Mayo councillor wants US-Ireland agreement on driving licences

AMERICAN citizens coming to live in Ireland should be able to exchange their driving licences for an Irish licence.

Councillor Gerry Coyle has tabled a notice of motion requesting that this be implemented.

His motion called on Mayo County Council to write to the Department of Transport to request that they introduce a bilateral agreement between the USA and Ireland, whereby returning Irish emigrants and American citizens choosing to relocate in Ireland would have their American driving licences exchanged for an Irish driving licence.

This would mean that they would not be required to undertake a theory test, driving lessons, or a driving test to drive here.

Councillor Coyle said that when emigrants return home they find they are 'strangers in their own land', trying to arrange PPS numbers, theory tests, or arranging utilities bills to set up bank accounts.

They needed support, he said, instead of being left in the dark with obstacles put in their way.