Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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296. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person must relinquish their UK driver licence in order to receive an Irish driver licence from the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32009/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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A person is required to surrender their UK/NI driving licence in exchange for an Irish licence. Where a licence cannot be surrendered because it is lost, stolen or damaged, an original Letter of Entitlement, issued within six months prior to the date of application, must be provided. The UK licence is returned to the original UK issuing Licensing Authority within 30 days of the exchange, with an indication of the date of exchange.

This provision is set out in the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between Ireland and the UK on the exchange of driving licences, signed on 29 December 2020.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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297. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person must carry out a driver test in Ireland in order to be in possession of both an Irish and UK driver licence following the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32010/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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A resident of Ireland with a UK driving licence can exchange their UK licence for an Irish licence if they wish to drive in Ireland. However, to do so they must surrender their UK licence.

If a person wishes to retain their UK licence, they must go through the normal process of obtaining an Irish licence. This involves passing the driver theory test, obtaining a learner permit, completing the essential driver training and passing a driving test. It should be noted, however, that under EU legislation, an EU driving licence, including an Irish driving licence, can only be held by a person who is resident in the issuing member state and not by a person who is resident in a third country such as the UK.