Drivers Licence Requirements Ireland
Converting your driving licence to an Irish 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 personal and occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year.
From the 9 April if you bring your Public Services Card (PSC) to the NDLS it will simplify your application process. An applicant will have two options to validate their identity and residency during the application process. Presenting a PSC at the NDLS centre will simplify your application process as the PSC will satisfy the following requirements: • Photographic ID, • Evidence of PPSN, • Evidence of address (where your address is as provided to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection DEASP) and • Evidence of residency entitlement (where your place of birth or nationality are within the European Union / European Economic Area/Switerland). Please for more information. If you do not have a PSC you are required to present documentation at NDLS centre to satisfy the following requirements: • Photographic ID, • Evidence of PPSN, • Evidence of address and • Evidence of residency entitlement. List of acceptable documents are available.
Note that possession of a public services card will enable applicants to renew their driving licence / learner permit online as part of a new online service that will be rolled out to customers in the coming months. Are you working on a fixed term contract or studying abroad? Conditions for Applying to Renew or Replace your Driving Licence from Abroad • Living and working in an EU country or you should/must apply to the licensing authority there to exchange your driving licence. That licence is valid for exchange on your return to Ireland. • Travelling or holidaying abroad does not comply for this option - on your return you must present in person at an NDLS office. • Licence lost while travelling or holidaying abroad does not comply for this option - on your return you must present in person at an NDLS office. • Learner permits are valid in country of issue only and cannot be renewed while working or studying abroad.
• An Irish licence has a validity for renewal up to 10 years of expiry and may be renewed up to 3 months in advance of expiry. Ncp secure client activation key. • Working on a fixed term contract or studying abroad, you must supply evidence of this- Working abroad- letter from employer detailing terms of your fixed term contract- start date and expected duration of contract on headed paper, signed and contact details of employer Studying abroad- correspondence from College/ University confirming the title and duration of the course This must be an original letter - photocopy or scan copies will not be accepted. Where a person is living abroad and working on a fixed term contract or attending a college or university generally they can be thought of as resident in Ireland providing they have personal ties here. If a driver considers themselves normally resident in the Republic of Ireland but is currently working or studying abroad and unable to attend an NDLS centre in person, they can contact for details on how they can renew or replace their licence. They will be required to provide documentary evidence i.e. Working, an original letter from their employer, on headed paper with signature and contact number of employer, stating the start date and expected duration of their fixed term contract abroad or studying, original correspondence from the college/university confirming the title and duration of the course.