F.A.Q.'s

 

Taxing your vehicle

  • What are the opening hours?
    All Motor Tax office counters are open to the public from 9.15 am to 12.15pm and from 1.15pm to 3.00pm Monday to Friday.Phone calls are taken during normal office hours i.e. 9am to 4.30pm (lunch break 12.30 to 1pm) 
  • How much is it to tax my vehicle?
    Payment of Motor Tax on private vehicles is based on the cubic capacity of the engine or the CO2 emissions of the vehicle (Post 2008 registered vehicles). Paying of Motor tax on commercial/goods vehicle is based on the unladen weight of the vehicle. Paying of tax on buses is based on the seating capacity. You can tax for three months, six months or for one year. Tax discs expire on the last day of the month.
    Refer to rates of duty.
  • Can I tax my vehicle over the phone?
    There is no facility yet to tax over the phone.
  • If my vehicle was only registered in the last week of the month why am I liable to pay tax for the whole month?
    Tax discs issue from the first day of the current month that the vehicle was used in a public place. If the vehicle was not used on a public road until the beginning of the following month then the tax application form (Form RF100A)  must be completed by the registered owner and the declaration of non-use witnessed and stamped at a Garda Station.
  • Can I backdate the tax instead of paying arrears?
    No all tax discs must issue from the first of the current month. Applicants have seven days of grace in the following month to tax a vehicle from the previous month. After the seven days have elapsed arrears are due.
  • How are more than one month arrears calculated?
    Arrears in excess of one month are calculated by multiplying the arrears rate for one month by the number of months involved and ignoring the cent in the result.
  • Can I get a temporary disc until the vehicle is roadworthiness tested?
    Temporary discs are not issued. Testing centres carry out roadworthiness testing without the vehicle having a current tax disc displayed.
  • If I sell my car & there is months left on the disc can I transfer the tax disc to my new car?
    No the tax disc remains with the vehicle. Tax discs are non-transferrable.
  • Where can I get a holder for the Tax/NCT/Insurance disc?
    You may be able to get the holders from your insurance company or from the garage you purchased the vehicle from. Alternatively they can be purchased in any car accessory shop.
  • What methods of payment are there?
    Payment methods include cash (but not through the post), cheque (not third party), money order/postal order, bank draft or by credit card (laser cards require the customer to be present & therefore are not acceptable through the post). Euro Cheques only.
    All payments should be payable to Donegal County Council. Date – no more than 6 month old. Ensure cheques are signed & any changes made to the cheque initialled by the cheque owner.
  • Why do I have to pay a further fee to the Motor Tax office for the road worthiness certificate after already paying for the vehicle to be tested?
    To date the extra fee is payable to cover administration costs. Negotiations are ongoing between the Department of the Environment & Department of Transport to perhaps do away with the necessity of having to hand in the pass statement to the MTO & just use the pass statement, as both documents are quite similar.
  • Do I have to submit my insurance certificate when taxing the car?
    Since the introduction of the Motor Tax Online system, the necessity to produce your insurance certificate has been done away with. The Registered Owner must enter the insurance details on the application form (insurance company name, policy number & expiry date) and the registered owner must fully complete and sign the form. Any tax applications received without the registered owner’s signature will be rejected.
    Vehicle owners should of course ensure that the vehicle is adequately insured at all time & the insurance covers them for the purpose they are using the vehicle e.g. commercial/hire or reward etc
  • When do I have to get a vehicle roadworthiness tested or get the NCT?
    All Commercial vehicles/Large PSV/Ambulances/Recovery Vehicles/Mobile Machines must be roadworthiness tested once they are one year old. Roadworthiness certificates are valid for one year.
    From 01/01/02 all private cars over 4 years old and older require an NCT. The test will fall due on the anniversary of the date of first registration of the vehicle in Ireland or abroad whichever is earlier. When the vehicle passes the NCT the certificate is valid for two years. For further information contact NCT Service, Dublin 1890 412 413. Small vans being taxed as private do not require an NCT at present.
  • Does my vehicle need to have a current NCT to get taxed?
    At present Motor Tax Offices do not require sight of the NCT certificate prior to taxing a vehicle however all owners are required to have a current NCT once the vehicle is over 4 years old.

