130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if the Government have any plans to allow a driving license exchange with all US States; and if not, can you please provide the rationale behind same. [66873/26]

Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level. Therefore, all EU-issued licences are recognised in Member States.

Member States may also make bilateral agreements on licence exchange with non-EU jurisdictions. In reaching a bilateral agreement, the most important element is ensuring that the other jurisdiction applies standards for obtaining a licence which are compatible with Ireland's, in order to protect the safety of Irish road users. Where these standards are not met, no agreement is possible, no matter how desirable that may be. For Ireland, the task of comparing the two licensing regimes falls to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

One of the commitments of the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, with a proposed agreement under way at present with Nova Scotia.

US driver licensing operates at state, rather than federal, level. As licensing and testing systems and standards vary widely among the fifty different administrations, proposals for exchange agreements must be considered on a state by state basis. Under the Programme for Government commitment, the RSA is currently engaging with the states of New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey on technical reviews, with a view to recommending whether to enter into exchange agreements.