Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6065/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Driver licensing is handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to and may not intervene in individual applications.

I have referred this question to the Authority for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver licence exchange (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6109/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible. Where an agreement is made, it may cover all or only some licence categories, depending on the outcome of the process.

Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with Ontario. However, this is restricted to automatic transmission category B (car) licences only. The agreement does not provide for the exchange of HGV licences.

When someone has exchanged their Ontario automatic B licence for an Irish automatic B licence and wishes to drive an HGV, they must go through the normal process of obtaining a category C licence in Ireland, as outlined here: . In this situation, their category C learner permit and subsequent licence will also be restricted to automatic transmission vehicles.

There are two options to remove the automatic transmission restriction. The driver can sit and pass a category B manual test, which will enable them to get a manual learner permit for category C, or, having passed the category C test for automatics, they can take a test for a manual B which will remove the automatic restriction from their category C licence.

To drive heavy duty vehicles professionally in Ireland, a driver also needs a certificate of professional competence (CPC).

The overriding goal of these requirements is the objective of keeping Irish roads as safe as possible for all road users.