I am staying in Ireland for about 1 year and tend to stay here for the next 5 years. I have an Indian driving licence and want to know what must I do to exchange it to an Irish driving licence?
Both Ireland and India are members of the UN Convention that allows those with foreign licenses to drive in their country. Over 100 other countries are party to the International Convention on Road Traffic that we are referring to. This Convention is intended to establish uniform reciprocal privileges on matters such as drivers' permits. The agreement also requires countries to allow foreign drivers admitted to their country to drive a private motor vehicle for one year on certain conditions.
According to the Citizens Information, an Irish eGovernment website, Ireland has agreements with certain other countries/States which means that if you are coming to Ireland to take up residence you can exchange your driving licence for a full Irish driving licence and you will not need to do a driving test. A full list of these countries and States is also outlined below.
Licences from EU/EEA States are recognized; licences from these countries/States are also recognized by the Irish government:
- Australia
- Gibraltar
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- South Africa
- South Korea
Since 1 January 2003, you are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when motoring in Ireland.
According to the Irish eGovernment site, if you are not from any of the following countries/States but you do hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit from your own country, you can drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit. A temporary visit is regarded as a period not exceeding 12 months.
If you will be resident in Ireland for more than 12 months (and again, are not from any of the above countries/States), you will need to go through the full driving licencing procedures. This mean you will need to complete a driver theory test, apply for a provisional driving license and complete your driving test in Ireland. If you pass your driving test, you will be issued with a full driving license for use in Ireland.
Find an application form for a full driving licence (called form A.D401), available from your local Motor Taxation Office, post office or Garda station in Ireland. For more information on how to convert or change over your Indian driver's licence to an Irish driver's license contact the Irish Citizens Information Board.
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