Applying for a driving licence

When you pass a driving test, you can apply for a driving licence for the category of vehicle which you were tested for. This page explains how to apply for your driving licence after you have passed a driving test. In other pages you will find information on:

• Learning to drive
• Renewing your driving licence
• Updating your personal details on your driving licence or learner permit
• Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged driving licence or learner permit
• Foreign driving licences in Ireland

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. Asylum seekers can use their temporary residence certificates as proof of normal residence in Ireland when applying for a driving licence or learner permit.

You must carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving. You can download and read the rules of the road (pdf) from the Road Safety Authority website.

The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for driver licensing. The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) manages licence applications and renewals. You can apply to renew your licence online or in person at an NDLS office.

Novice plates

You must display N-plates on your vehicle when you are driving for 2 years from the date your first licence was issued. Motorcycle riders must wear an N-tabard. The novice period only applies once. So if you get a licence to drive a different category of vehicle, you don't have to display N-plates again. More information is available on the Road Safety Authority website.

Disqualification threshold

If you accumulate 12 penalty points in a 3-year period, you will be disqualified from driving for 6 months. This is reduced to 7 penalty points if you have a learner permit. This lower threshold remains in place while you drive on a learner permit and for the first two years you drive under your first driving licence. More information is available on the Road Safety Authority website.

Drink driving limit

For drivers who have learner permits, or have had a full driving licence for less than 2 years, the drink driving limit is reduced to 20mg per 100ml of blood, 27mg per 100ml of urine and 9mg per 100ml of breath.

You can apply for a driving licence if you have passed the driving test for that category of vehicle within the previous 2 years. If the Certificate of Competency you were issued for passing the test is over 2 years old, you will have to pass the driving test again.

Duration of licence

Your age and medical fitness will decide the duration of licence which can be issued.

*A one or 3 year licence may be issued where, for medical reasons, a longer licence term cannot be granted.

The age in question is your age on the date of application.

Categories of vehicles

Motor vehicles are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes. You can read more in our document on categories of vehicles and minimum ages of drivers.

Your type of driving licence may allow you to have the right to drive certain other types of vehicles. See ‘Further information’ below.

Driving licence rates

Motorists over the age of 70 can get their driving licence for free.

Information on acceptable forms of payment is available on the application form.

Any required eyesight tests or medical examinations are not free of charge.

There are 2 ways that you can apply for your driving licence.

1. Online at NDLS.ie, or
2. In person by booking an appointment at an NDLS centre.

Applying online

To apply for your driving licence online, you will need to have the following:

• A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID
• Proof of your address if your address is different to the one you provided when you got your Public Services Card
• Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen
• A medical report form, dated within one month if required
• Application fee of €55 (unless you are 70 or over)
• Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for professional drivers

If you apply online, you do not have to provide your Certificate of Competence (the document that proves that you passed the driving test).

Read more about the online application process on the NDLS website.

Applying in person

You can apply for your driving licence in person by booking an appointment at one of 34 NDLS centres nationwide. There is no walk-in service available.

You will need to bring appropriate:

• Identification,
• Supporting documentation, and
• The fee (see ‘Rates’ above)

Unless you want to make your application in Irish, you are no longer required to submit an application form. However, you do need to prove your identity. Your photograph and signature will be captured at the NDLS centre.

Identification

In most cases, a Public Service Card (PSC) provides all the evidence required to verify your details in order to process your application. However, if you don’t hold a PSC you will need to submit the following 4 pieces of documentary evidence:

1. Photo ID
2. Evidence of your address
3. Evidence of your PPS number
4. Evidence of your normal residence

You can read more about the types of documents the NDLS will accept as evidence in respect of each of these criteria in their guidance notes (pdf).

Supporting documentation

Additionally, to support your application, you will have to submit your:

• Current or most recently issued learner permit, or
• Current driving licence, if you are adding a category to your driving licence or applying to exchange a foreign licence

Depending on the nature of your application, you may also need a:

• Driving Licence Medical Report Form (see below)
• Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form (see below)
• Completed Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) (for professional drivers)
• Initial Basic Training Certificate of Satisfactory Completion (for motorcyclists)
• Completed Garda Declaration form (when applying to replace a lost, stolen or damaged licence)
• Evidence of new address (if your address has changed since your last application)

Medical report form

You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying for driving licence categories C, C1, D, D1, CE, C1E, DE or D1E (buses and trucks), unless you previously provided a medical report which is still applicable.

You will not need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying for driving licence categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE or W (motorcycles, cars and work vehicles) unless you have a specific disability or condition.

If you are aged 75 or over, you will need a certification of fitness to drive from your doctor to apply for a 3-year or a one-year licence. You can read the medical fitness to drive guidelines (pdf).

You can download the medical report form (pdf) (it must be printed back to back on one page). It is also available from NDLS centres. 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. It must be sent within 1 month of the medical examination.

Eyesight report form

Generally any eyesight issues will be reported in the Driving Licence Medical Report Form. But, you will need a Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form if you no longer need glasses or contact lenses to drive (for example if you've had laser eye surgery). You can download the eyesight report form (pdf) (pages 1 and 2 should be printed back to back on one page). It is also available from NDLS centres. It must be sent within 1 month of completion.

Medical fitness guidelines and health information leaflets

You can get medical fitness guidelines and, forms on the NDLS website. There are also health and driving information leaflets. The leaflets have information to help drivers with medical and other conditions.

An application for a driving licence should be made online or in person to one of the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres - see 'How to apply' above. You can book an appointment online.

More information is available from the National Driver Licence Service website.

If you have a driving licence for a particular category, you are entitled to a driving licence for certain other categories as follows:

In addition, if you have held a driving licence for category B, C, C1, D, D1, BE, CE, C1E, DE or D1E since before 21 October 2006, you are entitled to a licence for category AM.