Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

324. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications received to exchange driving licences from other states received in each month since January 2020, including the countries of original driving licence, the average processing time per each month per each state and the number of successful and unsuccessful applications per category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/25]

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

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of returning emigrants who wish to avail of a driving licence exchange, the reason, during the period of application process, it is not possible for the applicant to legally drive as their original licence is in the possession of the NDLS; whether he proposes measures that would provide such applicants who have been in possession of a valid and recognised driving licence, to continue to legally drive while the application is being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15795/25]

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

Once a holder of a non-EU/EEA driving licence becomes resident in Ireland, they can no longer use that licence and must obtain an Irish licence to drive here, either by exchange or by obtaining a licence through the normal process.

The time taken to process driving licence exchange applications can vary. The licence for exchange must be verified by the jurisdiction that issued it and completion of the process is dependent on the response time from the corresponding licensing authority.

The issuing of a temporary licence would still require verification of the original licence before it could be issued. Therefore, the time frame for issuing a new licence would not be shortened.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with the NDLS with a view to ensuring an updating of their website and portals to provide clearer and up-to-date information regarding timeframe and notifications available at each stage of an application for driving licence or licence exchange as opposed to the simple "application submitted" status currently provided to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15796/25]

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

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Licence service (NDLS), including online services and platforms. Therefore, I have referred this question to the Authority for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.