Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason holders of old format drivers licences cannot apply to have them replaced with the new format licences; if this facility will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1355/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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While the form of driver licence will change from paper to plastic with effect from 19 January 2013, licence-holders will not be allowed to exchange the old for the new, at least for the foreseeable future. The transition in 2013 is not only from a paper to a plastic licence, but also from a system where licences are issued by the local authorities to a system in which the Road Safety Authority will be the sole driver licensing authority in the State.  This change is quite a complex operation, and will involve a transition period during part of 2013 when the local authorities will temporarily continue to perform some licensing functions on behalf of the RSA.  If people were allowed or encouraged to exchange their old licences for new ones, there could be a large volume of applications which might overwhelm the system.  It is more practical to allow licences to be renewed when they fall due, and so give the new system a chance to settle in.  The matter will be reconsidered when the new system is up and running and any transitional issues resolved.