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Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................... 2
Driving licences ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Can I drive on my Ukrainian licence in Ireland? .......................................................... 4
1.2 What does ‘living in Ireland under temporary protection’ mean? ................................. 4
1.3 I am the holder of a Ukrainian driving licence but I’m not here under temporary protection.
Can I drive on this licence in Ireland? ................................................................................... 4
1.4 I’ve been living in Ireland prior to the war. Can I exchange my Ukrainian driving licence for an
Irish driving licence? ............................................................................................................. 4
1.5 I already exchanged my Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving licence. How do I get my
Ukrainian licence back? ........................................................................................................ 4
1.6 I applied to exchange my Ukrainian driving licence but have not yet received my Irish driving
licence. How do I get my Ukrainian licence back? ................................................................. 4
1.7 I’m in Ireland under temporary protection. Can I exchange my Ukrainian driving licence for an
Irish driving licence? ............................................................................................................. 5
1.8 I already exchanged my Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving licence. Can I keep the
Irish driving licence? ............................................................................................................. 5
1.9 I’ve lost my Ukrainian driving licence. Can I drive in Ireland? ..................................... 5
1.10 My Ukrainian driving licence has expired or is due to expire. Can I drive on it in Ireland? 5
1.11 I’m living in Ireland under temporary protection with a Ukrainian car licence: ............ 5
Professional bus/truck drivers ................................................................................ 6
1.12 I have an EU truck/bus licence and Driver CPC. Can I drive professionally in Ireland?6
1.13 Can I renew my EU licence and CPC qualification in Ireland? .................................... 6
1.14 I hold an EU licence and completed CPC training in an EU country. Will I get credit for this in
Ireland? ................................................................................................................................ 6
1.15 I hold an EU licence and CPC qualification, but don’t have proof. What should I do? . 6
1.16 I hold a Ukrainian licence and Ukrainian CPC qualification and have my documents. What
should I do? .......................................................................................................................... 7
1.17 I have my Ukrainian licence and Ukrainian CPC qualification, but do not have proof. What
should I do? .......................................................................................................................... 8
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Using your car in Ireland ........................................................................................ 10
1.18 Can I drive my Ukrainian-registered car in Ireland? .................................................. 10
1.19 Do I need to pay any vehicle tax when I enter Ireland? ............................................ 10
1.20 Can I register my Ukrainian car in Ireland? ............................................................... 10
1.21 Do I need insurance to drive in Ireland? ................................................................... 10
1.22 Can I insure my Ukrainian car in Ireland? ................................................................ 10
Vehicle safety .......................................................................................................... 11
1.23 Do I need to get my Ukrainian vehicle roadworthiness tested? ................................. 11
1.24 If I register my car in Ireland, do I have to get it roadworthiness tested?................... 11
1.25 I plan to buy a car in Ireland. Is there any advice available? ..................................... 11
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Driving licences
1.1 Can I drive on my Ukrainian licence in Ireland?
Yes. You can drive on your Ukrainian driving licence while in Ireland if under
temporary protection granted under section 60 of the International Protection Act
2015. You don’t need to exchange it for an Irish driving licence or sit a driving test.
1.2 What does ‘living in Ireland under temporary protection’ mean?
This means that you have a letter from the Minister for Justice confirming that you are
a beneficiary of Temporary Protection in Ireland granted under section 60 of the
International Protection Act 2015.
For more information please see the FAQs for Ukraine nationals and residents of
Ukraine on the Department of Justice website.
1.3 I am the holder of a Ukrainian driving licence but I’m not here under
temporary protection. Can I drive on this licence in Ireland?
No. You will need to go through the necessary steps to get a driving licence in the
vehicle category you wish to drive.
1.4 I’ve been living in Ireland prior to the war. Can I exchange my Ukrainian
driving licence for an Irish driving licence?
No. You will need to go through the necessary steps to get a driving licence in the
vehicle category you wish to drive.
1.5 I already exchanged my Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving
licence. How do I get my Ukrainian licence back?
You will need to:
• Return your Irish driving licence to: National Driver Licence Service, PO Box 858,
Southside Delivery Office, Cork.
• Enclose a written request in English stating that you are surrendering your Irish
licence in return for your Ukrainian driving licence
• Include your Irish postal address for the return of your Ukrainian licence and a
phone number, should we need to contact you.
1.6 I applied to exchange my Ukrainian driving licence but have not yet
received my Irish driving licence. How do I get my Ukrainian licence
back?
You will need to send an email in English to: [email protected] stating the
following:
• Your NDLS application number, if available
• Your name and date of birth
• Your request to cancel your application to exchange your Ukrainian driving licence
and the return of your Ukrainian driving licence.
