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.

How to apply

You may apply for a driving licence if you:

• Recently passed a driving test
• Hold a driving licence that is due to expire within three months and you wish to renew it
• Held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago and you wish to renew it
• Hold a driving licence and you wish to have an additional category of vehicle added to it and a driving test is not required 
• Are exchanging a current valid driving licence issued by another Member State of the European Union or of the European Economic Area or another *'recognised state'.

*Recognised state,a number of countries are designated as ‘recognised states’; this means that their driver licensing systems are broadly similar to ours. Australia, Gibraltar,Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey,New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan are ‘recognised states’ for the purposes of exchanging driving licences.

Working/studying abroad

To be eligible to apply for an Irish driving licence you must be what’s termed ‘normally resident’ in Ireland, ie living here for at least 185 days in each calendar year.

However, if you have family here yet are working or studying abroad for a specific period you may still be regarded as being normally resident in Ireland provided you return here regularly. Working abroad on a specific task or attending a foreign university or college does not mean you have transferred your normal residence to another country.

Checklist for application

If you are renewing your driving licence, your application should contain:

• Completed Driving Licence Application form (D 401)
• Your current or most recent driving licence
• Two passport-size photos, signed on reverse
• Appropriate fee
• Medical report (where applicable, if your are downloading the Medical Report form you must print it back to back)

Forms are available from your local Motor tax office, library or Garda station

If you are applying for your first licence, your application should contain:

• Completed Driving Licence Application form (D 401)
• Your current or most recent learner permit
• A certificate of competency if you have recently passed your driving test
• Two passport-size photos, signed on reverse
• Appropriate fee
• Medical report (where applicable, if your are downloading the Medical Report form you must print it back to back)

Forms are available from your local Motor tax office, library or Garda station

Medical matters

Certain medical conditions will preclude you from driving; others require a Medical Report before you can be issued with a licence. For more information, see the Medical Issues section.

Licence term

Your age will determine the licence term you can apply for:

• Under 60: 10-year or 3-year licence
• 60-66: a licence that will expire when you reach 70 or 3-year licence
• 67-69: 3-year licence
• 70 or over: 3-year or 1-year licence (subject to certification of fitness to drive by your doctor)

The age in question is your age on the first day of the period for which the licence is being granted. A 1-year licence may be granted in exceptional circumstances where, for medical reasons, a longer licence term cannot be granted.

Fees

• 1-year: €5
• 3-year: €15
• 10-year: €25
• Licence valid to age 70 (not more than 10-year): €25
• Applicant is 70 or over on licence start date: no fee

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to the city or county council(PDF) to which you are making the application. For example, if applying to Dublin Motor Tax Office the cheque should be made payable to Dublin City Council.