Implications for UK driving licence holders in Ireland after Brexit

If there is a no-deal Brexit, the driving licence of a UK licence holder living here in Ireland will not be valid or recognised in Ireland.

This means the driver will not be able to continue to drive here in Ireland on that licence. UK driving licence holders currently residing in Ireland are advised to exchange their UK driving licence for an Irish driving licence before the Brexit deadline, 29 March 2019.

This is the date which is set as the withdrawal date of the UK from the European Union.

Currently, a UK licence holder residing in Ireland is entitled to exchange their licence and, in this case, the driver will have all valid licence categories on their driver licence included on the Irish licence. Some exceptions are in place in what are known as ‘national licences categories’ which cannot be transferred to the Irish licence.

In order to find out of you have any national categories on your UK licence, you should speak to the DVLA to find this information out.

To exchange your licence, you must complete a licence application form and present this, with the correct fee and your UK licence at a National Driving Licence Service centre where you will get more information on the process.

If you live in the UK and hold a UK driving licence and would like to be able to drive a vehicle in Ireland from time to time on holidays after Brexit, as a visitor there is no reason that you will not be able to drive in Ireland for holidays with your existing driving licence. This will apply regardless of whether there is a deal or no-deal Brexit. You should not be required to carry an International Driving Permit with you in order to drive here, just ensure to carry your UK driving licence with you.