New regulations have been announced which allow holders of Ukrainian bus and truck driving licences to work professionally in Ireland.
The European Union (Driver Qualification Card) (Persons from Ukraine) Regulations 2023 sets out the compulsory training which will be required by holders of Ukrainian bus and truck licences and driver qualification cards who are resident in Ireland.
European Union Regulations came into force in July 2022 which facilitates Ukrainians residing in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to drive here on their current national driving licences.
However, a person with C or D categories on their licence (trucks and buses) must have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to drive these types of vehicles professionally in Ireland. The new Regulations set out in national law the details of the compulsory training and the requirement to apply for training.
Ukrainian CPC holders will undergo 35 hours of additional compulsory training, eight hours of supervised driving and a driver theory test before obtaining an Irish/EU driver qualification card. These regulations will facilitate Ukrainian truck and bus drivers who are residing in Ireland under the International Protection Act to undergo the necessary training and to apply for work in Ireland.
Minister of State, Jack Chambers TD said these latest regulations are of “dual benefit to the state, as it supports our efforts to recruit more drivers, and to Ukrainian drivers who are now living here”.
