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Licensed Drivers

Apply for your permit or licence at an NDLS centre

How to apply in person and what documentation you need. 

You can apply for, renew, exchange and even replace your learner permit or driving licence in person at any of our NDLS centres. There's no walk-in service available so you must book an appointment in advance. 

Book an appointment now

Or telephone our booking line on 0818 919 090.

What documentation you need

Use our checklist below to make sure you have all of the necessary documentation ready before attending your appointment.

Your documentation checklist

FIRST LEARNER PERMIT
Have you passed a theory test in that category?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You can't apply for a learner permit unless you've passed a theory test in that category.

Book a theory test

You will need:

  • Official photo ID (e.g. a passport or Public Services Card)
  • A completed eyesight report.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address does not match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen).
  • A fee of €35.

FIRST DRIVING LICENCE
Have you passed a driving test in that category?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You can't apply for a driving licence unless you've passed a driving test in that category.

How to apply for a driving test

You will need:

  • Official photo ID (e.g. a passport or Public Services Card)
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen).
  • A fee of €55.

RENEW LEARNER PERMIT
Is this your third or subsequent learner permit?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.
Have you applied for a driving test?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You must apply for a driving test. Otherwise you won’t be able to renew your learner permit.

How to apply for a driving test

Is your permit due to expire within the next 3 months?

You can't renew a learner permit until it's due to expire within three months, so please apply closer to the time.

You will need:

  • Your old learner permit.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €35.

 

RENEW LICENCE
Is your licence due to expire within the next 3 months?

You can't renew a driving licence until it's due to expire within three months, so please apply closer to the time.

You will need:

  • Your existing driving licence.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €55.
REPLACE LP OR DL

You will need:

  • Official photo ID (e.g. a passport or Public Services Card)
  • A completed medical report, if your medical details have changed.
  • A completed Garda declaration form.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €35.

ADD CATEGORY TO LP
Have you passed a theory test in that category?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You can't apply for a learner permit unless you've passed a theory test in that category.

Book a theory test

You will need:

  • Your current learner permit.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €35.
ADD CATEGORY TO DL
Have you passed a driving test in that category?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You can't add a category to your driving licence unless you've passed a driving test in that vehicle category.

How to apply for a driving test

You will need:

  • Your current driving licence.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €55.
EXCHANGE FOREIGN LICENCE
Select a choice

A recognised state is a country that Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with.

See a list of recognised states

Please select either yes or no to proceed.
Was your licence issued by a recognised state?

You will need:

  • Your foreign licence.
  • A completed medical report, if applicable to you.
  • Proof of address dated within 6 months (only needed if your current address doesn't match the one on your Public Services Card).
  • Proof of normal residency (not needed if you hold a Public Services Card and/or are an EU/EEA citizen.
  • A fee of €55.

You will need:

Unfortunately, we can't exchange your licence. You can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months on your foreign licence but after that you will have to go through the steps to apply for an Irish licence.

View the steps to get an Irish licence

UPDATE DETAILS
Have you updated your name with Dept. of Social Protection?
Please select either yes or no to proceed.

You must update your name with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) before applying to change it on your driving licence.

Update your name now

Please select either yes or no to proceed.
Do you have proof of your new address?

What can I use as proof of address?

You must supply proof of your new address dated within 6 months to change the address on your licence.

What can I use as proof of address?

Please select either yes or no to proceed.
Have you a completed medical report form?

The medical report form must be completed by a doctor who is on the Register of Medical Practitioners and dated within one month of your application.

You must submit a completed medical report form to update your medical details.

Download a medical form now

You can go ahead and update your name. There’s no charge for this service. 

You can go ahead and update your address. There’s no charge for this service. 

You can go ahead and update your medical details. There’s no charge for this service. 

What to expect when you attend an NDLS centre