How to renew your driving licence (2023)

Introduction

You can renewyour driver licence online if you have a PublicServices Card and a MyGovID verified account -see 'How to apply’ below. Alternatively you can visit an NDLS centre to renewyour licence. You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. If yourlicence is lost, stolen or damaged, you can find out about replacing alost, stolen or damaged driving licence.

To apply for a driving licence, you must be normally resident in Ireland.You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if, because of personaland occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in eachcalendar year.

The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for driver licensing and theNational Driver Licence Service (NDLS) manages licence applications andrenewals. You can renew your driver licence online if you have a PublicServices Card and a MyGovID verified account -see 'How to apply’ below. Alternatively you can visit an NDLS centre to renewyour licence.

Rules

You can apply to renew your driving licence if:

• You hold a driving licence that will expire within 3 months
• You held a driving licence that expired less than 10 years ago

If your driving licence expired 10 years ago or more, you must complete a Driver TheoryTest and then apply for a learner driver permit.

Duration of licence

Your age and medical fitness will determine the duration of licence whichcan be issued.

*A one or three year licence may be issued where, for medical reasons, alonger licence term cannot be granted.

The age in question is your age on the date of application.

Rates

If you are aged 70 or over, you can renew your driving licence for free andapply by post.

Any required eyesight tests or medical examinations are notfree of charge.

How to apply

Online applications

You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account.You also need to have:

• Proof of your address dated within the last 6 months if your address is different to the one you provided when you got your Public Services Card
• Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen
• A medical report form if required
• Application fee of €55 (unless you are 70 or over)

Applying in person

If you cannot renew your licence online, you will have to apply to an NDLS centre in person. Youmust book an appointmentto attend an NDLS centre. You do not have to provide photographs with yourapplication, as your photo and signature will be digitally recorded.

You are no longer required to submit an application form. See guidance noteson applyingfor a Driving Licence and Applyingfor a Learner Permit on ndls.ie.

You must bring the following documentation with you when renewing yourdriving licence:

• Your current or most recent driving licence. If your licence has been lost, stolen or damaged you must also bring valid photo ID with you.
• Proof of your PPS number
• The appropriate fee - see ‘Rates’ above
• Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if you are not an EU or EEA citizen
• Proof of address, dated within the last 6 months is required if your current address is not recorded on your lost, stolen or damaged permit and it differs from the one provide by the Department of Social Protection if and when you applied for a Public Services Card
• A Driving Licence Medical Report Form, if required (see below)
• A Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form, if required (see below)

Medical report form

You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories C, C1, D, D1, CE, C1E, DE or D1E (buses and trucks),unless you previously provided a medical report which is still applicable.

You will need a Driving Licence Medical Report Form if you are applying fordriving licence categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE or W (motorcycles, cars andwork vehicles) if you have a specific disability or condition (see applicationform).

If you are aged 75 or over, you will need a certification of fitness todrive from your doctor to apply for a 3-year or a one-year licence. You canread the medicalfitness to drive guidelines (pdf).

You can downloadthe medical report form (pdf) (it must be printed back to back on onepage). A registered medical practitioner should carry out your medicalexamination and then complete the form. You must sign the declaration on themedical report form in the presence of the registered medical practitioner. Itmust be submitted within 1 month of the medical examination.

Eyesight report form

Generally any eyesight issues will be reported in the Driving LicenceMedical Report Form. However, you will require a Driving Licence EyesightReport Form if you no longer need glasses or contact lenses to drive (forexample, if you've had laser eye surgery). You can downloadthe eyesight report form (pdf) (pages 1 and 2 should be printed back toback on one page). It is also available from NDLS centres. It must be submittedwithin 1 month of completion.

Medical fitness guidelines and health information leaflets

You can get medicalfitness guidelines and, forms on the NDLS website. There are also healthand driving information leaflets. The leaflets have information to helpdrivers with medical and other conditions.

Where to apply

You can apply to renew your driving licenceonline if you have a PublicServices Card (PSC) and a MyGovID verified account,see ‘Online applications’ above. Alternatively you can apply in person toone of the National DriverLicence Service (NDLS) centres- see ‘Applying in person’ above. Youmust book an appointmentonline. There is no walk-in-service.

The National Driver Licence Service provides informationon renewing a driving licence on its website.