# Exchange a driving licence from a recognised state | Transportation | Moving to Ireland > As you may have a driving license is from a country that is recognized by the Irish government, you can exchange it for an Irish driving license. To… Source: https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/exchange-your-existing-driving-license-recognized-state/ Transportation · Step 5 of 9 # Exchange a driving licence from a recognised state For Recognised licence holders 1 min read · Updated 13 September 2026 As you may have a driving license is from a country that is recognized by the Irish government, you can exchange it for an Irish driving license. To exchange your driving license, you must provide the following documentation: - Your current driving license. - A completed D401 application form, which can be obtained from the NDLS (National Driver Licensing Service) website. - Evidence of your residency in Ireland, such as a utility bill or a letter from your employer. - A passport-sized photograph. - The appropriate fee (€55 as of 2023). Not all categories of license can be exchanged in every case. You can read more about the [specific exchange rules](http://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/exchange-my-foreign-driving-licence.html#recognised-states) governing each country and territory listed above on the NDLS website. You must exchange your license within 1 year of its expiration date. It is important to note that driving in Ireland can be challenging, especially for those who are not used to driving on the left side of the road. It is recommended that you take driving lessons and practice driving on quiet roads before attempting to drive in busier areas. * * * ## ★ Useful links - [Recognized States by Ireland](http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/motoring_1/driver_licensing/exchanging_foreign_driving_permit.html#l7aa43) ![](https://www.movingtoireland.co/apple-touch-icon.png) You have read 21% of this guide ## Keep reading in the Moving to Ireland app The rest of **Exchange a driving licence from a recognised state** — about 1 minute more — is in the app, free to download, alongside 98 other guides and a checklist built around your own move. [Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) iPhone and iPad · no account needed ## More on transportation [All 9 guides in this section](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/) - ### [Public Transportation System of Ireland](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/public-transportation-in-ireland/) Ireland has a relatively efficient public transport system that includes buses, trains, trams, and taxis. While it may not be as extensive as some other… 2 min read - ### [Leap card](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/leap-card/) If you’re planning to use public transport in Ireland, you might have heard about the Leap Card. This rechargeable smart card is an essential item for… 2 min read - ### [Driver's license in Ireland](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/drivers-license-in-ireland/) Getting a driving license in Ireland is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require some time, effort, and preparation. In this article… 2 min read - ### [Exchange a driving licence from a non-recognised state](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/transportation/exchange-your-existing-driving-license-non-recognized-state/) As you may have a valid driving license from a non recognized country, you can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months. Thereafter, you will need to obtain… 2 min read · For Non-recognised licence holders Keep going ## Get the full transport roadmap in the app Moving to Ireland turns 99 guides into a personal checklist. Tell it your passport, whether you have moved yet, and who is coming with you, and it lays out every step in order — from the visa to the bins. - Step-by-step checklist - Tailored to your passport - Pre-move & post-move - Family & pet sections [![Download Moving to Ireland on the App Store](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-store-badge.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) ★★★★★ 4.9 on the App Store [![Expats who settled in Ireland, two five-star App Store reviews, and the Moving to Ireland app showing its relocation checklist](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-social-proof.webp)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261)