Moving to Ireland and planning to drive? If you already hold a licence from another country, you may need to exchange your foreign driving licence in Ireland or complete reduced training before you can get on the road.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
Driving instructors in Dublin often work with learners from Brazil, India, and other countries outside the EU/EEA.
Glen, Flexidrive’s Head of Instructor Relations, explains:
“We see a high volume of Brazilian and Indian licence holders, but really it can be from anywhere. Some adapt very quickly, others need more support — especially with driving on the opposite side of the road and adjusting to Irish driving behaviour.”
The process depends on the country you’re coming from. In most cases, you’ll need to:
To qualify for Reduced EDT, you must:
Reduced EDT means completing 6 mandatory lessons instead of 12. Learn more here: Reduced EDT.
But Glen warns against assuming six lessons will be enough:
“Just because you do six hours doesn’t mean you’ll be test-ready. For some, that’s fine. But others, especially if their original test wasn’t very strict, may need more lessons to get up to the Irish standard.”
One of the biggest challenges is obtaining the letter of authentication from the original licensing authority.
“It can take weeks to get the letter back, depending on the country,” Glen explains. “Even though Reduced EDT exempts you from the six-month waiting rule, paperwork delays can actually take that long anyway.”
Many international drivers are surprised by how respectful Irish drivers are compared to their home country.
“I’ve had a lot of learners tell me how calm and respectful Irish drivers are. They often find the roads here much more relaxed than back home,” says Glen.
Some of the most common hurdles include:
Glen notes:
“Spatial awareness is a big one. If you’ve always sat on the left-hand side of the car, it feels different on the right. You have to retrain your awareness, and that takes time.”
The key is reminding drivers that their past experience still counts.
“You already know how to drive,” Glen reassures learners. “It’s not about starting from scratch. It’s about adapting those skills to a new environment.”
Practical strategies include:
For more support, check out our Student Onboarding guide.
Q: Do all foreign drivers qualify for Reduced EDT?
A: No. It depends on your country of origin and RSA approval.
Q: How many lessons will I need?
A: Reduced EDT is six lessons, but Glen advises most learners to plan for extra practice.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: It varies, but delays with paperwork from your home country can add weeks.
Q: Do I need to resit my test in Ireland?
A: In most cases, yes. This ensures you meet Irish road safety and driving standards.
Find more answers in our FAQ section.
Exchanging your licence and learning to drive in Ireland can feel daunting, but with the right preparation it’s achievable. From handling paperwork to retraining your driving habits, the process ensures you’re fully ready to drive safely and confidently.
👉 Ready to begin? Learn more about Reduced EDT, explore our Student Onboarding process, or visit our FAQ page for everything you need to know about exchanging a foreign driving licence in Ireland.