Where should I register and tax my car? 

You only need to register and tax your car where your main residence is (a student’s main residence is often their family home). For example, if you own a car in NI where your main residence is, and travel over and back to Ireland a lot to study, you only need to have your car registered and taxed in NI.  

Example: I live in Armagh (North) and study in Dublin (South) 

I stay in Dublin, in student accommodation four nights a week, returning home for weekends and holidays. Where do I register my car? 

Your main residence is in Armagh so you must tax and register your car there. 

If stopped by Irish Revenue and Customs, you may need to present evidence of your NI residence and status as a student in ROI so that they don’t think your car should be registered in ROI, which is not the case.
 

Where should I insure my car? 

Your car should be insured where your main residence is. 

If you’re a cross-border student, you need to check that your car insurance policy 

• includes cross-border journeys 
• that the number of cross-border journeys covered isn’t limited 
• that the level of coverage they provide across the border e.g., third party or fully comprehensive, is what you want, as this may differ from the coverage you have in your own jurisdiction. 

Can I get roadside assistance in the other jurisdiction? 

If your car is registered in NI and you are regularly driving it in ROI, you might want to check with your UK roadside assistance provider if they will cover a breakdown in ROI and vice versa.  

Can I drive in ROI on an NI provisional (learner) licence?

Foreign  learner permits (including UK provisional licenses granted in NI) cannot be used to drive in Ireland or be exchanged for an Irish learner permit. This means that you cannot drive on a learner license across the border into ROI. Source: Citizensinformation.ie

See also 

• Border People: Driving licences and insurance – cross border journeys 
• Border People: Motor Tax in Ireland 

Page last updated July 2023

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

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