Driver Numbers Q&A

What’s changing?
The Government has changed the law about the information you need to provide
when you buy or renew a motor insurance policy. From 31st March 2025, to secure
insurance cover, you will need to provide your insurer or broker with your driver
number and the driver number of anyone named on your policy. You will be legally
obliged to provide this information and it will be an offence for the insurer or broker to
sell you a policy without it.

Why is this happening?
It’s all to do with a system called the Irish Motor Insurance Database, which supports
the Gardaí in their efforts to detect uninsured drivers. The database contains the
records of 3 million vehicles and 5 million drivers and is updated daily. The Gardaí
use an app in real time on the roads to scan registration plates. The app checks the
information against the database allowing the Gardaí to identify uninsured drivers.
The system has already been very successful and will be strengthened by the
inclusion of driver numbers on the database. You can find out more in the ‘Clamping
Down on the Uninsured’ video from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland here.

Why is this important?
It is an important measure aimed at detecting uninsured drivers. Every licensed
driver has their own unique driver number which stays with them regardless of the
vehicle they are using. The legal requirement to add this information to the Irish
Motor Insurance Database will provides An Garda Síochána with a more
comprehensive insight into any offences a driver may have committed, making it
even more difficult for drivers who act illegally on Irish roads to evade detection.

Where can I find my Driver number?
You can find the driver number in Section 4(d) on an Irish driving licence or learner
permit.

Do I risk losing insurance cover if I can’t find my driver number before my
renewal date?
Yes. Under the new law, an insurer or broker will be prevented from issuing a policy
to anyone who fails to supply their driver number. Similarly if a named driver cannot
provide a driver number they will have to be removed from the policy. Equally the
policyholder or prospective policyholder is legally required to supply their driver
number and the driver numbers of anyone named on their policy

Does a licence issued outside the Republic of Ireland have a driver number?
Different countries have different formats for their licences. The legislation sets out
that in the case of foreign licences, “the driver number, licence number or unique
identifier of any person to whom the licence is issued” is required. Either way, you
will need to provide your insurer or broker with a copy of your licence so that they
can record the relevant information on the policy.

What do I do if my licence is lost, stolen, or damaged?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and
you must carry it with you when you are driving. The National Driver Licence Service
(NDLS) manages licence applications and renewals. You can apply for your
replacement driving licence online. Visit the NDLS website to find out how. Don’t
leave it to the last minute as the process can take some time. Your insurer or broker
will usually let you know your renewal is due approximately 30 days before renewal
date.
In the short-term, you can call the NDLS to request your driver number on 0818 700
800. You will need to confirm your identity by providing your name, date of birth and
PPSN. However, you must replace your licence and carry it with you when you drive.
It is important to act now, so you are not left without insurance cover when the new
law comes into effect.

What do I do if my licence is expired?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and
you must carry it with you when you are driving. You can apply to renew your driving
licence online or in person within 3 months of its expiry date, or if it expired less than
10 years ago. Visit the NDLS website for more information. Remember that if you
have special circumstances like a medical condition, you may be required to provide
additional documentation or undergo a medical, which could take more time.
As should not be driving on an expired licence, you must renew your licence and
carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not left without
insurance cover when the new law comes into effect

What if my licence expired more than 10 years ago?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and
you must carry it with you when you are driving. If your licence expired more than 10
years ago, you must complete a driver theory test and then apply for a learner driver
permit. This process will take some time so act immediately. You can find more
information on the ‘My first time learner permit’ section of the NDLS website.

As should not be driving on an expired licence, you must renew your licence and
carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not left without
insurance cover when the new law comes into effect.

What about expired learner permits?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and
you must carry it with you when you are driving. You can renew your learner permit
within 3 months of its expiry, or up to 5 years after it has expired. Remember, you
can’t renew your learner permit for a third time unless you have a driving test
scheduled, or have been unsuccessful in the driving test in the previous 2 years.
You must contact the RSA and book a driving test so that you can renew your learner
permit and carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not
left without insurance cover when the new law comes into effect.

What if my learner permit expired more than 5 years ago?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive. If
your learner permit expired more than 5 years ago, you will have to re-sit your theory
test and apply for a new learner permit. You can find more information on the
‘Manage your learner permit’ section of the RSA website.

