- Fee: €65, or nothing if you are 70 or over.
- You can renew within three months of the expiry date.
- Group 1 (motorcycles, cars, tractors) licences last up to 10 years; Group 2 (buses, trucks, articulated vehicles) up to 5.
- Age and medical fitness can shorten the period.
How to renew online
NDLS says you do not need paper forms, an appointment or a visit. You need a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account, proof of address dated within six months if your address differs from the one you gave for your card, proof of normal residence if you were born outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK/Northern Ireland and are not a national, a fully completed medical report form dated within one month if it applies to you, and the €65 fee by credit or debit card.
How to renew in person
Book an appointment at one of 34 NDLS centres. Bring your current or most recent licence, your PPSN, any medical report that applies and the fee. If your licence is lost, stolen or damaged, bring valid photo ID as well. Pay by card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Payzone voucher.
How long the new licence lasts
| Age on application | Licence term |
|---|---|
| Under 65 | Maximum 10 years for cars and motorcycles; maximum 5 for trucks and buses |
| 65 to 71 | Expires on the eve of your 75th birthday at the latest; Group 2 categories for a maximum of five years |
| 72 to 74 | 3 years |
| 75 or over | 3 years, or 1 year subject to your doctor certifying fitness to drive |
A one or three-year licence may be issued earlier where, for medical reasons, a longer period cannot be granted. A one-year medical licence is free under the NDLS fee table, and a three-year licence on age or medical grounds costs €35.
A fixed fee
A renewal has a fixed fee and no extra service for a higher price. NDLS has no official social media pages, as gardaí and the RSA said in 2020, so a message on WhatsApp or Facebook offering to "renew your licence faster" is not NDLS. See NDLS look-alike pages.
If it has already expired
The NDLS renewal page says you can apply to renew within three months of the expiry date, and we did not find on the pages we read what the options are beyond that. Check the NDLS FAQ and the page "Renew my driving licence" before assuming. Driving without a valid licence is illegal, according to the NDLS FAQ. The news banner on ndls.ie also announces an extension period for driving licences and learner permits, whose terms we did not read, so read it if your licence expired recently.
Related questions
If you have lost the licence, use the replacement route (€35). If you moved, updating personal details is free. If you hold a foreign licence and live in Ireland, see exchanging it.
All the NDLS fees in one place
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First or renewal application | €65, free at 70 or over |
| Add or remove a category | €35 |
| Three-year licence (age or medical grounds) | €35 |
| One-year licence (medical grounds) | €0 |
| Replacement or duplicate | €35 |
| Exchange of a foreign licence | €65 |
| Update personal details | €0 |
Medical and eyesight forms
NDLS has pages explaining whether you need to submit a medical report or an eyesight report form, and a leaflet library on health and driving. If a form applies to you it must be dated within one month of the application, and NDLS says a qualified medical professional or optometrist completes it.
A short checklist
- Is the licence within three months of expiry?
- Do I have my Public Services Card and verified MyGovID?
- Does my address differ from my card record?
- Do I need a medical report?
Online or in person?
| Online | At a centre | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Not needed | Required |
| Identity | Public Services Card and verified MyGovID | Current licence, or photo ID if it is lost, plus PPSN proof |
| Fee | €65, card | €65, card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Payzone voucher |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence in Ireland?
€65, free if you are 70 or over, according to NDLS, checked 5 October 2026.
When can I renew my driving licence?
Within three months of its expiry date, according to the NDLS renewal page.
Can I renew my licence online?
Yes, with a Public Services Card and verified MyGovID, with a medical report form if it applies to you.
How long does a renewed licence last?
Up to 10 years for cars and motorcycles and 5 for buses and trucks for drivers under 65. Older drivers get shorter terms, down to 3 years at 72 to 74.
Does NDLS have a WhatsApp or Facebook service?
No. Gardaí and the RSA said in 2020 that NDLS has no official social media pages. Use ndls.ie or rsa.ie.