Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 687: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason persons who have held a US driver's licence for years on return to Ireland have to sit a test; the reason this does not apply to persons returning from countries where they drive on the same side of the road as here; if there will be a change of legislation on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35976/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Irish driver licensing rules operate within the framework of an EU-wide licensing system. The criteria essential for recognition of licences from other countries are testing and licensing regimes which meet the requirement of the EU directive on driver licences. On this basis Ireland recognises licences from, and has mutual recognition and exchange of licence arrangements with, other EU Member States and a number of other jurisdictions where research and discussion has shown that standards in those jurisdictions match those here. The question of whether those countries drive on the left or the right side of the road is not an issue.

Driver licensing regimes in the United States of America vary between the different States, and not all of the States meet the EU requirement. As a result, the USA is not one of those countries with which Ireland has mutual recognition of licences.

In the absence of an exchange agreement, persons taking up residence in Ireland, who hold a US driving licence and who wish to obtain an Irish licence, must go through the normal procedures for obtaining a driving licence by passing the theory test, obtaining a learner permit and sitting the driving test. As of last April, it is a requirement that learner drivers take lessons before sitting the test. While this may seem demanding in cases where people have a safe driving record in another jurisdiction, the overriding policy concern behind these regulations is that the Irish system must be satisfied that people are properly qualified to drive on our roads. Where the driver licensing system in another jurisdiction is not compatible with EU standards, we cannot engage in a licence exchange relationship and must insist on testing drivers from such jurisdictions. However, the six months waiting rule before sitting a driving test does not apply to applicants who come to Ireland with a full in date licence from their own country.