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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross TD, has today signed an agreement with the Canadian province of British Columbia on reciprocal exchange of driving licences.

This means that holders of Irish driving licences who take up residence in British Columbia may now exchange their driving licences for British Columbia licences, and holders of British Columbia driving licences taking up residence in Ireland may exchange their licences for the Irish equivalent.

Speaking today, Minister Ross said ‘I am very pleased to announce this agreement on driving licence exchange with British Columbia.  For some time now we have been working towards agreement on driving licence exchange with the Canadian provinces.  With this agreement we now have exchange arrangements in place with four of the ten provinces, meaning over half of Canada’s population is now provided for, and work is continuing on reaching agreement with the remaining six.’

‘This agreement will be of particular benefit to Irish people who have moved to British Columbia or are planning to.  It will also help people from British Columbia – including returning Irish emigrants – to move more easily to Ireland.  This agreement underlines in particular our commitment to Ireland’s diaspora, whether those currently seeking work abroad or those who wish to come home.’

The agreement with British Columbia is the fourth such agreement with a Canadian province, following those already in place with Ontario, Manitoba, and Newfoundland & Labrador.