Irish-U.S. Driver’s Licence Exchange Campaign

Working to simplify driver’s licence exchange 

between Ireland and US states

Our Goal

Simpler movement between Ireland and the U.S.


Every year, thousands of returning Irish citizens and people from the U.S. coming to live and work in Ireland face an unnecessarily burdensome and expensive process to get an Irish Driver’s License, including mandatory lessons and a driving test. As they only hold a provisional licence during this process, this impacts their ability to travel to work and live their lives for several months or even longer.


The Campaign’s goal is to reduce barriers and support mobility for the returning diaspora by allowing Irish and American drivers to transfer their licenses smoothly, without the need to retake tests. Our new report, released in April 2026, suggests ways that this can be done, using examples from other EU countries. 


Visit the dedicated campaign website here.


As co-chair of the Irish-US Driver's Licence Exchange Campaign committee we were pleased to present to the Dáil committee in the AV room the findings of our recent report on April 28th, 2026.

“Easing the burden on our returning citizens”


The Irish-US Driver’s Licence Campaign has published a new report, “Easing the burden on our returning citizens” to highlight the unnecessary barriers faced by returning Irish citizens and US citizens moving to Ireland who are unable to exchange their existing driving licences. It outlines how current rules impose avoidable costs, delays and stress on individuals and families, and sets out practical, lawful steps the Government and Road Safety Authority could take to create a fairer, more workable licence exchange system. You can read the full report here.


Report Conclusions:


  • Under Irish law, Ireland could exchange foreign licences unilaterally, without a reciprocal agreement.
  • Under Irish law, Ireland could, via amendment to Statutory Instrument No. 527 of 2007, add a country or state for exchange of a foreign license unilaterally, without a reciprocal agreement.
  • Based on review of what is being done in other EU countries, a unilateral license exchange process is practical and permissible by precedent under EU law.
  • This unilateral license exchange process is in alignment with and is permissible by EU driving license Directive 2205 of 2025.
  • Ireland could reinstate expired Irish driving licences for holders of current licences from other countries.


Recommendations for Action

By the Minister and the RSA:


  • Prioritise Licence Exchange Agreements with US states that already have reciprocal exchange agreements with other EU countries.
  • Via amendment to Statutory Instrument, allow for unilateral as well as reciprocal foreign licence recognition, as is the case in other EU countries.
  • Via amendment to Statutory Instrument, allow for reinstatement of Irish driving licences that have been expired for more than 10 years if the person holds a current licence from another country.