Mayo Minister calls for fairer licence exchange process

Minister of State Alan Dillon has said further progress is needed within Government to address the driving licence exchange issue facing Irish emigrants returning home, particularly from the United States.

Minister Dillon said many returning Irish citizens are fully licensed and experienced drivers abroad but still face delays and red tape before they can legally drive in Ireland.

“Irish emigrants who are returning home need a swift and frictionless exchange process. “People who have driven safely for years abroad should not be left waiting months to drive when they come back to Ireland.”

Minister Dillon recently met Mayo native and long-time campaigner Ciaran Staunton in Dublin to discuss the issue. Members of the Irish US Drivers Licence Exchange Committee also met Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney to outline practical proposals. These include restoring expired Irish licences for returning citizens who hold a current foreign licence, with appropriate road safety checks - such as a theory test where required.

Minister Dillon said the issue now needs to be progressed with greater urgency across Government, the Department of Transport and the RSA.

“The current system is not working well enough for many returning emigrants. My focus is on progressing a practical solution within Government that is fair, safe and common sense.”

He said Ireland should be doing more to support emigrants who want to return home, work, raise families and contribute to their local communities.

“We actively encourage our diaspora to come home, but we must also remove avoidable barriers that make that move harder. I will continue to press this issue and work with colleagues in Government to deliver a solution that supports families while protecting road safety.”