Report to Irish Government, Minister for Transport, and Road Safety Authority urges action
Inability to exchange driving licences impacts thousands of returning Irish citizens every year.
They, along with US citizens coming here to work, face an unnecessarily burdensome process to get an Irish driving licence, including mandatory lessons and a driving test. This creates a significant financial burden and impacts their ability to travel to work and to live their lives.
The problem has been raised repeatedly in the Oireachtas, but there has been little progress to resolve the situation.
This report, commissioned by the Irish-US Driver’s Licence Campaign, proposes an immediate way forward for the thousands of drivers and families impacted.
Following extensive review of current Irish and EU legislation, and Irish Statutory Instruments related to driving licence exchange, the authors believe it is possible to use the experience and current practices of other EU countries to develop less burdensome approaches to facilitating driver license exchange for our returning citizens.
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.
Irish-US Driver’s Licence Campaign
Recommendations for action by the Minister and the RSA:
Prioritise License 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 license recognition, as is the case in other EU countries.
Via amendment to Statutory Instrument, allow for reinstatement of Irish driving licenses that have been expired for more than 10 years if the person holds a current license from another country.
Read and download the full report
The full report, “Irish-US Driver’s Licence Campaign: Easing the burden on our returning citizens” is available to read and download.
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