Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
330. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of years that a non-Irish EU citizen can remain in Ireland before they are required to exchange their drivers licence or permit for an Irish one; if the Minister intends to close this loophole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63989/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that article 2 (1) of the EU Driving Licence Directive, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply, requires Member States to recognise all EU driving licences.
Under EU law, drivers must renew their EU licence in the Member State where they are resident. Anyone with a valid EU driving licence from another member state, who is resident in Ireland, is required to exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence before that licence expires to continue to drive here.
An EU citizen who is resident in Ireland, as for any resident, must hold an EU licence to drive here.
