Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider allowing persons over 70 years of age to automatically extend the validity of their driver licence for a further year using the online portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The extension of the validity of driving licences can only be done through the introduction of legislation. The online driving licence system can only be used to renew a licence, not to extend the validity of the licence.

At present, the online system is only available to people under 70 years of age and those that do not have a truck or bus category on their licence, as the system does not allow for the uploading of supporting documentation that is required for other applicants.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types, in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework or the effective operations of the stakeholders involved. The Authority is currently examining an initiative to allow those over 70 years of age (who do not have an identified or specified illness) to apply remotely.