Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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406. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to simplify the process for Irish and US citizens to exchange driver’s licences without the need for retesting. [46984/25]

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 a technical process. 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 compared the licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.

The Programme for Government 2025 has a commitment 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.

Ireland does not have an agreement with the USA. My Department, in the context of the Programme for Government commitment, has directed the RSA to examine licence exchange agreements with suitable US states.