European Countries

All European Union (EU) countries are eligible for a straightforward and convenient process when exchanging their foreign driving licences for an Irish one. This is great news for expats and newcomers to Ireland, as it enables them to continue driving with minimal hassle and without the need for additional tests or complex procedures. See the comprehensive list of EU countries below.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Norway
• Liechtenstein
• Iceland

Other Eligible Countries

Aside from the European Union member states, there are several other recognised states that have licence exchange agreements with Ireland. This means that residents from these countries can exchange their driving licences for an Irish one without having to go through additional tests or complex procedures. Whether you are a new resident in Ireland or planning to move there, check out the list of these eligible states below to see if your country is included.

• Australia –
  1. If you are issued an Irish driving licence in exchange for a licence from Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania or Victoria, it will restrict you to automatic vehicles only. That is unless confirmation is received from the issuing licencing authority that the licence holder completed a test in a vehicle with manual transmission.
  2. Please ensure any Letter of Entitlement submitted in support of your application reflects whether your driving test was completed in a vehicle with manual or automatic transmission. If your driving test was taken in an automatic vehicle, you can only drive an automatic vehicle.
  3. When exchanging a driving licence from Vic Roads licensing authority, you must sign a consent form to allow Vic Roads to release information to NDLS if required. Please ensure that you complete the Applicant Details and Individual/Organisation sections of this consent form which can be downloaded here
• Gibraltar
• Guernsey – The paper counterpart must be submitted with the driving licence.
• Isle of Man – If the driving licence was issued prior to February 2016 the paper counterpart must be submitted with the licence.
• Japan – A certified translation issued by the Japanese Embassy in Dublin is required to accompany your licence.
• Jersey
• South Africa –
  1. Proof of a South African driving licence is currently issued in a credit card format. The credit card format expires every 5 years however the driving licence of the individual may remain valid in South Africa even if the card expires.
  2. When applying for the exchange of a South African driving licence, an original letter of entitlement / driver statement is required with your application. This should be attained from the South African authorities confirming the period of time the licence entitlement is valid for.
• Republic of Korea (South Korea) – A certified translation of the licence will be required. This is available from the Korean Embassy in Dublin
• Switzerland
• New Zealand –
  1. Motorcycle & Car are the only categories recognised for exchange between Ireland & New Zealand
  2. Persons who have a full New Zealand licence in respect of class 1 (i.e. has passed both stages of the test) and where the New Zealand authorities are unable to confirm whether the first stage test was taken in an automatic or manual vehicle will be given entitlement to drive automatic vehicles only on exchanging to an Irish driving Licence
• Taiwan – Motorcycle & Car are the only categories recognised for exchange between Ireland and Taiwan. Anyone applying to exchange a licence from Taiwan should first get a letter of entitlement from the Taipei Representative Office. To apply for a letter of entitlement letter/ Driver statement the applicant needs to email hmlin@mofa.gov.tw or twnirl@gmail.com with electronic copies of driver licence (both sides), passport, and contact telephone and address.
• United Kingdom (UK)

Canadian Provinces Eligible for Licence Exchange

Residents from several Canadian provinces can exchange their driving licences for an Irish one, thanks to a licence exchange agreement between the two countries. This means that those moving from Canada to Ireland can continue driving with minimal hassle and without the need for additional tests. Check out the list of eligible Canadian provinces below to see if you qualify for the exchange.

• Alberta –
  

  Category on Alberta Licence	Category to be given on Irish Licence
  Class 5	B, W
  Class 6	AM, A1

  In the case of a Driver’s Licence from Alberta, the applicant for an Irish Driver’s Licence, will be issued a Category ‘B’ Driver’s Licence which is limited to the operation of Motor Vehicles equipped with automatic transmission. Alberta applicants who wish to operate Motor Vehicles with manual transmission on a public road in Ireland must first pass a practical driving test in order to operate such a Motor Vehicle and will therefore have to apply for a learner permit to do this. They will be exempt from the car (BW) driver theory test and the essential driver training, only.
  Only Physical Licences will be exchanged, no Letters of Entitlement without a licence will be accepted for Exchange.
  Note: Each Canadian Province exchange agreement with Ireland is individual. They may differ in categories and administrative procedures. These agreements have been carefully put together to reach a licence exchange agreement and signed off by the Departments of Transport in the respective jurisdictions.

• British Columbia –
  

  Class on British Columbia Driving Licence	Category to be given on Irish Licence
  Class 5	B*, W
  Class 6	A1, AM
  Class 7	B*, W
  Class 8	A1, AM

  *Category B (Restricted to automatic transmission unless documentary evidence is produced that proves a test has been passed in a vehicle with manual transmission)

• Manitoba – Manitoba licence holders can exchange a Class 5, I or F driving licence for the category B (car restricted to automatic transmission). You will also be given a category W (Tractor).You can also exchange a Class 6, stage I or F driving licence for the category A1 (small motorcycle).Please note that an original driver’s abstract/statement is required with Manitoba exchanges. However, if a driver exchanging a Manitoba Licence has a current entitlement in Ireland, a driver’s abstract/statement will not be required.
• New Brunswick – Anyone presenting a driving licence from New Brunswick must sign a declaration to allow New Brunswick licensing authority to release information to the NDLS if required. This is to be able to verify the details of the driving licence they wish to exchange. This release form is available to download here if required.
  

  Category on New Brunswick Licence	Category to be given on Irish Licence
  Class 5	*B, W
  Class 6	AM, A1

  *Category B (Restricted to automatic transmission unless documentary evidence is produced that proves a test has been passed in a vehicle with manual transmission)
  **Only Physical Licences will be exchanged, no Letters of Entitlement without a licence will be accepted for Exchange.
  Note: Each Canadian Province exchange agreement with Ireland is individual. They may differ in categories and administrative procedures. These agreements have been carefully put together to reach a licence exchange agreement and signed off by the Departments of Transport in the respective jurisdictions.

• Newfoundland –
  

  Category on  Licence Newfoundland & Labrador	Category to be given on Irish Licence
  Class 5	B, W
  Class 5 Level II	B, W
  Class 6	A1, AM
  Class 6 level II	A1, AM

  *Category B (Restricted to automatic transmission unless documentary evidence is produced that proves a test has been passed in a vehicle with manual transmission)

• Ontario – Ontario licence holders can exchange a G or G2 driving licence for the category B (car) restricted to automatic transmission. Please note that an original driver’s abstract/statement is required with Ontario exchanges. However if a driver exchanging an Ontario Licence has a current entitlement in Ireland, a driver’s abstract/statement is not required
• Saskatchewan –
  

  Category on  Licence Saskatchewan	Category to be given on Irish Licence
  Class 5	B, W
  Class 5 M Non Novice	A1, AM

  *Category B (Restricted to automatic transmission unless documentary evidence is produced that proves a test has been passed in a vehicle with manual transmission)
  **Only Physical Licences will be exchanged, no Letters of Entitlement without a licence will be accepted for Exchange.
  Note: Each Canadian Province exchange agreement with Ireland is individual. They may differ in categories and administrative procedures. These agreements have been carefully put together to reach a licence exchange agreement and signed off by the Departments of Transport in the respective jurisdictions.