Know more about Driver Numbers
Do I risk losing insurance cover if I can’t find my driver number before my renewal date?
Yes. Under the new law, an insurer or broker will be prevented from issuing a policy to anyone who fails to supply their driver number. Similarly if a named driver cannot provide a driver number they will have to be removed from the policy. Equally the policyholder or prospective policyholder is legally required to supply their driver number and the driver numbers of anyone named on their policy. The same requirement to provide each driver number apply when purchasing a new policy.
How can I provide this information to RedClick?
Customers with licences issued in Ireland
- Online: use our handy online form at https://www.redclick.ie/policy-management/add-driver-number
- Email: send the driver number for all drivers noted on your policy to drivinglicence@redclick.ie
- Post: Send the driver number for all drivers noted on your policy to: RedClick, 5 Town Hall Place, Farnham Street, Cavan, H12 V9F5
- Phone: you can call us on 01 553 4040
Customers with licences issued outside Ireland
You must send a copy/photo of all licences issued outside Ireland to us by email or post
- Email: send the driver number for all drivers noted on your policy to drivinglicence@redclick.ie
- Post: Send the driver number for all drivers noted on your policy to: RedClick, 5 Town Hall Place, Farnham Street, Cavan, H12 V9F5
What about expired learner permits?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and you must carry it with you when you are driving. You can renew your learner permit within 3 months of its expiry, or up to 5 years after it has expired. Remember, you can't renew your learner permit for a third time unless you have a driving test scheduled or have been unsuccessful in the driving test in the previous 2 years.
You must contact the RSA and book a driving test so that youy can renew your learner permit and carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not left without insurance cover when the new law comes into effect.
What do I do if my licence is expired?
If your licence is expired, you must renew it before the new law takes effect. You can renew your licence online or in person within three months of its expiry date, or up to 10 years after expiry. Visit the NDLS website for details.
If your licence expired more than 10 years ago, you’ll need to pass a driver theory test and apply for a new learner permit. Start this process immediately to avoid delays in securing insurance.
What do I do if my licence is lost, stolen, or damaged?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive and you must carry it with you when you are driving. The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) manages licence applications and renewals. You can apply for your replacement driving licence online. Visit the NDLS website to find out how. Don’t leave it to the last minute as the process can take some time.
In the short-term, you can call the NDLS to request your driver number on 0818 700 800. You will need to confirm your identity by providing your name, date of birth and PPSN. However, you must replace your licence and carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not left without insurance cover when the new law comes into effect.
What does this mean for me?
You must provide your driver number and the driver numbers of anyone named on your motor insurance policy to comply with the new legislation. For licences issued in Ireland, the driver number is located under Section 4D on your licence.
For licences issued outside of Ireland, we will need a copy of the licence sent to us. Further information is available at “How can I provide this information to RedClick?”
As part of this change, we are required to securely hold your driver number on file and share it with relevant authorities, including the Irish Motor Insurance Database. This ensures compliance with the law, helps Gardaí detect uninsured drivers, and contributes to safer, fairer roads for everyone.
If a named driver cannot provide their driver number, they will need to be removed from the policy to ensure your coverage remains valid.
What happens if I can’t get the driver number for each driver?
If each driver can’t be verified, then the named driver will be removed from the policy and the driver will not be insured to drive.
What if I have already had 3 learner permits?
You cannot renew your learner permit a third time unless you have a driving test scheduled or have been unsuccessful in the driving test in the previous 2 years. In this case, you will have to re-sit your theory test and apply for a new learner permit so please take action now. You can find more information on the 'Manage your learner permit' section of the RSA website. Contact the RSA and book a driving test so that you can renew your learner permit and carry it with you when you drive. It is important to act now, so you are not left without insurance cover when the new law comes into effect.
What if I hold a UK licence?
Since Brexit, you can no longer drive on your UK licence if you live in Ireland. In this case, you should exchange your driving licence immediately. You must surrender your UK licence in this case and the NDLS will issue you with a receipt while the exchange process takes place. Once again, this will take time, so address this immediately and provide your driver number to your insurer or broker as soon as you have it. Read the FAQs about exchanging a foreign driving licence on the NDLS website. If you do not provide a copy of your licence, regardless of whether it is a UK licence or an EU licence, your insurer will not issue you with a policy.
What if my learner permit expired more than 5 years ago?
By law, you must hold a valid driving licence or learner permit in order to drive. If your learner permit expired more than 5 years ago, you will have to re-sit your theory test and apply for a new learner permit. You can find more information on the 'Manage your learner permit' section of the RSA website.
What is happening?
Starting 31 March 2025, Irish law (Road Traffic Act) requires you to provide your driver number and the driver numbers of anyone named on your motor insurance policy when buying or renewing your insurance. Insurers and brokers cannot legally issue a policy without this information, as required under Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) legislation.
What is the IMID?
The Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), comprising the Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) Database and the National Fleet Database (NFD), provides a single point of reference for motor vehicles insured in Ireland. The data in the IMID is provided by motor insurers, brokers, fleet owners and motor traders. The data includes policy holder details, vehicles registration numbers and names of drivers that are permitted to driver the vehicles that are covered by each policy. The IMID is managed by the MIBI and the data is shared with the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána as set out in Section 78A of the Road Traffic Act.
Where do I get the driver number?
For any licence issued in Ireland, by the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) the driver number is under section 4D.
For licences issued outside of Ireland, we will need a copy of the licence sent to us. Further information is available at “How can I provide this information to RedClick?”
Why is this happening?
It’s all to do with a system called the Irish Motor Insurance Database, which supports the Gardaí in their efforts to detect uninsured drivers. The database contains the records of 3 million vehicles and 5 million drivers and is updated daily. The Gardaí use an app in real time on the roads to scan registration plates. The app checks the information against the database allowing the Gardaí to identify uninsured drivers. The system has already been very successful and will be strengthened by the inclusion of driver numbers on the database.