FAQ on Brexit and Driving Licences
Q. I live in Ireland and hold a UK/NI driving licence. Can I continue to drive in Ireland after Brexit on
my UK/NI driving licence?
A. With effect from 31 January 2020 the UK is no longer a member of the EU. Under the
arrangements put in place, UK/NI driving licences held by Irish residents will continue to be valid up
to 31 December 2020 – the end of the transition period. As and from this date a UK driving licence
held by Irish residents will no longer be valid to drive here in Ireland. For that reason, UK licence
holders should take steps to exchange their licence for an Irish one.
To exchange your driving licence you must complete a licence application form and present this, the
correct fee and your UK driving licence at any NDLS centre. You can make an appointment online at
www.ndls.ie to attend any of our 36 NDLS centres. We also offer a walk-in-service but be advised
there can be significant wait times for those without appointments. If you do not submit your
original UK/NI licence with your exchange application the NDLS will be unable to validate your
application without significant delays. If you are submitting a Letter of Entitlement in place of a lost
or expired licence you may be required to provide further verification from the DVLA in the UK. The
current average processing time to process a UK/NI exchange (if no further information is required)
is 10 working days.
For further information on how to exchange a UK or Northern Ireland driving licence please click
here
Q. Will I be able to exchange my UK/NI licence after the UK/NI leaves the EU?
A. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will put in place appropriate arrangements that
will allow for the exchange of a UK driving licence for an Irish driving licence after the transition
period end of 31 December 2020. It’s important to remember that in the immediate absence of such
an arrangement, your UK licence will no longer be valid in Ireland if you are an Irish resident. It must
be exchanged for an Irish licence.
Q. Am I licensed to drive while my licence has been sent for exchange?
A. It is important to note that while an individual is exchanging their licence, if their licence is valid
and in date, they will continue to be licenced for the period of the exchange process. For instance,
where the individual is exchanging their UK/NI licence, the NDLS will provide them with a receipt to
confirm they are indeed in the process of exchanging their licence. It is a requirement for individuals
to carry a driving licence with them at all times when driving. Enforcement is an operational matter
for An Garda Síochána.
Q. I live in the UK/NI and hold a UK/NI 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 to Ireland holding a UK/NI licence, you will be entitled to drive in Ireland as a visitor
with your existing driving licence. You will not be required to carry an International Driving Permit
with you in order to drive here, just ensure to carry your UK/NI driving licence with you.
Q. I’m a UK/NI citizen living in Ireland and I hold an Irish driving licence, will I be able drive in the UK/
NI from time to time after UK leaves EU.
A. Yes. An Irish driving licence is an EU licence and the UK/NI has indicated it will continue to
recognise EU driving licences.
Q. I live in Ireland and drive trucks across Europe including the UK/NI as part of my job, I am the
holder of an Irish driving licence with truck categories. Will I be able to drive on the Irish driving
licence in UK/NI after Brexit?
A. Yes. An Irish driving licence is an EU driving licence and the UK/NI has indicated it will continue to
recognise EU driving licences.
Q. As a UK/NI licence holder driver where can I find further information to prepare to drive in the EU
after Brexit?
A. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu-after-brexit
Q. I live in Northern Ireland and hold a UK/NI licence but travel to work daily to the Republic of
Ireland and drive a vehicle as part of my work in the Republic of Ireland, after the UK has left the EU
can I continue to do this on my UK/NI licence?
A. Yes, as a resident of Northern Ireland, you can continue to make this journey to work and drive for
your work duties in the Republic of Ireland on your UK/NI licence. International law covering driving
licences provide for such journeys.
Medical Report Form
Your application to exchange your UK/NI licence for an Irish licence must be accompanied by a
Medical Report if you:
• Are 70 years or over on the date of application or • Make an application where bus or truck licence
categories are being exchanged or • Indicate ‘yes’ to any of the medical questions on the driving
licence application form.
Q. What categories will I get on my Irish driving licence when I exchange my UK/NI driving licence?
It is important to note that some categories on your UK/NI driving licence may have National Codes
associated with them, which may mean these particular categories are not transferrable to an Irish
Licence.
For more detail see below.
Not for hire or reward’ on minibus (D1 category).
When Code 1 (or Code 101 on plastic card licence), indicates “Not for hire or reward’ on a minibus
(D1 category) the category is not transferrable to an Irish licence. Therefore, if this applies to your
driving licence, then when you receive your Irish driving licence it will not contain that licence
category. However, if you are the holder of a 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/NI and is
not transferrable when you exchange your UK/NI licence for an Irish one, as this category was issued
as a national category in the UK on passing a driving test in the car and only valid to drive in the UK.
Category EC Licence with Code 102
The licence for articulated truck (EC category) with Code 102 was granted in the UK/NI and is not
transferrable when you exchange your UK/NI licence for an Irish one, as this was a national category
in the UK and only valid to drive in the UK.
The only exception to the above is where an ‘old style’ UK/NI licences (paper licence, pink and green
in colour) issued up to June 1990 contains the following categories with no restriction code i.e. A and
E. This was prior to the EU Directive provisions taking effect which restricted such entitlement being
granted to a Member State with the agreement of the EU Commission and authorising driving solely
in the particular Member State. The entitlement including restriction is maintained under the
Commission Decision (EU) 2016/1945. Therefore, on exchange of the UK licence in Ireland the
following categories C1E 79 (≤8.25t), D1 79(nfhr), D1E 79(nfhr) will be issued.
≤8.25t - Provided the combined weight of the trailer and the towing vehicle does not exceed 8.25
tonnes.
nfhr - only drive vehicles not for hire or reward (not for professional use, no paying passengers
whether directly or indirectly)
