Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position in the context of Brexit for those that have English driver licences with various categories and now need to exchange them for a Irish licence. [21926/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I take it that, when the Deputy refers to "English" driving licences, he is referring to licences issued by the authorities in the United Kingdom (UK).

After the end of the transition period, UK driving licences will no longer be valid for persons living in Ireland. UK licence holders resident in Ireland will need to exchange their UK licence for an Irish licence.

Details of how to exchange a UK driving licence for an Irish driving licence can be found on www.ndls.ie. Those seeking to exchange their licence should do so immediately and well in advance of the end of the current transition period on 31 December 2020 to allow sufficient time to receive a new licence. The requirement to exchange a licence only applies to people resident in Ireland and does not apply to or affect visitors or holiday makers in Ireland.

Legislation exists to allow for the recognition of foreign driving licences for exchange purposes in the Road Traffic Acts. Following the transition period the potential then exists for arrangements to be made under those Acts. Ireland will be pursuing this option. This may take a little time to complete as it involves a formal agreement and legislation here in Ireland, as well as corresponding steps by the UK.

There are a number of situations where a person exchanging a UK driving licence might not be able to have all of their categories carried forward to the Irish licence. Some UK categories known as ‘National Categories’ (similar to our W Tractor) only apply in the UK and they are not exchangeable.