Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
265. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the drivers disqualified in 2024 and to date in 2025, by county; the number that surrendered their licence, by county in 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14991/25]
View answerThe table below details the number of court, drink driving fixed charge and penalty point disqualifications notified to the Department in 2024 and to the 28 February 2025 and the details of those licences that were surrendered.
It should be noted that for disqualifications issued in 2025, the licence holder is given 14 days in which to surrender the licence/permit from commencement of the disqualification. The numbers reflected in these tables are disqualifications/surrenders notified as of 28/02/2025 and should be considered as highly provisional at this point in time.
A notification of disqualification is issued by the Courts Service for drivers convicted of a court disqualification, the notification includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.
A notification of disqualification on penalty points and a fixed penalty drink driving disqualification is issued by the Department of Transport and includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the RSA within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.
It is important to note that, while the non-surrender of licences is of concern, the more important issue from a road safety perspective is that the disqualification from driving is observed. The individuals in question are fully aware that the disqualification from driving is in effect regardless of whether their licence is surrendered.
An Garda Síochána have access to data on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) as part of their Mobility Strategy and therefore can detect and prosecute a driver who continues to drive while disqualified. This is the case whether or not a licence has been surrendered.
Disqualifications and Surrenders of Driver's Licenses
