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 you 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): Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany,Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria,Sweden, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Poland, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Latvia and Slovenia.
- European Economic Area (EEA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.
- Other: Australia, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland.
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 a full Irish driving licence.
Step 2: Complete the ‘Exchange of Driver’s Licence’ Application Form D900
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.
This form must be stamped at a Garda (Irish Police) Station.
Step 4: Complete the ‘Medical Report Form’ D501
This document certifies that you are fit to drive.
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 on Application Form D201 below.
- You require a licence for a category of vehicle other than an ordinary car. 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.
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).
- 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 ispayable 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.