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• Your Irish postal address for the return of your Ukrainian driving licence and a
telephone number, should we need to contact you.
1.7 I’m in Ireland under temporary protection. Can I exchange my Ukrainian
driving licence for an Irish driving licence?
No. Irish legislation no longer provides for the exchange of Ukrainian driving licences.
Ukrainian drivers living in Ireland under temporary protection can drive on their
Ukrainian driving licence as it is now recognised in Ireland.
1.8 I already exchanged my Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving
licence. Can I keep the Irish driving licence?
Yes. Your Irish driving licence is valid for one year from the date it was issued.
1.9 I’ve lost my Ukrainian driving licence. Can I drive in Ireland?
No. If you lost your Ukrainian driving licence you will need to go through the
necessary steps to get an Irish driving licence in the vehicle category you wish to
drive.
1.10 My Ukrainian driving licence has expired or is due to expire. Can I drive
on it in Ireland?
No. You can only drive on a current, valid Ukrainian driving licence in Ireland.
However, some Ukrainian driving licences have been extended so please check if this
applies to you.
1.11 I’m living in Ireland under temporary protection with a Ukrainian car
licence:
How do I apply for a truck or bus learner permit?
You can find information on our Ukraine Drivers page
I passed my truck/bus driving test. How do I apply for a full licence?
You can find information on our Ukrainian Drivers page
Do I need to submit my Ukrainian car licence when applying for my Irish
bus/truck licence?
Yes. However, your Ukrainian car licence will be posted back to you after your licence
application has been processed. For more information, please see our Ukraine
Drivers page
The information I am looking for is not provided in this leaflet. Where can I get
further information?
Further information is available on www.NDLS.ie or you can also email
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Professional bus/truck drivers
Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
1.12 I have an EU truck/bus licence and Driver CPC. Can I drive professionally in
Ireland?
If you previously exchanged your Ukrainian licence for an EU licence and hold
a CPC qualification, you can drive professionally in Ireland until the expiry date of your
licence or CPC card (whichever expires first). After that time, you are not allowed to
drive professionally.
1.13 Can I renew my EU licence and CPC qualification in Ireland?
• If you are resident in Ireland and hold an EU licence which you originally
exchanged from a Ukrainian licence, this can’t be renewed in Ireland.
• If you’re resident in Ireland and hold an original EU licence (obtained your
qualification within the EU) this licence can be renewed in Ireland. You can also
complete training here to renew your driver CPC qualification.
Information about renewing your licence is available at: www.rsa.ie/services/licensed-
drivers/driving-licence/manage-your-licence
More information on CPC training and qualification is available on:
www.rsa.ie/services/professional-drivers/cpc
1.14 I hold an EU licence and completed CPC training in an EU country. Will I get
credit for this in Ireland?
If you completed all CPC training in another EU country, you need to apply for a CPC
card from that country.
If you completed some training in an EU country, we will need to see evidence of this
and will review your documents. For more information please visit:
www.rsa.ie/services/professional-drivers/cpc/foreign-cpc-drivers
1.15 I hold an EU licence and CPC qualification, but don’t have proof. What should I
do?
If you don’t have a Driver CPC card or ‘Code 95’ on your licence, you must start the
CPC qualification process here in Ireland.
For more information please visit: www.rsa.ie/services/professional-drivers
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1.16 I hold a Ukrainian licence and Ukrainian CPC qualification and have my
documents. What should I do?
Ukrainian drivers living in Ireland on a temporary basis who hold a category C (truck)
or D (Bus) Ukrainian driving licence and a Ukrainian CPC card can apply for an Irish
Driver CPC card after completing Additional Compulsory Training.
This training is only available to Ukrainian drivers who are resident in Ireland on a
temporary basis under the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC).
Additional Compulsory Training consists of:
Driver CPC classroom-based training (CPC Periodic Training):
o 35 hours for vehicles of categories C, C1, CE, C1E (trucks), or
o 35 hours for vehicles of categories D, D1, DE, D1E (buses), or
o 42 hours for a combination of vehicles of categories C, C1, CE, C1E and D,
D1, DE, D1E.
Eight hours of supervised driving
This training must be completed with an RSA Approved Driving Instructor who is
qualified to instruct in the relevant licence category.
CPC truck or CPC bus or CPC bus/truck combined theory test.
On successful completion of the additional compulsory training, the driver can apply to
the Driver Education Section in the Road Safety Authority for their Driver CPC
qualification card. The temporary Driver CPC code 95.01 will be printed on the card,
and it will be valid until 6 March 2025.
