Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to continue recognition of driver licences from the UK and Northern Ireland to the end of 2020 and post Brexit. [22724/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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UK driving licences are valid in Ireland until the end of the transition period (31 December 2020). After 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 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.

However, 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.