- Fee: €65, free if you are aged 70 or over.
- EU/EEA licence: valid to drive in Ireland while it is valid; exchange within 10 years of expiry.
- Other licences: you can drive as a visitor for up to a year. Once you take up normal residence, which NDLS ties to usually living here at least 185 days in a calendar year, you must exchange or apply for an Irish licence.
- NDLS FAQ: an exchange may take up to three months because licence details are verified with the foreign licensing authority.
Three groups
| Licence from | What you do |
|---|---|
| An EU/EEA state | Exchange for €65 within 10 years of expiry, online or at an NDLS centre. Post the original licence in after applying online, or NDLS rejects the application. A Driver CPC code 95 is not transferred, and professional drivers apply to the RSA for a separate CPC card. |
| A recognised state | Exchange within one year of expiry if you also send a letter of entitlement from the issuing authority. An eyesight report is also required for a non-EU licence, and a medical report where needed. |
| Any other country | No exchange. Complete the learning-to-drive process, with a reduced EDT programme available. |
Recognised states
NDLS says Ireland has agreements with certain countries and is engaging with others to extend the list. When we read the NDLS page, in a copy archived on 6 September 2026, the recognised states were: Australia (by state or territory), Canada (by province), Georgia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Moldova, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Each has its own notes. For example, an Irish licence granted in exchange for an Australian licence is automatic-only unless the letter of entitlement shows a manual test, Taiwan covers motorcycle and car only, and the Republic of Korea and Japan need translations. Check the live NDLS page before you apply, because the list can change.
UK licences
For a UK licence NDLS asks for a DVLA check code, which lets it securely view your licence details, and says UK details can be verified. Some categories carry UK national codes and may not transfer to an Irish licence. If the licence has expired by less than a year or has no category start date, you also need an original letter of entitlement dated within six months of your application.
What you need
- A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID for the online application.
- Your current or most recent foreign licence, to be posted in.
- Proof of address dated in the last six months if it differs from your card record.
- Proof you are normally resident if you were born outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK/Northern Ireland and are not a national.
- A medical report dated within one month if required, and a CPC for some C and D categories under age limits.
- A certified translation of any letter of entitlement or driver statement not in English or Irish.
If your country is not on the list
You pass the theory test, apply for a learner permit, complete Essential Driver Training and pass the driving test. A reduced EDT of at least six lessons instead of twelve has applied since 21 January 2019, and you can apply to be exempted from the six-month wait. Once you hold an Irish learner permit it takes precedence over your full foreign licence, so the learner rules apply. Where a foreign licence was issued in exchange for one from a country with no agreement with Ireland, NDLS says it cannot be exchanged.
Why buying a foreign licence does not help
Search suggestions for Irish searchers include phrases such as buying a Bulgarian, Latvian, Polish or Italian driving licence. Exchange does not reward that. NDLS requires the original, may confirm validity with the issuing country, and rejects an application without the licence. See why offers fail.
Planning the timing
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA licence | Exchange within 10 years of expiry |
| Recognised state, expired licence | Up to one year after expiry, with a letter of entitlement |
| Letter of entitlement | Original, submitted within 6 months of the application |
| Normal residence | Usually living in Ireland at least 185 days in a calendar year |
| Processing | Up to three months per the NDLS FAQ, then up to 10 working days for delivery |
Do not leave an exchange until the licence has expired for months, because the windows are fixed and some countries cannot be exchanged at all after them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to exchange a foreign licence in Ireland?
€65, and nothing if you are aged 70 or over, according to NDLS, checked 5 October 2026.
Can I exchange a UK driving licence in Ireland?
Yes. NDLS lists the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland as recognised, asks for a DVLA check code, and warns that some UK national codes may not transfer.
How long does a licence exchange take?
NDLS says up to three months, because it may need confirmation from the foreign licensing authority. Then allow up to 10 working days for delivery by An Post.
Can I use my US licence in Ireland?
As a visitor yes, for up to 12 months, according to NDLS. Once you are normally resident you cannot drive on a non-EU/EEA licence, and the US is not in the recognised-state list we read.
What if my country does not have an exchange agreement?
You follow the Irish route: theory test, learner permit, Essential Driver Training (reduced to at least six lessons for foreign licence holders) and the driving test.
Do I post my original licence?
Yes. For online applications you post in the current or most recent foreign licence, and NDLS rejects the application if you do not submit it.