AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES

Driving in Ireland

American citizens are permitted to drive with a U.S. driver's license for the duration of a visit to Ireland; i.e., as long as their status is that of tourist and not resident. Once you decide to become resident in Ireland, regardless of how long you have been in the country, you must apply for an Irish driver's license. To apply for an Irish driver's license, contact the Motor Taxation Office, Block B, Blackhall Walk, Queen Street, Dublin 7, telephone  (01) 222-2222, or the Motor Taxation Office, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Nutgrove, Dublin 14, tel. (01) 222-8000.  Follow this link for a list of Motor Taxation offices in Ireland.  To be eligible for a full license, you must first obtain a provisional license (learner's permit) and take the Irish driving test.

All first time applicants for a provisional license must take an eye examination. This test must be given by an optician practicing in Ireland.

To apply for the Irish driver's test you should contact the following:

The Driver Testing
Department of the Environment
Government Buildings
Ballina
Co. Mayo

You may also apply for your driving test online. Follow this link for further information.  Further information about Driving Licence procedures is available on the Department of Transports website.

The forms which must be completed to apply both for both the driving test and a provisional or full license are available from Garda (police stations) nationwide.

The Driver Testing Section has advised the Embassy that there is usually a minimum eight week delay between applying for the test and receiving notification that the test has been scheduled. Also, there is usually a minimum six month delay between notification and test date. Staff at the center will attempt to facilitate U.S. citizens applying for a test if they can prove that there is some urgent reason for doing so. The applicant's name would be placed on a waiting list of applicants to be called when there are cancellations.

A U.S. driver's license may not be exchanged for an Irish license. Only European and Japanese licenses may be exchanged.

LOST OR STOLEN U.S. DRIVER'S LICENSES

The Embassy cannot reissue lost or stolen U.S. driver's licenses. The owner of the license must contact the state which issued the license and request reissuance. This can be a lengthy procedure taking several weeks. The owner of the license should contact the Citizen Services Unit on the next working day to get the address of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the relevant state or visit the USA.gov website. 

LEFT HAND DRIVE: CAUTION

As driving is on the left side of the road in Ireland, motorists without experience in left-drive countries should be particularly cautious. Tourists driving on the wrong side of the road are the cause of several serious accidents each year. Road conditions are generally very good, but once off main highway's, country roads quickly become narrow and uneven. Roads are more dangerous during the Summer and on holiday weekends due to an increase in traffic.

Link to Automobile Association - AA