Ireland does not currently recognize driver's licenses issued in the US.RollingNews.ie
A committee comprising representatives from both Ireland and the US has written to Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin regarding the need for the establishment of driver’s license reciprocity agreements between Ireland and some US states.
As it stands in Ireland, a driver can exchange their driving license issued by certain 'recognized states' for an Irish driving license. The US is not among the recognized states.
Ireland also requires proof of normal Irish residency - at least 185 days per year - to renew Irish driver's licenses. With Irish driver's licenses carrying a maximum ten-year term, many Irish emigrants are eventually prevented from renewing their licenses after moving abroad.
As such, Americans moving to Ireland and Irish emigrants returning to Ireland must go through the full Irish driver licensing procedure to get an Irish driver's license - even if they have a US driver's license and or despite having been previously licensed in Ireland. In these instances, however, only six essential driver training (EDT) lessons are required instead of the usual 12 lessons.
(This procedure does not apply to US tourists - US citizens are permitted to drive in Ireland for the duration of a visit up to 12 months, but after that period would have to apply for an Irish license.)
Now, a committee of prominent Irish and Americans is calling for the establishment of driver’s license reciprocity agreements between Ireland and the US states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, New York, and Illinois.
Among others, the committee includes Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for Irish Abroad winner Ciaran Staunton, former President of the GAA Larry McCarthy, founder of IrishCentral Niall O'Dowd, and President of the Ancient Order of Hiberninans Sean Pender.
“This proposal seeks to build on the existing framework of Ireland’s reciprocity agreements with other countries, including certain provinces in Canada," the committee says in its letter to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
"Currently, the US has multiple states with established driver’s license exchange agreements with countries like Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
"For example, Massachusetts maintains agreements with Korea, Germany, France, and Taiwan, while Pennsylvania has agreements with Germany and France.
"We believe that a similar agreement between Ireland and the aforementioned US states would be mutually beneficial for both Ireland and the United States."
The group asserts that such an arrangement would facilitate seamless transitions for returning citizens, boost business and investment opportunities, and address labor shortages in key industries, particularly construction and commercial driving.
"We believe that with the support and cooperation of the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Foreign Affairs, we can develop a comprehensive reciprocity agreement that benefits both our nations," the letter states.
The issue of Irish-American driver’s license reciprocity is not a new one.
The committee noted in a statement how the matter was considered in the 2018 "Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants," which was presented to Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs.
"In terms of Irish emigrants, the most important country outside of the EU is the United States and the absence of a bilateral agreement with the US is a major issue," the 2018 report said regarding driver's license exchanges.
The report went on to recommend waiving EDT courses for drivers with previous Irish driving experience and with current overseas licenses; expanding bilateral driver license exchange programme; and improving procedures to facilitate the of driving licenses for Irish emigrants temporarily abroad.
Earlier, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told IrishCentral in 2017 that the issue had "come to his attention in various ways."
However, he stated at the time that because of the huge disparity in driving tests in the US - licenses are issued on a state-by-state basis in the US - he didn't want somebody driving in Ireland who has passed a driving test “nowhere near the standard of the Irish driving test."