Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the genuine issues raised in correspondence regarding driving licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12268/13]

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.

Driver licensing regimes in the United States of America vary between the different States, and not all of the States meet the required standards.  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 Irish residence are treated as beginners and must go through the procedure of obtaining a driving licence by passing the theory test, obtaining a learner permit, taking lessons and sitting the driving test.  While this can seem demanding in individual 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.  However, I would point out that the normal rule that learners cannot take the test until they have been learners for six months is waived for applicants who come to Ireland with a full licence from another country.