The Irish Times – Wednesday, January 18, 2012

THIS WEEK: getting ready for the new-style driving licence

From NK: my driving licence is due for renewal in September of this year. I was delighted to read in your paper in October of the introduction of the new, credit card-type licence, which is far more convenient to carry. however, having called Dublin City Council last week, I was informed that the new licences will not be introduced until 2013. so I will have the inconvenience of the old-style licence for the next nine years. my question is, will they introduce some type of trade-in where I can exchange the old for the new without incurring the cost of the new licence? 

The new licenses come in to effect from January 1st, 2013, although they are likely to be trialled before that in some areas. The Government has confirmed that they will allow motorists to change to the new credit card license after its introduction — but for a fee.

From BG: I was in Austria last week with a brand-new Ford Focus (

Helpdesk – The Irish Times – Wed, Jan 18, 2012