Minister Canney signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Moldova for a bilaterial driving licence exchange agreement
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney, has signed an agreement with Moldova on the reciprocal exchange of driving licences. The agreement was signed at Leinster House during an official visit by H.E. Ms Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova and was witnessed by President Sandu and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
This agreement provides for the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licences between Ireland and Moldova. Under its terms, holders of a full Irish driving licence who relocate to Moldova may exchange their licence for a Moldovan equivalent, and Moldovan licence holders may do the same if resident in Ireland.
Importantly, because both countries recognise an equivalent standard of driver training, there is no requirement to undertake a driving test, which will be of great benefit to citizens of both jurisdictions.
“I am particularly pleased to be able to announce this agreement between Ireland and Moldova. This agreement marks a positive step forward in the relationship between Ireland and Moldova and will significantly reduce barriers to mobility and employment between the two countries.
The process of reaching this agreement involved a great deal of work, and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all those who have made the agreement possible including the Road Safety Authority and the Ministry of the Interior in Moldova”.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien
“This agreement offers significant practical benefits, including reducing barriers to mobility, facilitating employment opportunities, and promoting ease of integration for individuals relocating between the two jurisdictions.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney
Ireland welcomes the opportunity to explore licensing agreements with new jurisdictions. However, entering into a driving licence exchange agreement with a non-EU jurisdiction is not a straightforward matter. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes, so that each side is satisfied that they are compatible. Today marks the completion of that process for the agreement with Moldova.
Following the signature today, the Department plans to bring forward regulations to operationalise this agreement within 60 days.
Notes
Details of how to apply to exchange a recognised foreign driving licence may be found at: to https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html#to-apply-to-exchange-a-foreign-driving-licence-issued-by-a-recognised-state