Legislation will require motorists to provide Driver Number when taking out motor insurance

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has last week signed Commencement Orders for legislation that will come into effect on 31st March 2025. This legislation will require motorists to provide their Driver Number, and those of any named drivers, to their vehicle insurer when taking out motor insurance policies.

It will also require all insurers, and intermediaries acting on their behalf, to ensure Driver Number data is collected by them and validated against the Department of Transport’s National Vehicle and Driver File. This must be done prior to the issue of a policy of motor insurance, and the data must subsequently be transferred to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID).

Insurers and intermediaries acting on their behalf can apply to the Department of Transport for access to the Driver Number validation service and, once approved, will sign up to a Data Sharing Agreement.

This is an important development from a road safety perspective as the key aim of the IMID database is to remove uninsured drivers from Irish roads. An Garda Síochána have access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database through their Mobility Devices, and can currently detect drivers operating without insurance on Irish roads.

When this legislation comes into effect on 31st March next year, validated Driver Numbers will also be available to Garda members at the roadside.

Speaking about this development, An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner - Roads Policing and Community Engagement Paula Hilman said:

“For Gardaí, having access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database on their Garda Mobility Devices puts them in a stronger position to detect those breaking the law by driving without insurance. The additional feature of having a person’s Driver Number data available to Gardaí through the Irish Motor Insurance database will further strengthen our ability to keep road users safe. This new development underscores the considerable progress that is being achieved when we improve the technology available to members of An Garda Síochána, when we work in partnership with stakeholders and share data.”

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of Insurance Ireland said:

“Insurance Ireland’s members have supported this important Government initiative to deliver the Irish Motor Insurance Database, allowing Gardaí to check the insurance status of any vehicle by scanning its registration plate. The inclusion of Driver Numbers in the process is a further enabler of the system following the successful roll-out of the first two phases of the project.

“With an 11% growth in claims in 2023 caused by uninsured vehicles reported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland, increased detection of uninsured vehicles is more important than ever. Every uninsured driving claim is adding to the premiums of law-abiding drivers. Working together, we will succeed in identifying these drivers and ensure they face the rigours of the law.

“In advance of the commencement of the new legislation, Insurance Ireland members have been making significant progress in collecting Driver Numbers from policy holders with over 2 million already in their back book. Communications to their customers will intensify in the coming months and will be complemented with a national awareness campaign.

“The Driver Number can be found in section 4(d) of an Irish Driver Licence or Learner Permit. Be sure to give yourself enough time to have the number to hand at renewal time, or if you are taking out motor insurance for the first time. You will need all Driver Numbers if you are changing insurer or are adding a named driver to your policy.”

ENDS