Driving in Ireland on a Ukrainian Driving Licence
You may drive in Ireland on a Ukrainian driving licence only while you are benefiting from Temporary Protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Your Ukrainian driving licence is recognised for driving in Ireland for the duration of your Temporary Protection.
If you are resident in Ireland under any other immigration permission, your Ukrainian driving licence is not recognised for driving in Ireland. Therefore, if you are resident in Ireland under any other immigration permission, you must hold a valid Irish or European Union/European Economic Area driving licence to drive here.
When your Temporary Protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive ends, or if you no longer hold Temporary Protection status, your Ukrainian driving licence is no longer valid for driving in Ireland. Ireland does not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Ukraine. If you wish to continue driving in Ireland after your Temporary Protection status ends, you will be required to obtain an Irish driving licence.
The process for obtaining a Category B (car) driving licence is as follows:
- Pass the driver theory test.
- Apply for a learner permit.
- Complete 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons.
- Wait a minimum of six months before taking the driving test.
- Pass the driving test and apply for an Irish driving licence.
If you have held a Ukrainian driving licence for more than two years, you may qualify for a reduced process, which includes:
- Pass the driver theory test.
- Apply for a learner permit.
- Complete 6 EDT lessons instead of 12.
- No minimum six-month waiting period before taking the driving test.
- Pass the driving test and apply for an Irish driving licence.
For more information, see our Reduced EDT page.
If you hold Temporary Protection status and hold a Ukraine Category B driving licence, you may apply for an Irish truck or bus driving licence by passing the driver theory test for the relevant category, applying for a learner permit, registering your Ukrainian Category B driving licence, passing the bus or truck driving test, and then applying for the corresponding Irish driving licence. Your Irish driving licence will also include the Category B (car) with the same start date as the truck/bus category.
If you hold Temporary Protection status and have a Ukrainian driving licence, and also hold an Irish learner permit for the purpose of obtaining an Irish driving licence, you may continue to drive the vehicle categories covered by your Ukrainian driving licence while your Temporary Protection remains in effect.
As obtaining an Irish driving licence takes time, if you intend to remain in Ireland beyond the end of your Temporary Protection status and wish to continue driving here, you should familiarise yourself with the process for obtaining an Irish driving licence and complete the necessary steps before your Temporary Protection status ends.
Apply for a learner permit in a bus or truck category when you hold a Ukraine driving licence in category B and living in Ireland under temporary protection.
You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. An application form is not required. Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
To apply in person at an NDLS centre you will need:
- Your current Ukraine driving licence with category B
- Photo Identification – current passport or Public Services Card
- To have successfully passed the driver theory test in the category you are applying for in the previous 2 years
- Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN).
- Medical report form completed by your medical practitioner and submitted within one month of the date of the medical examination
- Proof of your address dated within the last six months is required if your current address differs from that provided to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) if and when you applied for a Public Services Card PSC
- Proof of Residency – Section 60 Temporary Protection document issued by Department of Justice. Section 60 Temporary Protection document valid until 4 March 2026 or valid until 4 March 2027 is acceptable.
- Completed relevant driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- Application fee of €45.00. You can pay by credit or with debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher. If you are aged 70 years or over, you are exempt from paying the fee.
Apply for an Irish driving licence for a bus or truck category when you hold a Ukraine driving licence in category B and have passed a bus or truck driving test on an Irish learner permit.
You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. An application form is not required. Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
To apply in person at an NDLS centre you will need:
- To have successfully passed the driving test in the category that you are applying for within the last two years
- Your current or most recent Irish learner permit in the category you are applying for
- Your current Ukraine driving licence for category B,
- Photo Identification – current passport or Public Services Card
- Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN)
- Medical report form completed by your medical practitioner and submitted within one month of the date of the medical examination
- Proof of your address dated within the last six months is required if your current address is not recorded on your learner permit and it differs from that provided to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) if and when you applied for a Public Services Card PSC
- Proof of Residency – Section 60 Temporary Protection document issued by Department of Justice. Section 60 Temporary Protection document valid until 4 March 2026 or valid until 4 March 2027 is acceptable.
- Completed relevant driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- Application fee of €65.00. You can pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher. If you are aged 70 years or over, you are exempt from paying the fee.
Upon successful completion of processing of your application an Irish driving licence with the bus or truck category and B (car) category will issue to you by post. Your Ukraine driving licence will also be returned to you separately by post.