Written answers

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driver Licences

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a situation regarding driving licences (details supplied) will be reviewed. [6278/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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This issue has been raised with me and with my predecessors many times, and my Department has been working with my colleague Minister Ciaran Cannon, who has responsibility for the Diaspora, to examine ways in which we can ease the burden placed on returning emigrants on the issue of driver licensing.

The reason for having a driver licensing system is to be sure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet certain minimum standards.  The EU sets these standards for all Member States.  On this basis, people who take up residence in Ireland and hold an EU driving licence may exchange their licence for the Irish equivalent.  In the case of non-EU states, we may reach bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of driving licences for exchange.  These agreements are dependent on the two licensing regimes having compatible standards.

It has not been possible to have a bilateral agreement with USA, because US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level.  This means that there are 50 different licensing regimes with widely varying standards.

In the absence of a verifiable standard of driving, we must ask people to take an Irish driving test.  I do not propose to make exceptions for people returning to Ireland who previously held an Irish driving licence which has now lapsed by more than 10 years - the period within which a licence may be renewed.  These people are in the same position as those resident in the State whose licences have expired by more than 10 years.

The main source of concern, in terms of time, money, and annoyance, for returning emigrants seeking to obtain an Irish driving licence is the requirement to undergo the 12-lesson Essential Driver Training (EDT) course.  I am currently considering proposals from the Road Safety Authority for a 'Short EDT' for people with full but non-exchangeable driving licences.  This will considerably ease the burden for returning emigrants.

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