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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, has announced the signing of new regulations which will make it easier for returning emigrants and others to obtain an Irish driving licence.

People taking up residence in Ireland, including returning emigrants, who have a driving licence from another EU jurisdiction, or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement on exchange of driving licences, can exchange their driving licence for the Irish equivalent. People with a full licence from a non-EU country with which Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement are required to go through the driver learning process. This is done in the interests of public safety – while many people in this situation may have excellent records of safe driving, we need to apply a measurable standard against which to decide on applications for driving licences.

It is widely recognised that this system is both costly and time-consuming for returning emigrants and others. The principal source of both cost and time is the requirement to undertake a mandatory course of 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons.

Following discussion with the Road Safety Authority, and also with Ciarán Cannon, Minister for the Diaspora, Minister Ross has now signed regulations into law under which people with a full but non-exchangeable licence will be able to take the driving test after a reduced programme of 6 rather than 12 EDT lessons. Due to the need for changes in the RSA systems and to prepare driving instructors for the new arrangements, the new measures will take effect from 21 January 2019.

Speaking today, Minister Ross said

I am very pleased to be able to bring in this measure. While it is not just about returning emigrants, I know that many returning emigrants who are not able to exchange their driving licences have found the process of getting an Irish driving licence very frustrating, as well as costly and time-consuming. This new system will significantly reduce both the time and the cost involved. I am aware that some people would like us to go further. However, I have weighed up the options, and I am convinced that requiring some lessons will help people to prepare for the test and improve their chances of passing at the first go, as well as helping them to adjust to specifically Irish road traffic rules. This will benefit a growing number of people, as our economy improves and more people come here, including returning emigrants.

Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciaran Cannon said,

This is a welcome move by Minister Ross which will assist a number of people moving to Ireland, and we now need to continue to work across all areas of Government to remove any further barriers affecting Irish people that wish to return to Ireland to work and live.