Licences.

Driving Licences and Learner Permits

From January 2013, all new driving licences and learner permits will be in credit card-sized format as part of the EU Directive 2006/126/EU. Through its National Driving Licence Service (NDLS), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will produce all future driving licences and learner permits in this new format from 19 January 2013. After 19 January, 2013, the new plastic card licence will be available for those who need a new or renewed licence. You can only apply if:

You’ve passed your driving test and are applying for your first driver licence
You’re renewing your learner permit / driving licence
You’re exchanging a foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence

All old paper licences are valid for a maximum of 10 years and will remain in place until their expiry date. What exactly will be changing? From 19 January 2013, all first time learner permits, first time driving licences will be issued in plastic credit-card sized format instead of paper.

At present, learner permit and driving licence applications are handled by local authority Motor Taxation Offices and this will still be the case for much of 2013. The service will be transferred to the NDLS by September 2013. Until the transfer is complete, Motor Taxation Offices will still process all applications and the new-style licence will be produced and delivered by a specialist company. It is important to note, though, that even though Motor Taxation Offices will process the applications until September 2013, they will not be able to issue driving licences over the counter from January 2013.

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How much will it cost?

Following a decision made by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Mr Leo Varadkar TD the fees for driving licences and learner permits will increase from 1 January 2013. This fee increase is the first since 1989. During this time the fee has not kept pace with inflation to the result that the service was under funded. The increased fee will ensure that the service into the future will be self financing.

January 1st 2013

Driving Licence:

New Driving Licences and Renewals €55
Three Year Licence (Age or Medical Grounds) €35
One Year Licence (Medical Grounds) €25
Replacement or Duplicate Licence €35
Exchange a Foreign Licence €55

Learner Permit:

All Learner Permits €35
Replacement or Duplicate Learner Permit €35

From Januray 12th 2013: Driving Licence/Learner Permits

Changes to existing Licences/Permits eg. new category added/removed €35

The Over 70’s Driving Licences /Learner Permits will remain free

Further Information on Driving Licence Changes

Driving Licence Changes: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed%20Drivers/Driving%20Licence%20Changes%202013/NDLS%20Flyer%20(PDF).pdf

New National Driving Licence Service; http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-Licence-Changes/Driving-Licence-Changes-January-2013/

Applying for a driving licence: http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/About-your-license/

New Licencing Rules http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/New-Driver-Licensing-Rules-from-January-2013/

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