Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation changed regarding driver licence changes which means that a driver licence will expire on the anniversary of its start date regardless of whether there was a period of validity remaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Driving licences in Ireland were previously issued for a fixed period plus the unexpired period on their previously licence.  This was changed as of 31 May 2015, by the European Union (Licensing of Drivers) (Validity of Licences) Regulations 2015.

The reason for the change was the requirement of certain fixed periods of validity to apply to categories of driving licences under EU law.  Irish practice up to that time, by issuing licences for fixed periods plus the unexpired period on the old licence, was not consistent with EU law, and therefore had to be changed.