Driving Licences:Application & Renewal
DRIVING LICENCES
Applications for driving licences may be submitted by post to Driver Licences Section, Mayo Motor Tax, Glenpark, Castlebar,Co. Mayo or may be submitted at the public counter in Castlebar, Ballina or Belmullet during opening hours - a receipt will be given if the application is submitted in person.
The only circumstances in which applications are dealt with other than in date order is where the Driving Licence is required urgently, e.g. for your driving test or travel abroad - in these cases, written proof is required in the form of the test letter or travel arrangements.
If your Licence is lost, destroyed or stolen, you can apply for a replacement - please see the section on Duplicate Licences for more details.
If your circumstances change, e.g. change of address, change of name on marriage, etc., and you want to update your licence, you can apply for an updated licence free of charge - please see the section on Free in Lieu Licences for more detail.
Licence Categories
Motor vehicles in Ireland are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes – there are 14 categories in total, ranging from motorcycles to agricultural vehicles. Each category of vehicle has a prescribed minimum age for the driver. Whether you have a full driving licence or a learner permit, you are only entitled to drive the category of vehicle for which the licence or permit has been issued.
Category |
Minimum Age |
Vehicle |
A1 |
16 |
Motorcycles with an engine size of 51-125cc and/or a speed capability of over 45km/h, and with a power rating not exceeding 11 kW, and with or without sidecar |
A |
18 |
Motorcycles with or without sidecar |
B |
17 |
Vehicles with passenger accommodation for not more than 8 persons and with a design g.v.w. not exceeding 3,500 kg |
C1 * |
18 |
Vehicles with passenger accommodation for not more than 8 persons with a design g.v.w. over 3,500 kg but not over 7,500 kg |
C * |
18 |
Vehicles with passenger accommodation for not more than 8 persons and with a design g.v.w. over 3,500kg |
D1 * |
21 |
Vehicles with passenger accommodation for more than 8 persons but not more than 16 persons |
D* |
21 |
Vehicles with passenger accommodation for more than 8 persons |
EB |
17 |
Vehicles in category B with a trailer attached |
EC1 * |
18 |
Vehicles in category C 1 with a trailer attached - the combination must not exceed 12,000 kg |
EC * |
18 |
Vehicles in category C 1 with a trailer attached |
ED1 * |
21 |
Vehicles in category DI with a trailer attached - the combination must not exceed 12,000 kg |
ED * |
21 |
Vehicles in category D with a trailer attached |
M |
16 |
Two-wheeled vehicles with an engine size not exceeding 50 cc and/or a speed capability not more than 45 km/h |
W |
16 |
Work vehicles and land tractors, with or without a trailer attached |
* refers to Higher Category of Vehicle
To apply for a Full Driving Licence
When you pass a driving test in Ireland you are entitled to apply for a full driving licence for the category of vehicle which you were tested for. Remember your pass statement is only valid for 2 years so apply for your full licence as soon as possible. You are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving.
Notes:
This Applications Form is not available on-line as it contains adhesive elements which are needed to process the application. It is available in hard copy from County Council Offices, Garda Stations and Libraries, or you may request a licence application form to be sent to you by post.
Applications are processed in the date order they are received. Your application may take a number of weeks to process depending on the number of applications on hand at any given time.
While a renewal notice issues from the Department of Transport a number of weeks before your Licence expires, please note that you can submit your application for renewal up to 4 months prior to the expiry date of your licence.
To apply for a Full Driving licence:
- Completed Application Form (D401).
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Last Licence (if this is not available you will need to submit a lost licence declaration form stamped at the Garda Station and submit your original passport).
- The Appropriate Fee of €5 for a one year of €15 for a three year licence or €25.00 for a 10 year licence. Over 70's licence is free.
- Certificate of Competency if converting from a Learner Permit to a Full licence.
- Medical report for :
a) categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1, ED (regardless of age).
b) any applicant aged 70 years and over. - c) you suffer from any of the disabilities or diseases listed on the application form.
- d)you have ever suffered from alcoholism or epilepsy or you are taking, on a regular basis drugs or medicaments which would be likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by you to be a source of danger.
Please Note :
Driving licence application forms which are downloaded from the Internet are not acceptable when applying for your licence. An application form must be obtained from your local Motor Tax office or your local Garda Station. This is due to the applicant having to sign a label which is then affixed to the new driver licence.
To apply to renew your Full Licence, you will need:
- Completed Application form D401.
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on back by applicant)
- Current or most recent licence, if lost Declaration of Loss Form D800 to be completed and original passport must be submitted.
- Medical Report (D501) if applicable (as above)
- The Appropriate Fee of €5 for a one year, €15 for a three year licence or €25.00 for a 10 year licence. Over 70's licence is free.
To apply for a 1st Learner Permit :
It is a statutory requirement that you must hold at least a learner driving permit (previously known as a provisional licence) for the appropriate category of vehicle if you want to drive in a public place in Ireland. You are required to carry your learner permit with you at all times when driving.
- Completed Application Form (D201).