You must submit the following documents to the Road Safety Authority:
• A copy of your valid Ukrainian driving licence,
• A copy of your valid Ukrainian Driver CPC qualification card,
• A copy of your temporary permission to reside in Ireland,
• A completed medical report form signed by a recognised medical practitioner
within the last three months
• A completed Ukrainian Driver CPC Additional Compulsory Training Application
Form
Completed forms and documents should be posted to:
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Driver Education Section,
Road Safety Authority,
Primrose Hill,
Ballina, Co. Mayo
F26 V6E4
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email and
can start the CPC Additional Compulsory Training process.
1.17 I have my Ukrainian licence and Ukrainian CPC qualification, but do not have
proof. What should I do?
Unfortunately, if you do not have proof of your Ukrainian licence and Ukrainian CPC
card you must start the CPC qualification process from the beginning in Ireland.
Obtain your category B licence
To begin the CPC qualification process, you must have a category B (car) driving
licence.
If you do not have proof of your Ukrainian category B licence, you will need to go
through the necessary steps to get a category B driving licence.
Theory test
You can choose to take the online truck or bus theory test by booking an appointment
to attend one of our 40+ theory test centres nationwide.
If you want to obtain a licence to drive both a truck and bus, you can take the
combined bus and truck theory test.
Case study test
If you want to become a category C (CPC truck) or category D (CPC bus) driver you
must pass a case study test.
You must have passed the Driver CPC theory test (Step 1) in the relevant category
before you can sit your case study test.
You have the option to sit it at home or at any of the 40+ theory test centre locations
nationwide.
Learner permit & professional driving lessons
You are not required to take truck or bus driving lessons to get a CPC driving licence.
However, to prepare for your practical driving test, it is recommended that all first-time
category C (truck), C1 (small truck), D (bus) or D1 (minibus) learner permit holders
take lessons with an RSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
Driving test
The practical driving test is conducted at one of the many driving test centres across
Ireland and takes about 100 minutes. It checks your knowledge of the Rules of the
Road, your ability to drive competently and safely in accordance with those rules and
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with regard for other road users and road conditions. It also examines whether you're
properly trained and ready to drive safely by yourself on public roads.
Walkaround test
The walkaround test checks your ability to keep your vehicle safe and secure and
takes about 30 minutes. It's made up of five topics from the driver CPC process, and
works as follows:
• you must score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area to pass
• you must have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100 to pass
After you have completed these five steps, you may apply for your driver CPC card
and begin driving professionally in Ireland.
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Using your car in Ireland
1.18 Can I drive my Ukrainian-registered car in Ireland?
Yes. However, there are certain vehicle importation rules you must follow, depending
on how long you stay in Ireland. For further advice or contact details please visit
www.revenue.ie
1.19 Do I need to pay any vehicle tax when I enter Ireland?
Ukrainians can apply for an exemption from this where a vehicle is temporarily
brought into Ireland, known as a ‘vehicle temporary exemption’. For further advice or
contact details please visit www.revenue.ie
If you decide in the future to register your car in Ireland (with Irish registration plates)
Revenue would also provide advice on your application.
1.20 Can I register my Ukrainian car in Ireland?
Yes, but it will need to pass a number of checks first. Further guidance is available on:
www.citizensinformation.ie under ‘Importing a vehicle into Ireland’ or in
www.revenue.ie.
1.21 Do I need insurance to drive in Ireland?
Yes, by law you must be insured to drive your vehicle when using it on Irish roads.
1.22 Can I insure my Ukrainian car in Ireland?
The Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine (UA) has prepared a list of
Ukrainian Insurance Providers that allows Ukrainian refugees to renew their insurance
policies online and to get an International Insurance Green Card. You can find more
information about this at www.mibi.ie
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Vehicle safety
1.23 Do I need to get my Ukrainian vehicle roadworthiness tested?
If your car has Ukrainian number plates you don’t have to get it tested. It only
becomes subject to testing when it is registered in Ireland.
However, by law you must always keep your vehicle in a safe and roadworthy
condition when used on Irish roads.
1.24 If I register my car in Ireland, do I have to get it roadworthiness tested?
Yes. Once you register your Ukrainian car in Ireland, it must be roadworthiness tested
i.e. it must undergo a National Car Test (NCT).
The test due date will be based on the date the car entered Ireland. Once your car
reaches four years old, it will need to be tested. Once your vehicle is four years old or
older, you must apply for a NCT right away.
Please contact the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) at 01 4135992 or book a test
online at www.ncts.ie
We offer helpful advice and tips about vehicle care on www.rsa.ie under ‘Car
maintenance’.
1.25 I plan to buy a car in Ireland. Is there any advice available?
We offer helpful advice and tips on www.rsa.ie under ‘Advice on buying a used car’.