Motor Tax Online Questions

 
  • What types of vehicle can be taxed on this site?
    Private cars, Motorcycles, Agricultural tractors, Excavators/Diggers & Combine Harvesters, Hearses, Vehicles adapted for use by disabled persons, Motor Caravans (not for first taxing) & Vintage/Veteran Vehicles.
  • Why can I not tax a commercial vehicle online?
    At present there is no facility to enter the road worthiness details for commercial vehicles on the online system
  • What do I need to tax my vehicle online?
    You will need the following items:
    A Personal Identification Number (PIN) and your vehicle registration number to log into the service. Your vehicle insurance details (name of insurer, policy number and expiry date). Details of your payment card (Laser, Visa or MasterCard). Where the vehicle owner/motor dealer wishes to first tax a new or imported secondhand vehicle online, he/she will be required to enter the vehicle registration number and the PIN (portion of the chassis/VIN) on the web-site www.motortax.ie and as soon as this combination is confirmed, the customer is allowed access to the first licensing service
  • Where do I get a PIN?
    In the case of eligible vehicles, the renewal/reminder notice form RF100B will have the PIN number printed on the right hand side. Please retain the RF100B form carefully - for security reasons, this PIN number cannot be issued by phone or email. Entering your vehicle registration number and PIN will give you access to the Motor Tax Online service for your vehicle.
  • Do I use the same PIN every time I tax my vehicle online?
    No. A new PIN will be issued with each individual motor tax renewal/reminder notice. However, you may continue to re-use the PIN associated with a motor tax transaction if you wish to track progress in relation to the issue of the new tax disc.
  • How long after my renewal date will I be able to tax my vehicle online?
    One month after your renewal date, motor tax arrears will become due on your vehicle. Arrears on this site cannot be paid in isolation - the renewal amount must also be paid. This site facilitates the payment of up to three months arrears, after which time your PIN will become inactive and your motor tax transaction must be completed through your local motor tax office. In such circumstances owners are required to complete form RF100A and forward it to your local motor tax office.
  • What is involved in a motor tax online transaction?
    You will be asked to:
    Confirm details of your vehicle, Confirm your name and address (you may notify us of a change of address providing you complete the transaction). Enter your vehicle insurance details. Select the period of taxation. Enter your card details for payment.
  • Can I change ownership of my vehicle on this site?
    Not at present.
  • How will I receive my tax disc?
    Your tax disc will be issued by post within four working days. If your disc does not arrive, or you have any other queries about this transaction, please call the Motor Tax Online helpdesk at 1890 411 412, or email motortax@environ.ie quoting the transaction reference number shown on the payment confirmation page. You can track your tax disc request by clicking the track disc issue link on the home page. You will be required to enter your vehicle registration number and PIN.
  • What type of browser do I require to view this site?
    This site is optimised for Netscape 4 and above, or Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5 and above. The latest versions of these popular browsers can be downloaded from the Netscape or Microsoft websites.
  • How can I be sure that my Laser or credit card details are secure?
    To ensure the security of your credit or Laser card information when you renew your motor tax on this site, we use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. Laser and credit card information is not retained on this site; rather it is securely transferred to Realex Payments, a secure online payments provider. For information about security and privacy on this site, please see our Privacy and Security statement.
  • What is the password security check for credit cards?
    The password check is a new initiative from Visa and MasterCard that enhances the security of online credit card transactions. The aim of this security feature is to prevent a person in possession of your credit card details from using them on a website that implements the password check. Visa brands the service "Verified by Visa" and MasterCard brands it "SecureCode". Customers may be given the option to set a password for their credit cards through the bank that issued the card. When the credit card is then used on a website such as Motor Tax Online that implements the service, the customer will be temporarily redirected to the website of their bank to enter that same password. The correct password must be provided in order to complete the transaction with the card. Customers who do not have their credit card enrolled for this service will not have to perform the password security check.

    Please note this service is not the same as Chip and PIN and requires the customer to enter a different, character-based password. Further information on this service is available on the Visa and MasterCard websites. To find out if this service is available to you, please contact the bank that issued your credit card.

