The driving Licence function was fully computerised in 2001, which has the effect of improving the quality of the service to our customers. This quality is further enhanced by the availability of the counter service. Cork Motor Taxation is one of the few Licensing Authorities to provide this service.

Your licence & vehicle

1ST Learner Permit- Applications must be accompanied by:

Original Application form (D201) with a residential address in Cork fully completed.
Birth Certificate or original passport. (Baptismal certificates are NOT acceptable)
If the name on the application form differs from that on birth certificate supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Eyesight report (Form D502) completed by either a doctor or optician. This report must have been completed no longer than a month prior to submission of the application.
Theory Certificate for relevant category
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Medical report (D501) if applicable - see below
Fee - € 15.

2ND Learner Permit- Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D201) with a residential address in Cork fully completed.
Last Learner Permit/provisional licence. If last learner permit/provisional licence is lost a D8A form signed and stamped at the applicant's local Garda station reporting the loss of the licence/permit. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
If the name on the current license application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Fee - € 15 Medical Report (D501) - If applicable

3RD OR Subsequent Learner Permit- Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D201) with a Cork address fully completed.
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving license supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Last Learner Permit/provisional licence. If last ;earner permit/provisional licence is lost a D8A form signed and stamped at the applicant's local Garda station reporting the loss of the licence/permit. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
Evidence of test taken in previous two years or letter from Road Safety Authority confirming that applicant has applied for a driving test.

Fee - € 15.

Note 1: A first time applicant who has never held a licence before can apply for categories M, A1, restricted A (A*), B and W, provided that he/she has reached the minimum age requirement for the categories in question and has requested such categories.

Class Description

M Moped as defined below - minimum age 16 years

A1 Motorcycle not exceeding 125c.c. as defined overleaf - minimum age of 16 years

A* Motorcycle as defined below - minimum age of 18 years

B Car - minimum age 17 years

W Work vehicle with or without trailer - minimum age 16 years

Note 2: An eyesight report must be completed within one month prior to submission of application.

1ST FULL LICENSE - Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D.401) with a residential address in Cork fully completed.
Original Certificate of Competency.
Last Learner Permit/provisional licence. If last ;earner permit/provisional licence is lost a D8A form signed and stamped at the applicant's local Garda station reporting the loss of the licence/permit. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Medical report (D501) if applicable.
Fee - € 25 for ten years or € 15 for three years.

RENEWAL OF FULL LICENCE - Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D401) with a residential address in Cork fully completed.
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
Last full licence. If lost a D8A form signed and stamped at the applicant's local Garda station reporting the loss of the licence/permit. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application
Medical Report if applicable - see note below
Fee - € 25 for ten years or € 15 for three years.

Note 1:

As a result of Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999, which came into effect on 15th November, 1999, all holders of full driving licences for categories C1 (large van/small truck), C (rigid truck), D1 (minibus), D (bus), EC1 (large van/small truck with trailer), EC (articulated truck), ED1 (minibus with trailer) or ED (bus with trailer) must now produce a Medical Report (completed by a doctor) to retain these categories on their licences. If you have previously submitted an unlimited medical report for these categories it is deemed to be valid for ten years from the date of issue.

If you wish to keep any of the above categories on your licence you must now submit a Medical Report (D501). However, if you no longer wish to have these categories on your licence you may complete a declaration similar to the one below. Your licence will then be issued for categories B (car), EB (car & trailer), W (tractor) and categories A1 and A (motorcycles) where applicable.

DECLARATION

I have been informed of new provisions relating to Categories ____________________ in the 1999 Driving Licence Regulations. I declare that I am not submitting a Medical Report to renew Categories _________________ on my Driving Licence.

Signature _____________________ Date ______________

The above regulation applies to those under 70 years of age who may surrender Categories other than A1, A, B, EB and W by signing the declaration. However, if a Medical Report is produced within 10 years of the date of expirey of last licence with the higher categories showing the higher categories will be restored.

Note 2:

When aged between 60 and 67 an applicant may apply for a licence up to his/her 70th birthday.
When aged between 67 and 69 a person may apply for a three-year licence.
An applicant who is aged 70 years or older must produce a Medical Report (D502) to renew his/her licence - there is no fee for this licence.

DUPLICATE DRIVING LICENCE - Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D800) fully completed by applicant and signed and stamped by the Gardaí. The applicant must have a residential address in Cork.
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Please note that when applying for a duplicate of a full licence or learner permit a form of photographic identification is required. Forms of identification which will be accepted for this purpose include Passport / Garda Age Card / Certificate of Registration / Work identification with photograph / Student identification with photograph. For applicants aged over 70, free travel pass or pension book will also be accepted.If the required identification is not produced, the licence will not be issued until the applicant's identification has been verified through our records, which may take a few days.
If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Fee - € 10.

EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENCE - Applications must be accompanied by:

Application form (D401) with a residential address in Cork & exchange form (D900) fully completed.
Licence from exchangeable country - see below
If licence is lost a D8A form stamped at the Garda station reporting the loss of the licence and letter of entitlement (to be submitted within 3 months of date of issue) from issuing authority of original licence. Photographic identification must also be submitted.
Passport - If licence being issued does not have photograph on it.
If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the driving licence being exchanged supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Medical report (D501) if applicable - see notes on Medical Reports
If applicant previously held an Irish driving licence please supply details, e.g., issuing authority, old address, etc.
Fee - € 25 for ten years or € 15 for three years.

Licences from the following countries are exchangeable:

AUSTRIA

BELGIUM

BULGARIA

CYPRUS (GREEK PART)

CZECH REPUBLIC

DENMARK

ESTONIA

FINLAND

FRANCE

AUSTRALIA

GERMANY

GIBRALTAR

GREECE

GUERNSEY

HUNGARY

ICELAND

ISLE OF MAN

ITALY

JAPAN*

JERSEY

LATVIA

LIECHTENSTEIN

LITHUANIA

LUXEMBOURG

MALTA

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

POLAND

PORTUGAL

TAIWAN

ROMANIA

SLOVAK REPUBLIC

SLOVENIA

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH KOREA*

SPAIN

SWEDEN

SWITZERLAND

UNITED KINGDOM

NEW ZEALAND

* Applications must be accompanied by an official translation (to be submitted within 3 months of date of issue).

A person holding a valid driving licence issued by a Member State of the E.U. or of the European Economic Area who is resident in Ireland may drive in Ireland until expiry of that licence which can then be exchanged.

MEDICAL REPORTS

A Medical Report (Form D.501) from a registered doctor is required if: -

Applicant will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being granted
Applicant suffers from any of the disabilities or diseases listed on page 2 of the application form
Applicant has ever suffered from alcoholism or epilepsy
Applicant is taking, on a regular basis, drugs or medicaments that would be likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by him/her to be a source of danger.
Application is for renewal of a Full Licence for any category other than M, A1, A, B, EB or W - if under 70 years of age.
Application is for a first learner permit for category C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED, unless you have previously provided a satisfactory medical report, which is still applicable.

NOTE: A medical report must be completed within one month prior to submission of application.

MOTORCYCLES

Any queries regarding engine power or power / weight ratio should be addressed to motorcycle dealer or manufacturer.

RULES REGARDING BEING ACCOMPANIED ON LEARNER PERMITS

Any learner permit holder (except for motorcyclists) must now be accompanied by a person who holds a full driving licence in the relevant category for a continuous period of two years.

Drivers with learner permits in categoires A, A1, B, EB, M and W cannot appy to do the driving test for at least 6 months from the date of issue of the first learner permit.

Drivers with a (provisional licence) learner permit for vehicles of category B, C1, C, D1, D, EB, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED, (Cars, Trucks, Buses and Articulated Vehicles) must be accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified person.

Categories of vehicles/Minimum age of driver

Motor vehicles in Ireland are divided into different categories for driver licensing purposes. This is a standard practice throughout the European Union. Ireland has 14 categories in total (for category details see the Categories Section on the Citizens Information website), ranging from motorcycles to agricultural vehicles.

*How Much Is a Driving Licence?

Full 10 year licence €25
Full 3 year licence €15
Full 1 year licence €5 (only available to persons under 70 years of age for medical reasons)
Learner Permit €15
Duplicate licence €10
No charge to persons over 70 years of age. However, duplicate licences for persons over 70 years of age cost €10

Cheques/Postal Orders/Bank Drafts to be made payable to Cork County Council

A Change Of Name On Current Licence

CHANGING TO MARRIED NAME
A Completed application form with a new specimen signature
Current driving licence(s)
copy of marriage certificate

REVERTING TO MAIDEN NAME
A completed application form with a new specimen signature
Current driving licence(s)
Copy of marriage certificate/divorce agreement

CHANGE BY DEED POLL
A completed application form with a new specimen signature
Current driving licence(s)
Original Deed Poll document

NO FEE IS REQUIRED

Adding Categories To a Full Licence After Passing a Test

Completed Free in Lieu form
Original Certificate of Competency for category passed
Current full licence
New medical report if required, e.g. none on file or current medical report does not cover applicant for the duration of their current licence

NO FEE IS REQUIRED

Putting Higher Categories Back On a Licence

NO FEE IS REQUIRED

Change Of Address

Completed free in lieu form giving details of new address
Current driving licence(s)

NO FEE IS REQUIRED

Completed medical report (Form D501) certifying applicant for the relevant category (must be dated within one month of application)
Completed Free in Lieu form
Current full licence
NOTE* Higher categories can only be put back on a licence within 10 years of when they were last on a valid licence

Bus Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence

Professional bus/coach drivers as and from 10 September must be the holder of a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). There are two ways to qualify for the CPC:-

A person holding a valid full licence in the bus licence category on or before 9 September 2008 is automatically entitled to the CPC (acquired rights).
A person who qualifies for a bus licence on or after 10 September 2008 must pass a CPC theory test and a CPC driving test as well as the existing theory test and driving test.

In both cases the person must then complete a training programme of 35 hours in the following five years in order to retain the CPC. This will consist of one day in each of the five years.

For Further Information