You need a Driving Licence to drive on public roads in Ireland. You can apply for a Driving Licence after you pass a driving test.
You can get a Licence for :
- 3 or 10 years
- An instance may arise where an applicant may be issued a 1 year licence based on specific medical grounds
- If you are over 70 years of age a 1 year or 3 year licence will be issued based on the medical report submitted
When your licence expires you need to renew it.
Apply for a Driving Licence
To apply for your licence, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get a Certificate of Competency
You will receive a Certificate of Competency when you pass your driving test. To sit a driving test, complete the following application form.
Step 2: Complete the Driving Licence Application Form D401
The Driving Licence Application Form D401 must be completed using a Dublin residential address and is available from public libraries and Garda Stations..
Alternatively contact us at the address below and we will send you form D401.
Request by post
If you would like to have an application form posted out to you, you can request it using our Self Service Portal. Please select Request an Application Form from the list.
Step 3: If necessary 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(click here to get the form) completed.
- You require a licence for a category 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.
Step 4: Return all documentation to us
Send all the above documentation back to us at the address below
Please also enclose the following:
- Your Learner Driving Permit.
- Two identical passport type photos, signed by you on the reverse.
- A cheque or postal order for the appropriate fee made payable to ‘Dublin City Council’. Do not enclose cash.
- 1 year licence: €5
- 3 year licence: €15
- 10 year licence: €25
If you have lost your Learner Driving Permit (or Provisional Licence), you must complete the ‘Lost or Stolen Expired Licence Form D8A’. This form must also be stamped at a Garda Station. You will also be required to submit ID
Acceptable forms Of ID :
Step 5: We will send you your Driving Licence
You will receive your Driving Licence by post within 5 working days.