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Exchanging your Foreign Driving Permit in Ireland
If you are a resident of Ireland and hold a driving permit issued by a country outside of the EU/EEA, you may need to exchange it for an Irish driving licence to drive legally on Irish roads.
To exchange your foreign driving permit for an Irish driving licence, you must:
- Be resident in Ireland
You must be living in Ireland and intend to remain here for at least 185 days in each calendar year. This means that if you are a student or a temporary visitor, you may not be able to exchange your foreign driving permit.
- Hold a valid foreign driving permit
Your foreign driving permit must be current and valid at the time of exchange. If it has expired, you may need to take a driving test in Ireland to obtain an Irish driving licence.
- Be from a designated country
Not all countries are eligible for the exchange of driving permits. You can find a list of eligible countries on the NDLS website.
- Apply for an Irish driving licence
To apply for an Irish driving licence, you must complete a Driving Licence Application Form and provide the following documents:
- Your current foreign driving permit
- Evidence of your identity, such as a passport or national identity card
- Evidence of your residency in Ireland, such as a utility bill or bank statement
- A passport-sized photograph
- A fee of €55
If your foreign driving permit is in a language other than English, you must also provide a certified translation.
You can apply for an Irish driving licence at any National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your Irish driving licence by post.
It is important to note that if you hold a driving permit issued by an EU/EEA country, you do not need to exchange it for an Irish driving licence. You can use your EU/EEA driving permit in Ireland as long as it is valid.
For more information on exchanging your foreign driving permit for an Irish driving licence, visit the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website or contact the NDLS.
