Exchange of Foreign Licence

It is possible to exchange a full driving licence issued by an EU member state or certain other recognised states for an Irish driving licence. All recognised licences presented for exchange purposes must either be current, or

a) in the case of licences issued by a member state of the EU or EEA, have expired within the 10 year period preceding the date of licence exchange application, or,

b) in the case of licences issued by a "recognised State" other than a member state of the EU or EEA, have expired within the 12 month period preceding the date of licence exchange application

Driving Licence Exchange Countries

Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Isle of Man
Japan
Jersey
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway

Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Guernsey
Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
Capital Territory
South Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Queensland

To apply to exchange a foreign driving licence, you will need:

Valid Full Driving licence from country of exchange
Application Form D401 fully completed (click here to request a form)
Exchange of Driving Licence Form D900
Medical Report Form D501 if applicable (see below)
Photo ID
Two recent identical passport type photographs (signed on back by applicant)
Appropriate Fee

You can submit your completed application:

by post to Driving Licences Section, Galway County Council, Prospect Hill, Galway, OR
in person at our public counter (check our opening hours) where you will receive proof of receipt

You can pay the application fee:

postal applications - bank draft, cheque or Postal Order (made payable to Galway County Council)
counter applications - by any of the above or in cash if calling to our offices

A Medical Report (Form D501) is required when applying for a provisional or full licence in the following cases and is valid for 1 month from date of issue:

For the higher categories C, C1, D, D1, EC, EC1, ED and ED1
Where the applicant is 70 years of age or more.
Where the applicant suffers from any of the disabilities or diseases listed on the licence application form
Where the applicant has ever suffered from alcoholism or epilepsy
Where the applicant is taking, on a regular basis, drugs or medicaments that would be likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by that person to be a source of danger.