Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Ireland: Who Can Swap

Photo: Anna Lupa / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

You can exchange a full driving licence for an Irish one, without a test, only if it was issued by an EU or EEA country or by a “recognised state” that Ireland has an exchange agreement with. That list includes the UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan, Georgia, Moldova and seven Canadian provinces. Licences from anywhere else, including the US, cannot be exchanged: you start as a learner. This guide sets out the list as of November 2026, the automatic-only catch and what non-exchangeable licence holders do instead.

Key facts

• Only full licences can be exchanged. Learner and provisional permits cannot.
• Exchanges are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS).
• UK licences have been exchangeable under a bilateral agreement since 31 December 2020 (11 p.m.).
• Several agreements (Australia, New Zealand, Canadian provinces) give you an automatic-only Irish licence unless your manual test is confirmed.
• A licence that was itself obtained by exchanging a licence from a non-recognised country generally cannot be exchanged again in Ireland.
• Your Irish licence will show code 70 (exchange of recognised driving licence).

Which licences can be exchanged in Ireland?

Each recognised state is designated by its own Order under section 23A of the Road Traffic Act 1961. The table summarises them.

The NDLS publishes the working list and any conditions, such as how long ago your licence can have expired, so check it before you apply.

What “automatic only unless a manual test is confirmed” means

For these places the Irish licence you get is limited to automatic cars, unless the licensing authority that issued your licence confirms you passed your test in a manual car. If that authority later issued you an automatic-only licence, the manual entitlement is not granted. For Ontario the Order gives automatic only, with no manual exception. To drive manual in Ireland after an automatic-only exchange, you would need to pass an Irish manual test.

Licences gained by exchange elsewhere

The Orders don’t apply to a licence that a recognised state issued in exchange for a licence from a country Ireland does not recognise. For example, if you swapped a US licence for one in a country on the list, that second licence generally can’t then be exchanged in Ireland. The UK Order has a limited exception for some categories.

Ukraine

Ukrainian licences held by people with temporary protection in Ireland are recognised for driving here while that permission is valid (S.I. 434/2022). That is recognition for use, not an exchange arrangement.

UK licences after Brexit

Ireland and the UK signed an agreement on the mutual exchange of driving licences, given effect by the Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (United Kingdom) Order 2020 from 11 p.m. on 31 December 2020. A full UK licence, including one from Northern Ireland, can be exchanged for an Irish licence in the matching categories. Learner (provisional) licences cannot.

How to exchange your licence

1. Check your licence is from a country or province in the table and is a full licence.
2. Apply to the NDLS. Since 19 May 2025 every licence application must include evidence that you have a legal right to live in Ireland.
3. Send your foreign licence with the application, as the 2006 Regulations require, along with the identity and other documents the NDLS lists. If you have a condition on the medical list, or will be 75 or older, include a D501 medical report. See medical and eyesight requirements.
4. Check fees, document lists and processing times on the NDLS website before you book.

If the right-to-reside document you used expires, your Irish licence can be revoked unless you show the NDLS new evidence within 30 days.

If your licence can’t be exchanged

Licences from countries not in the table, such as the US and India, and from Canadian provinces and territories not listed, can’t be swapped. You follow the normal route:

1. pass the Driver Theory Test
2. get a learner permit
3. complete Essential Driver Training. Some holders of a foreign licence can apply for reduced EDT and an exemption from the six month rule.
4. pass the driving test

See also the six month rule and learner driver insurance.

Common questions

Can I exchange a US driving licence in Ireland?

No. No US state is on Ireland’s recognised list as of November 2026. You need to go through the learner permit, EDT and driving test process, though you may qualify for reduced EDT.

Can I exchange a Canadian licence?

Only from Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta or New Brunswick. Most give an automatic-only Irish licence unless your manual test is confirmed.

Can I exchange an Indian driving licence in Ireland?

No. India is not a recognised state for exchange.

Does my Irish licence show that it was exchanged?

Yes. It carries code 70, “exchange of recognised driving licence”. For the other codes and categories, see Irish driving licence categories.

Can I exchange a learner permit from another country?

No. Every Order covers full licences only and excludes permits issued to learn or drive provisionally.

My Australian licence is manual. Will my Irish one be?

Only if the Australian licensing authority confirms you passed your test in a manual vehicle. Otherwise you get automatic only.

Back to learning to drive in Ireland.

Sources

• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 527/2007, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) Order 2007”, as amended by S.I. No. 158/2023 (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 402/2010, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences, New Zealand and Taiwan) Order 2010” and S.I. No. 247/2023 (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences Orders for Ontario (S.I. No. 413/2014), Manitoba (S.I. No. 118/2015), Newfoundland and Labrador (S.I. No. 14/2016), British Columbia (S.I. No. 372/2017), Saskatchewan (S.I. No. 238/2019), Alberta (S.I. No. 74/2020) and New Brunswick (S.I. No. 615/2021) (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 683/2020, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (United Kingdom) Order 2020” (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 158/2023, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (Australia) Order 2023” (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 317/2024, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (Georgia) Order 2024” and “S.I. No. 172/2026, (Moldova) Order 2026” (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 434/2022, Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences Held by Relevant Persons) (Ukraine) Order 2022” (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 193/2025, Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2025” (irishstatutebook.ie)
• Road Safety Authority, “Rules of the Road”, Section 1 Renewing and exchanging a licence (Revision 5, hosted on garda.ie)