- Nine digits, at box 4d on the plastic card or box 5 on a paper document.
- It stays the same across your learner permit and licence records, according to the RSA.
- For insurance renewal you need the driver number only; NDLS says a driver statement is not required.
Where to find it
Look at the back of your plastic licence or permit for the box numbered 4d. On older paper documents it is box 5. The RSA describes it as the nine-digit number that is unique to you for all your licence records.
Where you are asked for it
| Where | Why |
|---|---|
| MyRoadSafety, when you apply for the driving test | The RSA requires it, along with your PPSN and a payment card |
| The RSA waiting-time estimator | With your date of birth, to find your queue position |
| MyEDT | Login uses your surname, first name, date of birth and driver number as printed on the permit |
| Car insurance renewal | NDLS says the driver number is all you need |
| Penalty point queries to NDLS | With your name and date of birth, or your PPSN |
Typing it correctly
The RSA's help pages list the mistakes that lock people out. Enter your name and date of birth exactly as they appear on the permit, including apostrophes, spaces and fadas. Avoid blank spaces before or after any detail. On an iPhone, the smart punctuation setting can turn an apostrophe into a different character. If you have recently received a permit, allow about 10 working days before MyEDT recognises it, and seven days for the driving test system to update.
Why it is worth protecting
The driver number is an identifier, not a secret code, and you will give it to your insurer, your instructor and the RSA. It is still one of the items the RSA's systems use to identify you, alongside your name and date of birth. If a stranger has all three, they have what MyEDT asks for. For that reason do not send a photograph of your licence or permit, front or back, to anyone you met through an advert or a social media message, whether they promise a licence, a booking or a renewal.
A driver statement is separate
A driver statement is a copy of your driver record. NDLS provides it free through a form and sends it only to the email address you give on the form or to the postal address linked to your record. It is not released to any third party. See our page on penalty points and driver statements.
If you do not have a number yet
The RSA lists not having an Irish driver number as a case where you cannot apply for the driving test online, so the sequence matters: theory test, then learner permit, then driving test.
Reading your card
The RSA's help pages refer to boxes on the card: box 1 is your surname, box 2 your first name and box 4d your driver number. When you log in to MyEDT, type each exactly as printed.
- Surname, from box 1 of the card.
- First name, from box 2.
- Date of birth in the format the portal shows, such as 07/10/1978.
- Driver number, from box 4d.
- Check for blank spaces before or after any detail.
Plastic card or paper document
The RSA says the number is at 4d on a plastic permit or licence and at box 5 on a paper one. If you still hold a paper document, the numbers differ in position only, not in meaning.
What not to send
- A photo of the front and back of your licence to a social media seller.
- Your driver number, date of birth and PPSN together to someone who rang you.
- A screenshot of MyRoadSafety or MyEDT showing your details.
If you already have, follow the steps for people who paid.
Common login and booking errors
| Message or problem | RSA explanation |
|---|---|
| "Driver does not exist on the NVDF" in MyEDT | Your names do not match the permit exactly, or the permit is too new. Allow 10 working days for a recent permit. |
| Driving test application not accepted | A recently issued permit takes seven days to update on the RSA system. |
| PPSN not accepted | Contact mygovid.ie to verify your PPSN details. |
| Address line 2 required | If you have no line 2, repeat line 1 in line 2 and save. |
| "You have a booking for a driving test" | You already hold a booking in the same category. |
None of these is fixed by sending your documents to a third party. Fix them with the RSA's own help pages.
Frequently asked questions
Where is my driver number?
At box 4d on a plastic Irish driving licence or learner permit, or box 5 on a paper one. It is a nine-digit number.
Do I need a driver statement to renew car insurance?
No. NDLS says a driver statement is not required to renew motor insurance. You only need your driver number from box 4d.
Who needs my driver number?
The RSA for driving test applications and MyEDT, NDLS for queries and your insurer for renewal. Do not send licence photos to people who contacted you through an advert.
What if my driver number is not accepted online?
Check the spelling of your name and date of birth against the permit, including fadas and apostrophes, and allow up to 10 working days after a new permit for the systems to update.