Driver Licences

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Questions (277)

Aidan Farrelly

Question:

277. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of valid driving licences issued as of 2 July 2025 that rely on the condition that a certification of fitness was provided with renewal applications; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden that the required to provide certification every three years for persons over 75 years-of-age and his plans to mitigate this; and the number of licences issues to persons in the 65 to 71 years bracket in the past three years to date, the 72 to 74 years and over 75 years, in tabular form. [37615/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service and the statistical information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

As a road safety measure, certain categories of driver must meet medical standards of fitness to drive, as assessed by the driver's doctor through medical reports. Those to which this requirement applies include bus and truck drivers, people with certain conditions and those over 75.

Driving licences are free to those aged 70 or over. My Department has no control over doctor's fees, the cost of medical reports or what may be covered by the medical or GP card schemes. Having a medical report required for a driving licence covered by those schemes would be a matter for the Minister for Health.