Written Answers - Driving Licences Thursday, 30 June 2011

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 737 No. 2 Page of 175

  208.  Deputy Alan Farrell      asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport      his plans regarding the format of the Irish drivers licence; his views on a smaller wallet size and card similar to that produced within other jurisdictions to replace the existing paper copy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18055/11]

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar):    Under EU law, this country is required to introduce a plastic card driving licence by January of 2013. In addition, introduction of a plastic card form of licence is a target of the current Road Safety Strategy, which runs to the end of 2012. I have asked the Road Safety Authority (RSA) - the agency charged with the plastic card licence project — to progress this project as quickly as possible.

The RSA have indicated that the new form of licence will be in place by the end of 2012. Discussions are still under way at EU level regarding the precise content of the chip to be included as part of the standard EU card format licence, but it is proposed to introduce the new licences in Ireland in advance of the conclusion of those discussions, if necessary.

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Last Updated: 08/03/2013 20:22:52

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