Driving licences issued in Moldova to be recognised in Ireland

Citizens of the Republic of Moldova will be able to exchange their Moldovan driving licence for one issued by the Irish authorities without taking theoretical and practical exams. The draft decision providing for the approval of the Agreement to this effect was approved today by the Government.

The measure is stipulated in the agreement signed in Dublin on 8 April 2026 between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, the Department of Transport of Ireland and the Road Safety Authority of Ireland.

According to the document, holders of a valid driving licence will be able to request its exchange for an equivalent licence issued by the Irish authorities, without taking additional driving tests.

The authorities specify, however, that if the practical exam in the Republic of Moldova was taken in a car with automatic transmission, the exchanged licence in Ireland will be valid only for driving vehicles with automatic transmission.

Under the provisions of the agreement, in order to exchange the licence, the applicant must hold a valid licence for categories and subcategories BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E, obtained for the first time starting from 8 May 2022, and must also have legal residence in Ireland.

At the same time, the Irish authorities will not exchange the licences of persons who have previously exchanged their Moldovan licence for one issued by a state with which Ireland does not have a similar agreement.

The provisions of the agreement do not apply to provisional licences issued in the Republic of Moldova, nor to learner permits issued in Ireland.

The Republic of Moldova has already signed mutual recognition treaties for driving licences with several states, including Turkey, Lithuania, Italy, Albania, Spain and Greece, as well as a joint declaration of intent with Germany regarding the transcription of driving licences.