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New agreement signed between Ireland and Newfoundland & Labrador

Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan TD, has today welcomed the signing of a new Driver Licence Exchange Agreement between Ireland and Newfoundland & Labrador. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, signed the agreement into law today.

Under the agreement, holders of a full Irish driving licence who take up residence in Newfoundland & Labrador can exchange their licence for a Newfoundland & Labrador licence. Holders of Newfoundland & Labrador licences who take up residence in Ireland will also be able to exchange their driving licences for an Irish licence. The agreement means that applicants for exchange will not need to take a driving test in order to exchange their driving licences.

Welcoming the news Minister Deenihan said:

“I am delighted to hear that my colleague, Minister Donohoe, has succeeded in securing a further driver licence exchange agreement in Canada. This news will be most welcome to the large Irish community in Canada and builds on arrangements already in place in other Canadian provinces. This mutual exchange also builds on the commitment in Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy, to work to on removing barriers for those thinking of returning home to Ireland.

“I wish to extend my gratitude to the Irish Embassy in Canada who worked hard to make this agreement possible.”

This agreement follows on an exchange arrangement with Ontario which was launched in 2014 and with Manitoba which was launched in 2015. Therefore Irish licences can be exchanged in 6 of the 10 Canadian provinces as New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and British Columbia unilaterally exchange local licences for Irish licences.