Driving

There is no requirement for anyone coming from a European Union country to transfer their licence to an Irish one, all European Union driving licences are International Licences. If you arrive with an ‘individual European Union country’ driving licence (issued before the ‘single EU licence’) you can drive in Ireland without any restriction because when the licence comes up for renewal you will be issued with a European Union driving licence which is an International Licence. Please see HERE for additional information.

Note!

Although there is no requirement to do so, some people do opt to exchange their licence for an Irish one. This is because insurance quotes tend to be higher for those driving on a foreign licence. 

If you hold a national driving licence or international driving permit from a country outside of the EU that is not one of the Recognised States,  you can only drive in Ireland for the duration of a temporary visit (a visit not exceeding 12 months). If you intend to stay in Ireland for more than 12 months, you will have to apply for an Irish driving licence. You can apply for the Irish Learner Drivers Licence  at any stage within the first 12 months of return,  this will include passing a theory test, sitting lessons and passing a driving test.

For more information on all that is involved in that process , please see HERE

Important Notes!

-Once you obtain an Irish Learner Permit, this will take precedence over your full foreign driving licence. and all rules and regulations pertaining to the holder of a learner permit will apply -  e.g.displaying learner “L”plates, being accompanied by a qualified driver, as well as other requirements; listed HERE. 

Under-going the learner driver process is also likely to have implications on the cost of your car insurance

– People in this category may qualify for reduced Essential Driving Training lessons (6, instead of 12), please see HERE for more information. 

Note!

 If you would like to follow and support the current campaign for US-Irish Driving Licence exhange, please see HERE

If you intend to apply for a first driver’s licence, as part of that process you will be required to;

-complete a theory test in order to get a provisional licence

- complete essential driver training lessons and 

- pass an oral and practical test for your full driver’s licence. 

Notes! 

A provisional licence issued in any country other than Ireland will NOT be valid to drive on in Ireland.

Insurance quotes are higher for learner drivers and for those driving on a non-Irish licence.

Information on the Irish driving test process can be found HERE

Please see HERE for an overview on bringing your car to Ireland.

Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). VRT is the tax which must be paid (unless exempt under Transfer of Residence condtions) when a vehicle is first registered in Ireland. The amount of VRT is calculated based on a percentage of the recommended retail price of the vehicle, known as the Open Market Selling Price.

The Revenue Commissioners have a frequently asked questions sections in relation to importing a vehicle, see HERE

The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has been appointed by the Revenue Commissioners to carry out a range of vehicle registration functions on their behalf. To register a vehicle, you must first book an appointment at an NCTS centre to have the vehicle examined and pay the VRT due (and other tax liabilities as appropriate). You can make an appointment through one of the following methods:

On-line: www.nct.ie

Telephone Lo call number: 1890 927 787

There are some exemptions from paying VRT for foreign vehicles being imported into Ireland.

For example, non-residents (those who reside in Ireland for less than 185 days per year) have an exemption from paying VRT for up to 12 months.

Foreign students are entitled to bring a foreign registered vehicle into the country for the duration of their course and people with diplomatic status do not have to pay.

Exemptions also apply for people with disabilities and when a vehicle is inherited. For further details about exemptions, see www.revenue.ie or contact the relevant Revenue office on return to Ireland.

www.revenue.ie/en/contact/

People who have owned their vehicle abroad for at least six months and are moving to Ireland permanently may also be exempt from paying VRT. This is referred to as “transfer of residence”. The vehicle still has to be registered. In such a case, it may not be sold in Ireland for at least 12 months after it has been registered.

For details of this exemption and the Transfer of Residence Application form (VRT TOR) contact the local Revenue office or the nearest NCT Centre.

After completing the registration processes, the owner is issued with the registration number for the vehicle and given a form (RF100) which is needed when applying for motor tax.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/tax-relief-transfer-residence.html

A reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme including exemption to the 6 month waiting period rule is available for some foreign licence holders who cannot exchange their driving licence in Ireland.

 It involves taking 6 driving lessons instead of the usual 12 and you don't have to wait 6 months to sit a driving test.

For more information on how to qualify and apply for for reduced EDT lessons, please see HERE

Please see an overview Motor Tax and Car Insurance HERE 

Citizens Information Board have produced a useful guide specifically in relation to car insurance for people returning or moving to Ireland, please see HERE 

• Be warned! 

Car insurance quotes can be very high for those driving on a foreign licence, without a driving history in Ireland. Shop around!