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FULL LICENCE - HOW TO APPLY FOR ONE

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Print this page FULL LICENCE - HOW TO APPLY FOR ONE

When you pass a driving test in Ireland you are entitled to apply for a full driving licence, which can be obtained by post or in person.

While the Department of Transport has overall responsibility for driver licensing, your local authority is a licensing authority and issue driving licences. Application forms and any other forms you may be required to submit with your application are available from the Motor Taxation Office of your local authority. From the 1st January, 2003 you are required to carry your full driving licence with you at all times when driving in Ireland.

A full driving licence enables you to apply for categories of licence in which it is necessary to hold a full driving licence. A full licence will also reduce the cost of your motor insurance premium and permit you to drive in other countries.

You are entitled to apply for a driving licence if:

you have recently passed a driving test
you hold a driving licence that will expire within one month and you want to renew it
you held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago and you want to renew it
you hold a driving licence and you want to have an additional category of vehicles added to it and a driving test is not required or you are exchanging a current valid driving licence issued by another EU member state or another "recognised state".

If you have a full Irish driving licence, this driving licence is accepted for use or exchange in all other EU/EEA member states. If you are travelling outside of the EU/EEA and will be driving, you may require an international driving permit.

Rules

The period of time a licence is issued for depends on the age of the applicant. There are 4 age brackets that the period of a licence falls under.

If you are under 60 years of age, you may apply for a three or ten-year licence.
If you are older than 60 but younger than 67 years of age, you may apply for a three-year licence or a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday.
If you are older than 67 but under 70 years of age, you may apply for a three-year licence.
If you are over the age of 70, you will need a certification of fitness to drive by your doctor to apply for a three-year or one-year licence.
If your full driving licence expired 10 years ago, then you must complete a Driver Theory Test. Following completion of your Driver Theory Test, you can only then apply for a provisional licence and you will have to re-sit your driving test again.

Categories of vehicles/Minimum age of driver

Motor vehicles in Ireland are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes. This is a standard practice throughout the European Union. Ireland has 14 categories in total, ranging from motorcycles to agricultural vehicles.

If I change address do I need to apply for a new full driving licence?

You are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving in Ireland. You are required to show evidence of your licence if requested by An Garda Siochana. While you are not required by law to change your driving licence if you change address, it is advisable nonetheless. Contact your Motor Tax Office for more information (see 'Where to Apply' below). Exchanging your driving licence to amend the address is a free service.

Replacing a lost/stolen full driving licence

If your most recent full Irish driving licence has been lost or stolen but is still valid, you can obtain a replacement driving licence. You may also obtain a replacement full driving licence if your most recent licence has expired. Read more in the link above.

Rates

Licence Period	Cost
One year	5 euro
Three years	15 euro
Ten years	25 euro

From 1st February, 2002 motorists over the age of 70 can get their full driving licence renewed for free.

Exchanging a driving licence to show a new address is free of charge.

How to apply

Download and complete application form D.401 (pdf). This form is used to apply for, or renew a driving license. Please check with your local Motor Tax Office that they accept applications on downloaded application forms. . Your completed application form should be returned to your local Motor Taxation Office and must include the following:
Two identical passport-type photographs, with the reverse of both signed by you.
Your current or most recently issued driving licence (if you hold or held one in the previous 10 years), or your current or most recently issued provisional licence (if you hold or held one in the previous five years).
A medical report. Download a medical report form (D.501) (pdf). You will need a completed medical report form if you are applying for a driving licence for categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED. You do not need this if you have previously provided a medical report, which is still applicable. A medical report is compulsory for any category if you will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being issued, suffer from any of the disabilities or diseases listed on the D.401 form, suffer from epilepsy or alcoholism or regularly take drugs or medication that are likely to impair your ability to drive safely. A registered 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.
A Certificate of Competency (if you have recently passed a driving test).
The appropriate fee.

If you are exchanging a current full driving licence issued by another EU member state or issued by a designated "recognised state" for licence exchange purposes, you must also submit a D.900 declaration form, which is available from your local Motor Taxation Office. On this form, you must make a declaration that the licence you are surrendering is both valid and current.

Further information

Questions in connection with your full Irish driving licence should be addressed to your local Motor Tax Office. Your nearest Motor Tax Office is based in your local authority.

Driver Testing Section
Department of Transport,
Government Buildings,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
Telephone: (096) 24200
Fax: (096) 24400
LoCall: (1890) 40 60 40 (calls charged at local rate from anywhere in the country)