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Fee €15.00
- Theory Test Certificate.
- Orginal state Birth Certificate or original Passport
- Marriage Certificate (if appropriate).
- A medical report for classes C, C1, D, D1, EC, EC1, ED and ED1. (or for reasons as outlined above)
- An eyesight report for classes A, A1, B, EB and W - eyesight report valid for one month from date of issue.
An Eyesight Report Form D502 is required when applying for your first Learner Permit for categories A, A1, B, EB and W and is valid for one month from date of issue.
Applicants are not required to submit further Eyesight Report Forms with each subsequent learner permit or full driving licence application, unless they want to change the details on their licence regarding the need to wear corrective lenses for driving purposes, e.g. if they recently had laser or corrective surgery, they need to submit a new Eyesight Report Form stating they no longer need to wear corrective lenses for driving purposes.
To apply for a Second Learner Permit you will need :
- Application Form.
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Old Licence/Last Licence (if previous licence is unavailable, a lost licence declaration stamped at the Garda Station is required and orginal passport)
- Fee of €15.
To apply for a 3rd or Subsequent Learner Permit you will need:
- Application Form.
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Failure Cert (valid for two years only).
- Old Licence (If licence is lost - loss of licence form to be stamped by gardai and original passport).
- Appropriate Fee - €15.00
If you have not sat test in the last two years you must submit :
Letter or Receipt from Driving Test Section Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo (096) 78289 or LoCall 1890 406 040 that you have applied to do driving test in that category..
In this case a 1 year licence will only be granted.
International Driving Licences
An international driving permit is a special driving licence that allows motorists to drive vehicles in other countries without further tests or applications. If you have an international driving permit, this proves that you have a valid driving permit issued by a competent authority in your home country. If you are travelling abroad and wish to drive in another country, you will very likely require an international driving permit.
International driving permits issued in Ireland are only available to Irish residents with a current full driving licence.
To apply for an International Driving Permit, you should contact:
Automobile Association, 56 Drury Street, Dublin, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 6179540
Fax: +353 (0)1 6174942
Homepage: http://www.aaireland.ie
Email: aatravel@aaireland.ie
Exchange of Driving 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
- Full licence from other country (see list of exchange countries below).
- Full licence application form.
- Exchange of Drivers Licence form. (D900)
- Medical report (D501) if applicable
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Appropriate fee ten years - €25.00, 3 year -€15.00 over 70's issued free.
- Original Passport if required.
RECOGNISED EXCHANGE COUNTRIES
EU/EEA STATES |
OTHER RECOGNISED COUNTRIES /STATES |
|
|
Austria |
Australia |
Belgium |
Gibraltar |
Bulgaria |
Guernsey |
Czech Republic |
Iceland |
Cyprus |
Isle of Man |
Denmark |
Japan |
Estonia |
Jersey |
Finland |
Liechtenstein |
France |
Norway |
Germany |
South Africa |
Hungary |
South Korea |
Iceland |
Switzerland |
Italy |
Taiwan |
| Latvia |
New Zealand |
| Liechenstein |
|
| Lithuania |
|
| Luxembourg |
|
| Malta |
|
| Netherlands |
|
| Norway |
|
| Poland |
|
| Portugal |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
| Romania |
|
| Slovakia |
|
| Slovenia |
|
| Spain |
|
| Sweden |
Duplicate Licence :
If your Driving Licence or Learner Permit has been lost, destroyed or stolen, you can apply for a replacement. The replacement licence or permit is a duplicate or exact copy of your original driving licence.
- Fee of €10
- Application Form (D800) which must be signed, dated and stamped at your local Garda Station
- 2 recent identical passport type photographs (signed on the back)
- Current Valid Passport or
- National Identity Card for one of the following countries Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
If you do not hold a current passport or National Identity card for one of the above Countries you must submit a “Certificate of Identity”. The Certificate of Identity must be completed and signed by you in your local Garda Station. The member of An Garda Siochana who signs the certificate must be satisfied as to your identity before he/she completes the Garda section of the form.
Free-in-lieu licences are issued in the following cases :
While you are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving, you are not required by law to change your Permit or Licence if you change your name or address. However, it is advisable as you are required to show evidence of your licence if requested by An Garda Siochana, therefore, your licence should contain up-to-date information.
Free-in-lieu licences are issued in the following cases
- Extra category added.
- Change of name/address ie due to marriage.
- Removal of endorsement .
- If an error has been made in the issue of licence (e.g. incorrect date of birth).
In the case of 1, 2, and 3 above, please note that you will need to submit all documentation (except the fee) required for your licence type – please refer to the Sections on Learner Permit & Full Licence for a full listing of the documentation
Motor Tax Section
Google Map to Motor Tax Section (external link; opens new window)
Glenpark
The Mall
Castlebar
Phone: (094)90 47600
Email: Motortax@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: Castlebar - 9:30am-3pm, Mon-Fri, open through lunch.
Note: Ballina and Belmullet Motor Tax are open 9:30am-12:45pm and 2pm-3pm, Mon-Fri