Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if Brazilian driving licences could be directly recognised or exchanged, similar to arrangements already existing with European nations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74000/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level. Therefore, all EU issued licences are recognised in Member States.
Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. This is a technical, road safety-based process and reaching an exchange agreement is not a matter of political will. The technical assessment is an independent process that requires the agreement of the other jurisdiction and agreements are made only when both licencing authorities have compared the licencing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
A driving licence may be exchanged where Ireland has such a reciprocal licence exchange agreement with the other jurisdiction, but a person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal learning to drive process to obtain an Irish licence. However, in recognition of their driving experience, they may avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons, instead of 12, and they do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test. As Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement with Brazil, Brazilian licence holders who are resident in Ireland must go through this process if they wish to drive here.
One of the commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. To progress this commitment, the Department, with the Department of Foreign Affairs, has identified US states with large Irish-born populations and three US states, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, have been selected for initial consideration, due to the size of their Irish-born populations.
On my direction, the RSA is currently engaged with the New York state licensing authority. The technical assessment process for a possible licence exchange agreement is ongoing. Given the Programme for Government priority, there are currently no plans to consider a licence exchange agreement with Brazil.
