What licences are valid in Ireland and for how long?
April 12th, 2021
What licences are valid in Ireland and for how long?
Short Answer: A full licence from any country is valid in Ireland if the driver are just visiting for a short period. For ease, get an International Driving Permit. This is basically a translation of your licence. No learner permits or provisional licences from other countries are valid here. If you are visiting Ireland read our post on driving in Ireland as a foreign country.
Longer answer: This becomes complicated is if the driver is planning on staying in Ireland. You may need to get an Irish licence at some point.
If your licence was issued by an EU member state you can use that for up to one year. So long as you keep it in date. The same can be said for licences from EEA countries. These include Australia, Canada (but not from all provinces – see note below), Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan. As well as, Jersey, South Africa, Republic of South Korea, Switzerland, New Zealand, Taiwan ). The following Canadian Provinces are included Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Exchange the original licence for an Irish licence with the NDLS.ie if you are staying longer.
If you are from anywhere else and are going to be staying in Ireland for longer then you will need to go through the process of doing the Irish theory test, getting an Irish learner permit, doing the reduced EDT and then the Irish driving test. Now you know what licences are valid in Ireland. You know if you are able to exchange your licence or if you need to go through the reduced process. Next decision may be to get a driving lesson just to get used to the Irish roads. Alternatively, you may need to book your reduced EDT with us.
Category: Darragh Dunne