--- title: Smith urges UK/NI driving licence holders to exchange licences for Irish equivalents ahead of crunch Brexit talks description: Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has urged holders of UK or Northern Irish driving licences to apply immediately to exchange… --- [ Join ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/join-fianna-fail) [ Donate Now ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/donate-now) Search website: ** Search # Smith urges UK/NI driving licence holders to exchange licences for Irish equivalents ahead of crunch Brexit talks Published on: 02 October 2020 Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has urged holders of UK or Northern Irish driving licences to apply immediately to exchange their licence before the end of the year.   Currently, the UK is in a transition period following their exit from the European Union. During this transition period it is still possible to exchange a UK/NI driving licence for an Irish equivalent. This transition period ends on December 31st 2020.   Deputy Smith commented, “I would urge anyone holding a UK/NI driving licence who is resident in Cavan-Monaghan to immediately apply for an Irish driving licence. If resident in Ireland and holding a UK driving licence, post December 31st it will be illegal to drive on that UK/NI licence.   “To prevent a last-minute backlog, I would urge residents in the border region to get in touch with their local National Drivers Licence Service Office (NDLS) to begin this process.   “As we approach crunch Brexit talks, I would urge constituents, business owners, neighbours and friends in the border region to prepare for a potential hard Brexit. I commend the work of Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD in Brussels this week and hope for a successful outcome of talks between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Johnson this weekend,” concluded Deputy Smith. Tags: [Brendan Smith](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/tag/brendan-smith) , [Latest News](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/tag/latest-news) , [Brexit](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/tag/brexit) --- ## **Related news:** April 26, 2021 --- ##### [MacSharry calls for extensions for frontline medical and essential workers facing difficulty renewing driving licences](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/macsharry-calls-for-extensions-for-frontline-medical-and-essential-workers-facing-difficulty-renewing-driving-licences) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/macsharry-calls-for-extensions-for-frontline-medical-and-essential-workers-facing-difficulty-renewing-driving-licences) [![Davitt calls on Oireachtas to consider catch-all legislation on renewal of any business or profession requiring State licence or certificate  ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AidanDavitt_FF_LongfordWestmeath.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/davitt-calls-on-oireachtas-to-consider-catch-all-legislation-on-renewal-of-any-business-or-profession-requiring-state-licence-or-certificate) April 27, 2021 --- ##### [Davitt calls on Oireachtas to consider catch-all legislation on renewal of any business or profession requiring State licence or certificate  ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/davitt-calls-on-oireachtas-to-consider-catch-all-legislation-on-renewal-of-any-business-or-profession-requiring-state-licence-or-certificate) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/davitt-calls-on-oireachtas-to-consider-catch-all-legislation-on-renewal-of-any-business-or-profession-requiring-state-licence-or-certificate) [![Brendan Smith: Loss of Ulster Bank will severely impact staff, customers and many communities ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Brendan_Smith_FF_CavanMonaghan.jpg)](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/brendan-smith-loss-of-ulster-bank-will-severely-impact-staff-customers-and-many-communities) April 26, 2021 --- ##### [Brendan Smith: Loss of Ulster Bank will severely impact staff, customers and many communities ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/brendan-smith-loss-of-ulster-bank-will-severely-impact-staff-customers-and-many-communities) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/brendan-smith-loss-of-ulster-bank-will-severely-impact-staff-customers-and-many-communities) April 26, 2021 --- ##### [Smith calls for the role of the cross-border health and social care partnership to be examined   ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/smith-calls-for-the-role-of-the-cross-border-health-and-social-care-partnership-to-be-examined) [![](https://www.fiannafail.ie/hubfs/fianna-theme/icons/arrow-next.svg) ](https://www.fiannafail.ie/news/smith-calls-for-the-role-of-the-cross-border-health-and-social-care-partnership-to-be-examined)