James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a driving licence exchange (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33425/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service, which includes licence application matters.

My Department does not have access to individual driving licence exchange applications and may not intervene in that process. Accordingly, I have referred this matter 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.

Verification is needed when processing a foreign licence for exchange, to ensure a fraudulent document has not been submitted and that a driving test was passed in the country that issued the licence. Road safety and keeping Irish roads safe for all road users remains the priority in this matter.

There are various reasons for time being taken in processing foreign licence exchanges, for example, the driver may need to submit outstanding information, such as, a medical or eyesight report, or the physical driving licence itself in the case of an online application. The most common reason for delays is the NDLS awaiting verification of the driving licence from the foreign driving licence authority. At times a response is received very quickly but sometimes there can be considerable delays.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a revised licensing process to support returning Irish citizens and new residents from countries such as the United States and Canada, including the option to permanently convert valid licences subject to conditions such as passing the learner theory test, enhanced instruction hours, and verification of driving history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33449/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level. and EU driving licences are recognised and exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.

Ireland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core principle is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.

People with a non-exchangeable licence who are resident in Ireland must, in order to drive here, obtain an Irish licence. A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process, but can avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of only 6 lessons, instead of 12, and does not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.

One of the commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, so holders of these licences may, if resident in Ireland, exchange them for an Irish licence. Ireland does not have an agreement with the USA. My Department will be exploring how this Programme for Government commitment might be addressed.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review current licensing policies for drivers from non-EU Member States with no reciprocal agreements, with a view to implementing a pathway that ensures road safety while supporting mobility and economic integration, particularly for returning emigrants and skilled new residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33450/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level. and EU driving licences are recognised and exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.

Ireland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core principle is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.

People with a non-exchangeable licence who are resident in Ireland must, in order to drive here, obtain an Irish licence. A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process, but can avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of only 6 lessons, instead of 12, and does not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.

One of the commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, so holders of these licences may, if resident in Ireland, exchange them for an Irish licence. Ireland does not have an agreement with the USA. My Department will be exploring how this Programme for Government commitment might be addressed.