The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is responsible for driver licensing in Northern Ireland. For general information please visit NI Direct – Driver Licensing

Visitors from GB and EEA

If you’re visiting NI and hold a Great Britain (GB) or a Community licence issued in a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) you can drive any vehicle if your licence is valid and it shows the suitable full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive.

All drivers must comply with Northern Ireland’s minimum age requirements. These are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 24 years for large lorries and buses.

Source:  NI Direct

Residents

Car and motorcycle driving licence holders (ordinary driving licence) can drive in NI as long as the licence is valid, or you can exchange the licence for a NI one to show your new details. For more information please visit – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/driving-ni-gb-or-eea-licence#toc-1

Exchanging your foreign driving licence

EU/ EEA, UK Group 1 licence still valid
If your EU/ EEA driving licence remains valid, you are not required to exchange it at this time. You may continue to drive until your licence expires. An EU/ EEA driving licence may be exchanged even if it has expired.

EU/EEA Group 2 licence still valid – driver under 65
If your EU/ EEA driving licence remains valid, you are not required to exchange it at this time. You may continue to drive until you reach the age of 66 years, or for a period of five years from the date you became resident in the United Kingdom, whichever is the earlier, if your licence remains valid. An EU/ EEA driving licence may be exchanged even if it has expired.

If you want or need to change your driving licence for a Northern Ireland driving licence, you must fill in the application form DL1 that is available from the main Post Office branches. For more information please visit- NI Direct Exchanging your foreign driving licence

Cross-border issues

• NI citizens driving in the EU
  If you hold an NI/ UK driving licence you will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the Republic of Ireland. You will, however, need to carry your NI/ UK driving licence.

Source: NI Direct  Travel and Transport EU Exit Information

• Southern learner drivers cannot drive in the North on an Irish provisional licence/learner’s permit.

See also:

o DVA Driver Licensing Division
o Border People – Penalty points in Ireland
oBorder People Cross-border Journeys

Page last checked: August 2022

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.

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.