Driving Licence

  • Can I get my licence over the counter?
    No, under Driver Licensing Regulation all licences issued in the Motor Tax Offices must be posted out to the driver. Licences taken in at the public counter are normally posted out the following working day.
  • Can I download a driving licence application form from the internet?
    No, there is a peel off sticker on the form thus it cant be downloaded.
  • When did the Theory Test come in?
    This came into effect on 25th April 2001. Any application made for a 1st Provisional Licence/Learners Permit since that date must be accompanied by a valid Theory Test Certificate. The exception to this regulation is where the applicant holds, or has held in the preceding 5 years, a category which is considered of “Higher” value i.e. Applicant applying for A1 licence yet holds or has held an A licence in the preceding 5 years.
  • Do I need to submit ID with application for a learners Permit when I am submitting a theory test certificate anyway?
    Yes, for first time learners permit licence application you must submit either birth cert/baptismal cert or passport. In the case of non-nationals a certificate of registration is necessary if passport is not available.
  • Can a theory cert from Northern Ireland or England etc be used?
    Theory Certs are issued in accordance with the Traffic regulations of that Jurisdiction; therefore only certs issued in the Republic of Ireland may be accepted.
  • When is the new Driver Card Licence coming into effect?
    A new style driver licence card similar in style to that of a credit card is being considered. The licence card is expected to be much smaller and easier to carry than the current licence. It will have a photograph, driver’s signature and driver number plus additional security features. To date there is no specific date for the card licence to be introduced.
  • How long can a provisional licence/learners permit expire before one must go back to a 1st learners permit licence?
    You have up to five years to renew a licence. After this time applicant reverts back to a 1st learners permit. If applicant had a 1st learner Permit in a different category, it does not count for this purpose. Applicant must have held a licence in the category they are applying for.
  • Can applicant apply for a learners permit in a higher category if they don’t hold a full B Irish licence?
    Yes if the full B licence was issued by any of the countries we exchange with. When applicant passes their driving test in the higher category, they must then exchange their foreign B licence and a new licence should be issued with both categories on it.
  • How long can a full Licence expire before applicant reverts back to a Learners Permit.
    Applicant has up to 10 years to renew a full Driving Licence. After this time, applicant must go through the process of applying for a 1st learners permit.
  • How long may an applicant wait to add back higher categories using a medical report Form D501?
    As with renewing a full licence, applicant has up to 10 years to claim back the higher categories. If after this time applicant decides he wants them, he must go through the process of applying for a 1st learners permit in categories already held.
  • Can anyone apply for a one year full licence or is this restricted to the over 70s on medical grounds?
    This is restricted to any individual whose medical only covers them for one year, whether they are over 70 or not. They usually are over 70 though.
  • When I am adding on a category why cant I hand in my old licence, with time still left on it and pay for a new ten/three year licence?
    The existing computer system has no facility to allow this, therefore a free in lieu licence will issue including the extra category.
  • Person has a full licence for 10 years in category B. One year has elapsed and they pass the test in category C and we issue a free in lieu to add new category.
    The category C is added, is the category C1 automatically added?
    Yes Category C1 is automatically added. It is only a sub category of C
  • If the person has a medical covering him for 10 years – does the C category finish when the B category finishes or does it go by medical date?
    Category C goes by expiry date of medical.
  • What licence do I need to draw a trailer?
    The Department of Transport have now stated a specific weight for the trailer e.g. person holding category B licence (car) may draw a trailer weighing up to 750kgs DGVW without obtaining a licence for Cat EB provided the combined weight of the car and trailer still do not exceed 3500kgs DGVW.
    You may apply for a learners permit licence in categories EB, EC1, EC, ED, ED1 after you have been granted a driving licence for the appropriate drawing vehicle e.g. you must hold a driving licence for category C in order to apply for EC and on completion of a Driver Theory Test in the relevant categories.
  • Why can I not hold a licence from Northern Ireland and ROI?
    Under EU regulations, all EU licences have full recognition in the EU, therefore it is only possible to hold one EU licence at any time.
  • I drive two vehicles but according to law must also have my licence on my person. Can I get a duplicate and keep a licence in each vehicle?
    This is not possible, as once a replacement/duplicate licence has been issued, the original is rendered invalid.

 

Restricted “A” Category Questions

  • When did the restricted “A” licences come in?
    This category was introduced on 15th November 1999. Any person applying for a 1st Learners permit since this date is restricted to a 25kw motor bike on all Learners permits and on their Full Licence for 2 years. This restriction was introduced due to increasing numbers of motor bike road accidents. The Department of Transport brought in this restriction to ensure that Motor Cyclists had sufficient driving experience on a smaller motor bike before using the bigger more powerful motor bikes.

    ‘Category A, motorbike on the licence, restricted to 25kw .
  • What exactly does this mean?
    This means that if a person got their first provisional licence/learners permit for category A after 15/11/1999 they will be restricted to a 25kw bike. This restriction will apply until two years from date full licence is issued for category A.
  • Is this restriction on the full or provisional licence/learners permit?
    As noted above, this restriction applies to both Provisional/learners permit & Full Licences.
  • How is the restriction shown on licence – is there a code to show restriction?
    At the top of the licence there is one line for A1 but two for A. If there is a restriction, dates will appear in the first A line. If the category is not restricted only the second A line will have dates printed on it.

