How to renew your driving licence

You can renew your driver licence online. You need to have a Public Services Card and a MyGovID verified account. You can visit an NDLS centre to renew your licence. You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can find out about replacing a lost, stolen or damaged driving licence.

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.

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 driving licence if you hold a driving licence that will expire within 3 months or 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.

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.

If you are aged 70 or over, you can renew your driving licence for free and apply by post.

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

Online applications

You can apply to renew your driving licence online. You need to have a Public Services Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account. You also need to have:

• Proof of your address dated within the last 6 months 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)

Applying in person

If you cannot renew your licence online, you will have to apply to an NDLS centre in person. You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. You do not have to provide photographs with your application, as your photo and signature will be digitally recorded.

You are no longer required to submit an application form. See guidance notes on applying for a Driving Licence and Applying for a Learner Permit on ndls.ie.

You must bring the following documentation with you when renewing your driving licence:

• Your current or most recent driving licence. If your licence has been lost, stolen or damaged you must also bring valid photo ID with you.
• Proof of your PPS number
• The appropriate fee - see ‘Rates’ above
• Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen
• Proof of address, dated within the last 6 months is required if your current address is not recorded on your lost, stolen or damaged permit and it differs from the one provide by the Department of Social Protection if and when you applied for a Public Services Card
• A Driving Licence Medical Report Form, dated within one month if required (see below)
• A Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form, if required (see below)

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 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) if you have a specific disability or condition (see application form).

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). 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 submitted within 1 month of the medical examination.

Eyesight report form

Generally any eyesight issues will be reported in the Driving Licence Medical Report Form. However, you will require 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 submitted 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.

Apply online

You can apply to renew your driving licence online. You need to have a Public Services Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account.

Apply in person

You can apply in person to one of the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres. You must book an appointment online. There is no walk-in-service.

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