What if I have already had 3 learner permits?
You cannot renew your learner permit a third time unless you have a driving test
scheduled or have been unsuccessful in the driving test in the previous 2 years. In
this case, you will have to re-sit your theory test and apply for a new learner permit
so please take action now. You can find more information on the ‘Manage your
learner permit’ section of the RSA website Contact the RSA and book a driving test
so that you can renew your learner permit and carry it with you when you drive. It is
important to act now, so you are not left without insurance cover when the new law
comes into effect.

What if I hold a UK licence?
Since Brexit, you can no longer drive on your UK licence if you live in Ireland. In this
case, you should exchange your driving licence immediately. You must surrender
your UK licence in this case and the NDLS will issue you with a receipt while the
exchange process takes place. Once again, this will take time, so address this
immediately and provide your driver number to your insurer or broker as soon as you
have it. Read the FAQs about exchanging a foreign driving licence on the NDLS
website. If you do not provide a copy of your licence, regardless of whether it is a UK
licence or an EU licence, your insurer will not issue you with a policy.

I have been driving on my Australian licence which I got when I lived there 5
years ago. Will my insurance company accept a copy of this?
As a visitor to Ireland you can drive on a driving licence from any state outside the
EU/EEA for up to one year provided the driving licence is current and valid. However,
as you took up ‘normal residence’ in Ireland 5 years ago, you must either exchange
your driving licence or apply for a driving licence in Ireland. You must surrender your
Australian licence as part of the exchange process and the NDLS will issue you with
a receipt the exchange process takes place. Once again, this will take time, so
address this immediately and provide your driver number to your insurer or broker as
soon as you have it. Read the FAQs about exchanging a foreign driving licence on
the NDLS website. If you do not provide a copy of your licence, regardless of
whether it is a UK licence or an EU licence, your insurer will not issue you with a
policy.

What is the difference between my driver number and my driver licence
number?
Your driver number can be found in section 4(d) of your driving licence or learner
permit. Your licence number can be found in section 5.
My son is a named driver on my car insurance policy, but I can’t get his driver
number at the moment as he is away traveling. Do I need it?
Yes, you need your son’s driver number to renew your policy as any named driver
will have to provide their driver number. If you cannot get the driver number of a
person who is named on your policy you can remove them from the policy until it is
available from them.

I’m on my partner’s policy. Do I need to give her my driver number? Will it
impact her premium if she doesn’t include the number? Will I still be insured?
Your partner needs to have your driver number to renew the current policy. If they
cannot provide your driver number, you will be removed from the policy and this may
have an impact on the premium. Insurers use various factors to calculate the
premium, including any drivers on the policy; therefore, if a driver is removed from
the policy it may affect the cost. For this reason, if you are no longer on her policy
because you couldn’t provide your driver number at the time of renewal, your partner
may see a change in premium.

My son has been living abroad but is returning in the new year for holidays
and I want to put him on the insurance. Do I need his driver number? What
happens if he if he can’t find his licence and will he have to get a replacement?

You do need his driver number and he will have to get a replacement. (Note, you
must be resident in Ireland in order to apply for an Irish Licence. He may not be
eligible to get a replacement licence while living abroad).

I am at college and I don’t have my licence with me but my insurance is up for
renewal tomorrow. Will I still be able to get insurance?
No, from 31st March 2025, you will need to provide your driver number to renew your
policy. In the short-term, you can call the NDLS to request your driver number on
0818 700 800. You will need to confirm your identity by providing your name, date of
birth and PPSN.

My driver number doesn’t work when I give it to my insurer but I always had
this number. What should I do?
Double-check that you are providing the number beside 4(d) on your driving licence
or learner permit. If there is still an issue, you can call the NDLS to request your driver
number on 0818 700 800. You will need to confirm your identity by providing your
name, date of birth and PPSN.

Will the cost of my insurance premium come down if I provide my driver
number?
The new legislation will require motorists to provide their driver number, and those of
any named drivers, to their insurer or broker when taking out motor insurance policies.
If your licence is valid and there is no problem in providing the required information for
named drivers on your policy, there should be no impact on your insurance costs. In
the longer term, reducing the number of uninsured drivers on our roads should benefit
all compliant motorists, as every uninsured driving claim is adding to the cost of motor
insurance for drivers. Gardaí will have access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database
on their Garda Mobility Devices and will enable them to detect those breaking the law
by driving without insurance

 

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