Major change to Irish driving licence set to be introduced this year

Driving is going digital.

The new scheme will be trialled by the Government following an EU centralisation effort to stop drivers avoiding offences by crossing borders.

The Irish Independent revealed that the Government have been working on the new scheme since the start of the year.

The digital licences will have a built-in electronic signature and will be able to be kept handy your phone's wallet app.

Drivers will still be able to opt in for the physical card.

Major change to Irish driving licence set to be introduced this year

It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have your driving licence on you while driving.

Digital driving licences are still in their infancy across Europe, however in Sweden, an electronic driving licence has been developed and tested.

The electronic licence serves as a smart card containing all of the personal information of the driver, including which vehicle types or even individual vehicles he or she is authorised to drive.

Last spring, the EU Commission proposed introducing digital licences to simplify recognition of licences between member states.

One swipe away from your driving licence.

Last March, we proposed a new package to modernise driving licence rules and improve safety for all road users.

It includes an 🇪🇺 digital driving licence, zero-tolerance rule on drink-driving and tougher cross-border enforcement rules. pic.twitter.com/65QTO1qiIq

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) January 12, 2024

They will also be easier to replace or renew since everything will be centralised online.

It will also be easier for non-EU drivers to exchange their licence for an EU once, if they come from a country with comparable road safety standards.

In a statement on their website, the Commission wrote: "The updated laws will ensure that the rights of people accused of traffic offences are upheld.

"Non-residents retain the right to an effective remedy and a fair trial, to the presumption of innocence, and to defence.

"These rights will be better guaranteed by provisions ensuring unified content and delivery of penalty notices, by ensuring recipients of such notices are able to verify their authenticity, and by making the sharing of information with presumed offenders a standard requirement."

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