David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Irish citizen returning from Ethiopia, and only holding a driving licence issued in Ethiopia, can drive in Ireland under that licence pending application for a full Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40513/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence, are all set at EU level.

A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU driving licence to drive in Ireland. People who are resident in Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, such as an Ethiopian licence, must go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence - pass the theory test, apply for a learner permit, complete essential driver training (EDT) and pass a driving test - before they can drive here.

People with a full but non-exchangeable licence go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and they do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.