Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
411. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of motor insurance companies refusing to recognise foreign driving license exchange receipts issued by the NDLS as proof of a driver’s qualification for the purpose of insurance cover; whether insurance companies are required to accept these receipts as proof of qualification in law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39944/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there is nothing in Irish road traffic legislation that prevents the holder of a foreign driving licence from obtaining motor insurance in this country, someone who is resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU/EEA driving licence in order to drive here. A foreign licence may be exchanged for an Irish licence if it was issued by an EU/EEA Member State or a recognised state for driving licence exchange purposes.
A foreign driving licence exchange receipt is not a driving licence. It is an official document issued by the National Driver Licence Service when a driver submits their physical foreign licence for exchange. The receipt confirms that the exchange process has been initiated. There is no legal requirement for insurance companies to accept such receipts as proof of qualification to drive in Ireland.
As this issue does not appear to have been previously raised with the Department, officials have contacted Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurers in Ireland, for further information.
