Cost to replace licence/learner permit
The fee to replace a lost driving licence is:
- 1 year licence - €5
- 3 year licence - €15
- 10 year licence - €25
- Licence up to age 70 (not more than 10 year) - €25
- Licence after age 70 - No charge
- Duplicate licence (if original is lost or destroyed) - €10
How long does your full licence last?
The deciding age on your licence is the age on the first day of the period for which the licence is granted.
Rules for duration of licence:
- If you are under 60, you can apply for a 10 year or 3 year licence
- If you are between 60 and 67, you can apply for a licence that will expire when you're 70 or for a 3 year licence
- If you are between 67 and 70, you can apply for a 3 year licence
- If you are over 70, you can apply for a 3 year or 1 year licence. You will need a medical report from your doctor.
- A 1-year licence may be granted in exceptional circumstances where, for medical reasons, a longer licence term cannot be granted
Lost/stolen licences,learner permits and licence exchange
If you licence/learner permit is out of date and has been lost or stolen, you must
- complete a Lost Licence Declaration form (D8a) at your local Garda station.
- Then send it to the Motor Taxation Office with your Driving Licence Application form (D401)
Duplicate Licence/Learner Permit
If your licence/learner permit is current but has been lost or stolen you may apply to your Motor Taxation Office for a duplicate by completing the relevant form (D 800). A duplicate licence is issued to replace a valid licence that has been lost, stolen, destroyed or defaced. The duplicate will be a copy of the original licence/permit, including any endorsements, and will be valid for the same period. Your application should include:
- Application form D 800 signed and stamped at your local Garda station
- Two passport photographs (signed on reverse)
- €10 fee
Free-in-lieu licence
Free-in-lieu licences are issued (provided your driving licence is current) in the following cases:
- Change of name/address
- Removal of endorsement (on expiry of three-year endorsement period)
- If an error has been made in the issue of the licence (eg, incorrect date of birth)
- Additional category is being added
In all cases you must apply to your local Motor Taxation Office with a completed application form, two passport photographs (signed on reverse) and any supporting documentation, eg marriage certificate.
If an additional category is being added to your licence, you must also enclose the required certificate of competency and medical report (where relevant).
Exchange of driving licence
When coming to live in Ireland, the holder of a valid driving licence from the EU or the EEA may drive on that licence as long as it is in date. They must then apply to exchange their driving licence for an Irish one. They can also apply to exchange their licence for an Irish one at any time within ten years of the expiry of the licence.
The holder of a valid driving licence issued by a 'recognized state' can drive on that licence for one year after taking up residence or the expiry date of the licence, whichever is sooner.
The following countries are seen as ‘recognised states’ for the purposes of driving licence exchange:
- Australia
- Gibraltar
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
Application for exchange to an equivalent Irish licence must be made no later than one year of expiry of the licence.
All applicants for exchange must complete an Exchange of Driving Licence form (D 900) and an Application for Driving Licence form (D 401), available from your local library, Garda station or Motor Tax Office (PDF).