence, including truck and bus licences. The RSA has also recently recommended new licence exchange agreements with North Macedonia and Moldova and is currently in discussions with those countries, with a view to putting agreements in place.
