FAQ on Brexit and Driving Licences
Q. I 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.
A. 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.
Q. I live in Ireland, hold a UK driving licence and would like to be able to continue to drive here in
Ireland after Brexit on my UK driving licence.
A. In a no-deal Brexit scenario, as a resident in Ireland, your UK driving licence will not be valid to
drive here in Ireland. Prior to 29 March 2019 you could decide to exchange your UK driving licence
for an Irish driving licence. The duration to process a UK exchange application will be at minimum 17
working days, if there is a significant increase in volume then this could extend this time period .
More information on exchanging a driving licence can be found here. It is also the case that,
following a no-deal Brexit, as things stand your driving licence will not be valid for exchange
following Brexit.
There is a possibility in such a scenario that Ireland and the UK will enter into a bi-lateral
arrangement on driving licences where Ireland recognise UK driving licences. Inevitably, this will take
a little time to complete as it involves a formal agreement and legislation here in Ireland.
The position is different if there is an agreed Brexit. The current Withdrawal Agreement provides for
arrangements to recognise UK driving licences across the EU during the transition period which is
until December 2020. It is expected that negotiations on the future relationship, which will take
place during the transition period will seek to put a permanent arrangement in place.
This means in an agreed Brexit, for residents in Ireland, that UK driving licences in Ireland will be
recognised until December 2020 and subject to whatever agreement is then reached in the
transition period.
Q. I’m a UK citizen, I live here in Ireland and I hold an Irish driving licence can I drive in the UK from
time to time?
A. An Irish driving licence will continue to be recognised in the UK. An Irish driving licence is an EU
licence and the UK has indicated it will continue to recognise EU driving licences.
Q. I live in Ireland and drive trucks across Europe including the UK as part of my job, I am the
holder of an Irish driving licence with truck categories, can I drive on the Irish driving licence in UK
after Brexit?
A. An Irish driving licence is an EU driving licence and the UK has indicated it will continue to
recognise EU driving licences.
Q. As a UK licence holder driver where can I find further information to prepare to drive in the
EU after Brexit?
A. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prepare-to-drive-in-the-eu-after-brexit
Q. I live in Northern Ireland and hold a UK licence but travel to work daily in the Republic, can I
continue to do this on my UK licence?
A. Yes you can continue to make this journey on your UK licence. International law covering driving
licences provide for such journeys.
Please note the following when a UK licence is being exchanged for an Irish
Driving licence.
Medical Report Form
Where bus or truck licence categories are being exchanged from UK licence to Irish licence a
completed medical report form is required to be submitted with the application if the categories are
to be exchanged. Please note if a driver indicates ‘yes’ to any of the medical questions on the driving
licence application form a completed medical report form is required to be submitted with the
application.
‘Not for hire or reward’ on minibus (D1 category).
On ‘old style’ UK licences (paper licence, pink and green in colour) Code 1 (or Code 101 on plastic
card licence), indicates “Not for hire or reward’ and this applies to minibus category (D1 category)
only. Where these Code are against the D1 category on your licence, the category is not
transferrable to an Irish licence. So if this applies to your licence then when you receive your
exchanged Irish licence it will not contain that licence category.
However, if you are the holder of bus category (D category) or minibus category (DI category)
without these Codes, these categories are transferrable to your Irish licence provided you submit a
medical report with your application.
Category EC1 Licence with Code 107
The licence for light articulated truck (EC1 category) with Code 107 was granted in the UK and is not
transferrable when you exchange your UK licence for an Irish one.
Category EC Licence with Code 102
The licence for articulated truck (EC category) with Code 102 was granted in the UK and is not
transferrable when you exchange your UK licence for an Irish one.
