Renewing a full driving licence
Information
You are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving. Since 19 January 2013 the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for driver licensing. The principal local authorities, through their Motor Taxation Offices, process and issue driving licences. You should make your application to the Motor Taxation Office nearest to where you live.
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.
Driving licence changes from 19 January 2013: a new plastic card driver licence has been introduced, replacing the paper driving licence and learner permit. Anyone who applies for a licence or learner permit after 12 January 2013 receives the new version. This is an EU initiative to introduce a secure, compact style of licence in all member states. Also, from that date the number of driving licence categories increased and the minimum age requirement for certain categories changed. Further information is available on the Road Safety Authority's website.
This document explains the current situation regarding renewing a driving licence in Ireland.
Rules
You are entitled to apply to renew your driving licence if:
- You hold a driving licence that will expire within 3 months
- You held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago
If your driving licence expired 10 years ago or more, you must complete a Driver Theory Test and then apply for a learner driver permit.
The period of time a driving licence is issued for depends on the age of the applicant. There are 4 age brackets that the period of a licence falls under.
- If you are under 60 years of age, you may apply for a 3-year (on medical grounds) or a 10-year licence. Since 19 January 2013 the maximum period is 5 years for a bus and/or truck driving licence.
- If you are older than 60 but younger than 67 years of age, you may apply for a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday. The maximum period is 5 years for a bus and/or truck driving licence.
- If you are older than 67 but under 70 years of age, you may apply for a 3-year licence.
- If you are over the age of 70, you will need a certification of fitness to drive by your doctor to apply for a 3-year or a one-year licence.
If I change my name or address do I need to apply for a new driving licence?
While you are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving, you are not required by law to change your permit if you change your name or address. However, it is advisable. You are required to show evidence of your licence if requested to by An Garda Siochana, so your licence should contain up-to-date information.
You must send a completed application Form D401, 2 passport type photographs (signed on back) and any required supporting documents, such as, an original marriage certificate. Contact your Motor Tax Office for more information
How do I replace a lost/stolen driving licence?
If your current driving licence is lost, stolen, damaged or defaced, you should apply to your local Motor Taxation Office for a replacement. The replacement licence is a duplicate or exact copy of your original driving licence. You can find out how to replace your current driving licence in our document on replacing a lost or stolen Irish driving licence.
If your lost or stolen driving licence has already expired and is no longer valid, you can only apply for a new driving licence. See How to apply below.
Rates
Since 1 January 2013, the cost of driving licences is as follows:
- One-year driving licence costs €25
- Three-year driving licence costs €35
- Ten-year driving licence costs €55*
*Five-year bus and/or truck driving licence since 19 January 2013.
Motorists over the age of 70 can get their driving licence renewed for free.
Exchanging a driving licence to show a new name or address is free, but to add a new category is €35.
How to apply
You can obtain a copy of application form D401 from your local Motor Taxation Office. You can also download Form D401 (pdf).
Your completed application form should be returned to your local Motor Taxation Office and must include the following:
- Two identical passport-type photographs, with the reverse of both signed by you.
- Your current or most recently issued driving licence. If your most recent driving licence has been lost or stolen, you must complete a lost licence declaration (Form D8.A) which is available from your local Garda Station. You must submit the form, signed and stamped by the Gardaí, with your application.
- A medical report may be required. A medical report is compulsory if:
- you are applying for Categories C, C1, D, D1, CE, C1E, DE or D1E unless you previously provided a medical report which is still applicable
- you will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being issued
- you have any of certain disabilities or diseases
- you suffer from epilepsy or alcoholism
- you regularly take drugs or medication that would be likely to impair your ability to drive safely
Download a medical report form (D.501) (pdf) (must be printed back to back on one page). This form is also available from your Motor Taxation Office. A registered medical practitioner should carry out your medical examination and then complete the form. You must sign the declaration on the medical report form in the presence of the registered medical practitioner. - An eyesight report may be required if you no longer need glasses or contact lenses. You can download eyesight report form (D502) (pdf). It is also available from your Motor Taxation Office.
- The appropriate fee. If you are applying for your licence by post, pay the fee by cheque, bank draft or postal order, made payable to your local authority. If you are applying for your driving licence in person, you may pay the fee in cash.
Where To apply
An application for a driving licence should be made directly to your local Motor Taxation office.
The Road Safety Authority provides information on driving licences.
Road Safety Authority
Moy Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Mayo
Ireland
Tel:(096) 25000
Locall:1890 506 080
Fax:(096) 25252
Homepage: http://www.rsa.ie
Email: info@rsa.ie
Language
Useful Resources
Related Documents
- Full driving licence
Full driving licences are issued in Ireland if you pass a driving test. Rules about driving licences, forms and how to apply. - Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged driving licence or learner
permit
If your most recent Irish driving licence has been lost or stolen but is still valid, you can obtain a replacement licence. - Learner driving permits for buses and trucks
Before you learn to drive a bus or truck on a public road in Ireland, you must obtain a learner driving permit for the type of vehicle you wish to drive.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.