Motorists-reminded-to-exchange-UKNI-licences-for-Irish-licences

Motorists reminded to exchange UK/NI licences for Irish licences

The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) is issuing a final reminder to Irish residents who have a United Kingdom or Northern Ireland driving licence that they need to exchange it now, as their UK/NI licence will not be valid to drive here after December 31st 2020.

While the UK has left the EU, a transition period was agreed that allowed for the exchange of driving licences to continue. That transition period reaches its conclusion at the end of this year.

If you are resident in Ireland and using a UK licence to drive, it will no longer be valid to drive in Ireland after this date.

It is vital that you have a valid driving licence and that you are legally allowed to drive in Ireland by exchanging a UK licence for an Irish driving licence.

As it can take longer to process a UK/NI licence exchange, and there may be further delays caused by a last-minute increase in applications, plus extra demand on the service caused by COVID-19, you should make an application as soon as possible.

To exchange your licence, you must complete a licence application form and present this, the correct fee and your UK licence at any NDLS centre. You must make an appointment online at www.ndls.ie to attend any of the 36 NDLS centres.

More information including frequently asked questions on how to exchange your UK licence can be found atwww.ndls.ie and on gov.ie/brexit, the Irish Government’s website to help businesses and citizens around the country to prepare for Brexit.

Almost 50,000 people heeded this message in 2019 and exchanged their UK/NI driving licence for an Irish one.

Visitors to Ireland holding a UK/NI licence will continue to be entitled to drive in Ireland as a visitor with their existing driving licence. Visitors won’t be required to carry an International Driving Permit in order to drive here so long as they carry their UK/NI driving licence with them.