If you are coming to Ireland to take up residence you can exchange your driving licence for a full Irish driving licence and you will not need to do a driving test. Here is a full list of these countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, South Africa,  South Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

But if you are not from any of the above countries and you hold a national driving licence from your own country, you may drive in Ireland for up to 12 months without any problems.

After 12 months, you have to pass your theory test to get Irish Provisional Driving Licence. Funny isn’t it? You are probably a driver with expirience of 17 years, but you have to pass a theory test like a beginner.

It is also possible to apply for your theory driving test to be conducted through your native language if English is not your first language. You may have an interpreter accompany you for this part of the test, but your interpreter may not be your driving instructor and they cannot accompany you on the practical part of the test.