New Zealand Ireland Association
Driving here and within the EU

The major cities within Ireland are now connected by a good motorway network, while public transport does exist you may still wish to drive. Here's some information for those holding a New Zealand license.
Driving in Ireland
Your New Zealand drivers licence will allow you to drive on the roads here for up to a period of 12 months, note however you will be recognised as a non EU driver so will be subjeted to higher car insurance premiums.
If you are planning on being here longer than a year you should consider exchanging your New Zealand licence for an Irish one. It will allow you to avail of lower car insurance costs and will make it easier to hire cars (and drive) elsewhere within the European Union.
Converting your NZ license
If you are going to be in Ireland for more than a year you should consider converting your New Zealand license for an Irish/EU one, it will allow you to avail of cheaper car insurance.
Note that you are formally surrending your NZ license meaning it will be canclled by the New Zealand authorities, the process can take 2-3 months while the Irish and New Zealand authorities work through the process.
You can only swapy our liecense for one of the same type (ie: if your NZ license is for an automatic car only you will only be given an Irish automatic license).
Further details of how this process is completed can be found here.