Exchange of Driving Licence Questions

  • What happens when applicant applies to exchange their foreign licence?
    The Motor Tax Office will write to the relevant exchange licensing authority for written confirmation of the licences validity prior to issuing an Irish Full Licence
  • What happens to foreign licences once they are exchanged?
    The licence is sent to the Department of the Transport, Ballina who then forward it to the issuing authority e.g. Swansea for English licences.
  • Can a person drive on a foreign licence in Ireland?
    A person may drive on an EU licence for the life of the licence. They may drive on a “Recognised State” or any other foreign licence for 1 year from the date of taking up residence in Ireland. After this period they should either exchange their licence for an Irish licence or apply for a learners permit here..
  • Can a person with a foreign licence drive the categories of vehicles on that licence in Ireland and for how long before exchanging same?
    A person who holds an EU licence can drive with that licence until it expires. A person with a licence from any of the other countries with which we have an exchange arrangement can hold their licence for 12 months.
  • Why can I not exchange USA licence?
    USA licences can not be exchanged at present, as there has been no agreement made between the Department of Transport & the Licensing Authorities in America.
  • Can I exchange a provisional licence from another country?
    Please note that a provisional licence and certificate of competency from another country cannot be submitted for exchange. The licence must have been converted to full in the particular country first.
    Provisional licences are only valid in the jurisdiction they are issued
  • I have penalty points on my Northern Ireland/UK Licence; will they transfer over to the ROI licence if I exchange?
    Penalty points on Northern Ireland/UK licences do not transfer over to ROI licences on exchange. However if you are disqualified from driving in Northern Ireland you may not attempt to exchange the Licence in ROI as same should have been handed into the Courts for retention.

MEDICAL REPORT QUESTIONS

  • Why do I need to submit a medical?
    Medical reports are required if you are over 70yrs of age or if you have any illness for disability to declare or if you hold categories other than Categories A, B, EB, M, W. Medical reports are not required if you are declaring that you need to wear corrective lenses or a hearing aid while driving.
  • Taking out a learners permit for Higher Category – 5 Year Rule
    If you take out a learners permit for a higher category & there is medical report on file, the medical report must have been received within the last 5 years and must cover the class and the 2 years for the learners permit required.
  • Do the motor tax offices rely on the doctor’s medical report to decide what categories to give or on what the applicant did or did not tick on the form?
    Motor Tax offices must go by what is stated on the Medical report form.
  • If the doctor has only signed and stamped the medical report form but has failed to complete the categories or time period on the form – does the responsibility rest with the driving licence cashier to chase up the doctor to get the information needed or with the applicant?
    The responsibility actually rests with the applicant to go back to the doctor and have the form completed and re-stamped to show changes have been made.
  • What is wrong with a medical report carried out by a doctor in Northern Ireland?
    Medical reports must be completed on Form D501 and the Medical Practitioner registered under the Medical Practitioners Act of Ireland.(Road Traffic Regulations 2006) 
  • I am 64 years old and paying €25.00 why can I not get a ten year licence ?
    If you are over 60 but under 67yrs of age you can only obtain a driving licence which will expire when you reach 70 years of age. Once you reach 70yrs of age a driving licence is only issued to you on the discretion of your doctor on completion of the medical report form D501. The doctor will decide on whether to grant you a 3yr or 1yr licence.

Disqualification/Endorsement Questions

  • What is an Endorsement?
    An endorsement is an order made by a judge in Court directing that particulars of a conviction be endorsed on a person’s driving licence
  • How long does an endorsement last?
    An endorsement is for three years and it only starts from the date the licence is endorsed. The licence to be endorsed must be in date and remain in date for the endorsement to continue. If your licence expires before the three years has lapsed your next licence must be stamped. If you do not have a licence at the time the endorsement cannot run until you obtain a licence.
  • Can the length of the endorsement be reduced?
    No. All endorsements are for three years.
  • If I have more than one endorsement do they run together?
    Yes, provided all endorsements have been stamped on the licence, which is in date.
  • Can I appeal against my endorsement?
    No. You may appeal against the conviction, however if the conviction is upheld the endorsement still stands.
  • If I am disqualified from driving what do I do?
    If you are disqualified from driving you must hand in your Driving Licence to the Court or to Motor Tax Office, Lifford.
  • When does my disqualification commence?
    Disqualification commences 15 days from the date you were in Court, unless otherwise directed by the Judge. If an appeal is lodged within 15 days from the date of court, conviction is void until the appeal is heard.
  • What happens to my licence?
    Your licence will be stamped in the District Court Office and sent to the appropriate Motor Taxation Office (where licence was issued) who will retain it on file for the duration of the disqualification. The disqualification carries an automatic endorsement commencing from the expiry date of the disqualification.
  • If I hold both a full and provisional licence/learners permit at the same time do both licences need to be submitted to the Courts for disqualification/endorsement?
    Yes all valid licences held by the convicted driver must be endorsed.