As a visitor, you can drive in Ireland what your UK licence covers. If you live in Ireland, a UK licence is no longer valid there and must be exchanged. The open question is the B+E that GB added automatically in 2021: no Irish source mentions it.
Visitors
Irish law lets a visitor "drive in a public place a vehicle which he is licensed by the driving permit to drive" (S.I. 384/1992, Art. 9). A visitor is someone who lives outside the State. So an NI driver with B+E from a test can tow under B+E in Ireland, and a B-only NI driver tows under category B rules: 750 kg, or more if car and trailer together are 3,500 kg MAM or less.
The automatic GB B+E
Since 16 December 2021 every GB car licence includes B+E (SI 2021/1450). It appears on the DVLA record straight away and on the photocard at the next renewal. We found no Irish statement on whether Ireland honours it. The wording of the Irish rule points to the category on the licence, but that is our reading, not an official one. If your trip depends on it, ask the RSA or NDLS before you go, or pass the B+E test.
Residents
Citizens Information says that if you live in Ireland you can no longer drive on your UK licence and must exchange it for an Irish one (Citizens Information). gov.ie says an unexchanged UK licence is "only valid for exchange purposes" (gov.ie).
Ireland's other rules
- 80 km/h is the limit for any car towing, on every road including motorways (S.I. 255/2022).
- The trailer must carry the towing car's registration (S.I. 318/1992).
- Trailers over 750 kg need a service brake, handbrake and breakaway brake (RSA).
Questions
- Can I tow a caravan in Ireland on a GB licence?
- Yes if you are a visitor and your licence covers the outfit. If you rely only on the B+E that GB added automatically in 2021, no Irish source confirms it is recognised, so check with the RSA or NDLS.
- What is the towing speed limit in Ireland?
- 80 km/h on all roads, including motorways, unless a lower limit is posted.
- I live in Ireland but have a UK licence. Can I tow?
- No. Residents can no longer drive on a UK licence in Ireland and must exchange it for an Irish one.
Sources
- Great Britain licence driven in Ireland (visitors): Road Traffic (International Circulation of Motor Vehicles) Order 1992, S.I. No. 384 of 1992, Art. 9, checked 3 November 2026.
- Northern Ireland licence driven in Ireland (visitors): Road Traffic (International Circulation of Motor Vehicles) Order 1992, S.I. No. 384 of 1992, Art. 9, checked 3 November 2026.
- B+E added to every GB car licence from 16 December 2021: Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/1450, checked 2 November 2026.
- UK licence holders who live in Ireland: Citizens Information, Foreign driving licences in Ireland, checked 3 November 2026.
- gov.ie: unexchanged UK licences: gov.ie, UK and Ireland driving licence exchange agreement, checked 3 November 2026.
- Ireland: 80 km/h when towing: Road Traffic Act 2004 (Ordinary Speed Limits) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, S.I. No. 255 of 2022, checked 3 November 2026.
- Ireland: trailer shows the car’s registration: Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992, S.I. No. 318 of 1992, Reg. 9(8), checked 3 November 2026.
- Ireland: trailers over 750 kg need full brakes: RSA, Braking requirements for light trailers, checked 3 November 2026.
Guidance, not legal advice. Towsheet is independent and not connected with the DVLA, DVA, RSA or NDLS.