In Ireland, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicle on roads to which the public have access. Since 29 October 2013, they are issued by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Based on the European driving licence standards, all the categories of licence available and the physical licence meet the 2006 EU standards. Template for new credit card sized Driving Licences. There's nothing like showing your battered and torn paper driving licence to a policeman in a.
Introduction
You are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times whendriving. When your driving licence runs out, you must renew it if you want tocontinue driving. If your licence is lost, stolen or damaged, you can find outabout replacing alost, stolen or damaged driving licence.
To apply for a driving licence, you must be normally resident in Ireland.You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if, because of personaland occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in eachcalendar year.
The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for driver licensing and theNational Driver Licence Service (NDLS) manages licence applications andrenewals. You can renew your driver licence online if you have a PublicServices Card and a MyGovID verified account -see details and exclusions in ‘How to apply’ below. Alternatively you willhave to visit an NDLS centre to renew your licence.
In 2013 a plastic-card driving licence was introduced, replacing the paperdriving licence. This is an EU initiative to introduce a secure, compact styleof licence in all member states.
Rules
You can apply to renew your driving licence if:
- You hold a driving licence that will expire within 3 months
- You held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago
If your driving licence expired 10 years ago or more, you must complete a Driver TheoryTest and then apply for a learner driver permit.
Duration of licence
Your age determines how long your licence will be issued for, so you may beable to renew your licence for 10 years, 3 years or something in between,depending on how old you are.
- If you are under 60, you can apply for a 10-year licence or a 3-year licence (on medical grounds).
- If you are 60 to 67 years old, you can apply for a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday
- If you are between 67 and 70 years old, you can apply for a 3-year licence. If your current licence is due to expire within 3 months of your 70th birthday, your new licence will be issued for either 1 year or 3 years. The shorter duration will apply if your GP chooses this option on your medical report.
- If you are 70 or over, you need a certification of fitness to drive from your doctor to apply for a 3-year or a one-year licence
A bus or truck driving licence is issued for a maximum of 5 years.
Rates
The cost of a driving licence is:
- Ten-year driving licence — €55
- Five-year bus or truck driving licence — €55
- Three-year driving licence — €35
- One-year driving licence (medical grounds) — No fee
If you are aged 70 or over, you can renew your driving licence for free.
Any required eyesight tests or medical examinations are notfree of charge.
How to apply
Online applications
You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account.This option is not available if:
- Your current driving licence is valid for more than 3 months
- You have a truck or bus category on your licence
- You are aged 70 or over
- You need to get a medical report to renew your driving licence because of a medical condition
Applying in person
If you cannot renew your licence online, you will have to apply to an NDLS centre in person. Youdo not have to provide photographs with your application, as your photo andsignature will be digitally recorded.
You need to complete the drivinglicence application form (pdf). There are guidancenotes (pdf) to help you with this form. You can also get the form and notesfrom NDLS centres, driving test centres, driving theory test centres and Gardastations.
You must bring your completed application form and the followingdocumentation with you when renewing your driving licence:
- Your current or most recently issued driving licence
- The appropriate fee - see ‘Rates’ above
- Documentation to prove your identity (see below)
- A Driving Licence Medical Report Form, if required (see below)
- A Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form, if required (see below)
Proof of identity
You can use your Public Services Card (PSC) as proof of identity. Theaddress on your driving licence application must match the address on your PSC,if you want to use your PSC as proof of address.
If you don’t have a PSC, you need one document from each of the twosections below:
- Evidence of your PPS Number
- Public Services Card or Social Services Card
- Correspondence from Revenue or the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, showing your PPS Number
- Statement of Liability (formerly known as P21), Tax Assessment or notice of tax credits
- Receipt of social welfare payment
- Medical card, Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) card or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Payslip - Proof of address (See Note below)
- Utility bill from your provider of electricity, phone, gas, cable television or broadband.
- Correspondence with an insurance company regarding an active policy.
- Statement from your bank, building society or credit union.
- Letter from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection or Revenue.
- Other official correspondence from an Irish State agency, such as: a government department, HSE, CAO, SUSI, An Garda Síochána, public hospital, Residential Tenancies Board, third-level college, training agency, An Post, or the National Cervical and breast screening programmes. Also NCT reports or reminders, TV Licence, Register of Electors or polling cards.
Note: Proof of address documents must be less than 6 monthsold when you apply. Mobile phone bills and statements from store cards orcatalogue companies are not accepted.
Medical report form
You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories C, C1, D, D1, CE, C1E, DE or D1E (buses and trucks),unless you previously provided a medical report which is still applicable.
You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE or W (motorcycles, cars andwork vehicles) if:
- You will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being issued or
- You have a specific disability or condition (see application form)
You can downloadthe medical report form (pdf) (it must be printed back to back on onepage). It is also available from NDLS centres. A registered medicalpractitioner should carry out your medical examination and then complete theform. You must sign the declaration on the medical report form in the presenceof the registered medical practitioner. It must be submitted within 1 month ofthe medical examination.
Eyesight report form
Generally any eyesight issues will be reported in the Driving LicenceMedical Report Form. However, you will require a Driving Licence EyesightReport Form if you no longer need glasses or contact lenses to drive (forexample, if you've had laser eye surgery). You can downloadthe eyesight report form (pdf) (pages 1 and 2 should be printed back toback on one page). It is also available from NDLS centres. It must be submittedwithin 1 month of completion.
Where to apply
You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you are eligible and have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account,see ‘Online applications’ above. Alternatively you can apply in person toone of the National DriverLicence Service (NDLS) centres- see ‘Applying in person’ above. You canbook an appointmentonline.
The National Driver Licence Service provides informationon renewing a driving licence on its website.