You can exchange a foreign driving licence for an Irish Driving Licence, if your licence was issued by an approved country (see below).

You should exchange your licence if you have been living in Ireland for more than 12 months and plan to stay here for several years.

Exchange your Licence for an Irish Driving Licence

To exchange your licence, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the licence you want to exchange

You can only exchange your licence if it was issued by one of the following:

• European Union (EU): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,  Sweden and the United Kingdom. 
• European Economic Area (EEA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.
• Other: Australia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan(Republic of China)

If you have a driving licence from your own country (or an international driving permit) but are not from any of the countries list, you are allowed to drive in Ireland for 1 year only.

If you intend to stay here for longer than 1 year, you need to apply for an Irish Learner Permit.

Step 2: Complete the ‘Exchange of Driver’s Licence’ Application Form D900

• Download Application Form D900 (PDF 28Kb)
• Ioslódáil an Fhoirm Iarratais D900 (PDF 55Kb)
• Or contact us at the address below to request a copy

Step 3: Complete the ‘Licence Renewal’ Application Form D401

Application Form D401 is available from public libraries and Garda (Irish Police) Stations.

Alternatively contact us at the address below and we will send you form D401.

Step 4: Complete the ‘Medical Report Form’ D501

You only need to complete a Medical Report D501 if:

• You are over 70 or will be 70 on the day your licence is issued.
• You answer ‘Yes’ to any of the medical questions(except Q16+17) on Application Form D401.
• NB: If there is a change in eyesight since last your last licence e.g. you have had corrective surgery or now need glasses or corrective lenses for the purpose you should have Eyesight Report Form D502 completed.
• You require a licence for a category of vehicle other than an ordinary car(i.e. Categories other than A1, A, B, EB, M and W).
• View a list of all licence categories.

To complete the form, make an appointment with a doctor. He/she will complete the form for you. 

This document certifies that you are fit to drive.

This document certifies that you are fit to drive.

• Download a Medical Report Form D501 (PDF 482Kb)
• Íoslódáil Ceadúnas an Tuairisc Liachta D501 (PDF 269Kb)
• Or contact us at the address below to request a copy

Step 5: Send all the information to us

Send all the above information to us at the address below.

Please also send the following:

• The Driving Licence you want to exchange (not a photocopy). Find out what to do if your Driving Licence has been lost or stolen.
• Your passport (not a photocopy) or an EU National Identity Card(click here for a list of acceptable EU Identity Cards) .
• Two passport-type photos. These must also be signed by you on the back.
• A cheque (or postal order) for to pay for your licence. Make sure the cheque is payable to ‘Dublin City Council’. Do not send us cash.
• 3 year driving licence: €15
• 10 year driving licence: €25.

Note: If the Driving Licence you want to exchange is ‘out-of-date’, you first need to get a new licence (or a certificate of authenticity) from the Licensing Authority in your home country. Contact us at the address below for more details about this.

Step 6: We will send you your Irish Driving Licence

You will receive your Irish Driving Licence by post within 5 working days.