8. Driving licence
When you pass the practical driving test you are issued with a certificate of competency. When you pass the walkaround test you are issued with a copy of the tester's marking sheet with your score. The certificate and marking sheet do not entitle you to drive as a full CPC licence holder. You must abide by the rules of your learner permit until you are issued with a full driving licence.
You must apply for your driving licence within two years of receipt of your certificate of competency and walkaround test score. If you don't apply for your licence within this time your certificate of competency and walkaround test score will no longer be valid and you will have to pay for and sit both the driving test and walkaround test again.
You can apply for a driving licence online at NDLS.ie with a Public Services Card and verified MyGovID or in person at your local National Driver Licence Service centre.
Only once you are in possession of a full valid driving licence are you legally allowed to drive while unaccompanied.
Watch the Licence application using NDLS Online videoApply for your driving licence within two years
You must apply for your driving licence within two years of receipt of your certificate of competency and walkaround test score. If you don't apply for your licence within this time your certificate of competency and walkaround test score will no longer be valid and you will have to pay for and sit both the driving test and walkaround test again.
Driving licence fees
The fee for a new five-year CPC licence is €55.00. The application fee to add a new category to an existing driving licence is €35.00. Other licence durations and fees may apply to you. You can pay by these methods.
Location of NDLS centres
There are 36 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres nationwide.
How to apply for your driving licence
Apply online with MyGovID
You can now quickly and easily apply for your driving licence online. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to ndls.ie
To apply for a driving licence online you will need the following:
- to have passed the category C driving test
- a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
- proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one you provided when you applied for your PSC
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, and an eyesight report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €55.00. Other licence durations and fees may apply to you. You can pay by credit or debit card
Apply in person at any NDLS centre
To apply for your driving licence in person you will need the following:
- a completed and signed driving licence application form
- your certificate of competency
- your existing driving licence
- your current or most recent learner permit. If your permit has been lost or stolen, you must also bring valid photo ID with you
- proof of your address dated within the last six months
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, and an eyesight report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €55.00. Other licence durations and fees may apply to you. You
can pay by these methods.
Book an appointment online to attend an NDLS centre
Due to social distancing requirements, a walk-in service is no longer available. You will need to book an appointment online to attend any of the 36 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres in person. We ask that you familiarise yourself with the Covid-19 safety measures for NDLS centres before your visit and please ensure that you have the required forms and ID prepared in advance to minimise any possible delays on the day.
The National Driver Licensing Service is currently only accepting debit or credit card payments and GooglePay or Apple Pay.
Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
Frequently asked questions
You can apply to renew your driving licence up to three months before your current driving licence expires.
You can now quickly and easily renew your driving licence online. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to NDLS.ie
To renew your driving licence online you will need the following:
- a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
- proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one you provided when you applied for your PSC
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €55.00. Other licence durations and fees may apply to you. You can pay by credit or debit card.
You can apply to renew your driving licence up to three months before your current driving licence expires.
To renew your driving licence in person at an NDLS centre you will need the following:
- a completed and signed learner permit application form
- Your current or most recent driving licence. If your licence has been lost or stolen, you must also bring valid photo ID with you
- proof of your address dated within the last six months
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €55.00. You can only pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher.
Book an appointment online to attend NDLS centre
Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
You can apply in person at any of the 34 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres nationwide.
You can now quickly and easily renew and replace your driving licence online. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to NDLS.ie
If you have to replace a lost, stolen or damaged driving licence, you will need the following:
- a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
- a completed Garda declaration form
- proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one on your lost, stolen or damaged licence, or the one you provided when you applied for your PSC
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €35.00. Other licence durations and fees may apply to you. You can pay by credit or debit card.
If you have to replace a lost or stolen driving licence, you will need the following:
- valid photo ID
- a completed Garda declaration form
- proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one on your lost, stolen or damaged licence, or the one you provided when you applied for your PSC
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €35.00. You can only pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher.
Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
You can apply in person at any of the 34 National Driver Licence Service (centres) nationwide.
You can now quickly and easily manage your driving licence online. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID for safe, secure access to NDLS.ie
To add another category to your driving licence online you will need the following:
- a Public Services Card (PSC) and verified MyGovID
- to have passed the driving test within the last two years in the category which you want added to your driving licence
- proof of your address dated within the last six months is required if your current address is not recorded on your permit and it differs from that provided when you applied for your PSC
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €35.00. Other permit durations and fees may apply to you. You can pay by credit or debit card.
To add another category to your driving licence in person you will need the following:
- your current or most recent driving licence. If your driving licence has been lost or stolen, you must also bring valid photo ID and a completed Garda declaration form with you
- to have passed the driving test within the last two years in the category which you want added to your driving licence
- proof of your address dated within the last six months is required if your current address is not recorded on your permit and it differs from that provided when you applied for your PSC
- proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA
- your completed and signed medical report form dated within the last three months, if applicable to you
- your application fee of €35.00. You can only pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher.
Book an appointment online to attend NDLS centre
Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
You can apply in person at any of the 34 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres nationwide.