Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
616. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce regulations or legislation requiring courts to disclose driving convictions to insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60088/26]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my Department’s National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database holds the records of driver numbers and disqualification data for all drivers in the State.
When an individual has been disqualified from driving, this is notified to my Department, by the Courts or An Garda Síochána as appropriate, which records the disqualification on the NVDF. As per the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended), an insurer or insurance intermediary can access disqualification and endorsement data from the NVDF at policy processing or renewal time.
Since 31 March 2025, an insurer or insurance intermediary must validate the driver number of against the NVDF before issuing a motor insurance policy. If the driver is disqualified, the validation will fail. Following a failed validation, the insurer or intermediary will advise the driver to contact the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) for a driver statement to confirm the licence status.
