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Roads Policing Message – Changes to the application process for Motor Insurance.

On March 31st 2025, an important new law came into effect that affects all drivers in Ireland. When taking out or renewing a motor insurance policy, you will now be required to provide your driving licence number for you and any named drivers on the policy.

This change is being introduced as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety, reduce insurance fraud, and ensure greater transparency across the motor insurance sector. The licence number you provide will be recorded and stored securely in the Irish Motor Insurance Database – also known as IMID.

The IMID plays a key role in supporting road traffic enforcement and helps us in An Garda Síochána to identify uninsured drivers more quickly and accurately. With this new requirement, it will be easier to match insurance policies to individual drivers, making our roads safer for everyone.

WHAT IS CHANGING?

Previously, it was up to each insurance company or broker to decide how to verify a drivers licence. Some would ask for a copy of the licence. Others would just ask for confirmation that you have a drivers licence via a recorded telephone conversation. As of 31st March, Insurance companies & brokers are now legally obliged to obtain your driver number and upload it to the IMID.

WHAT IS MY DRIVER NUMBER?

Your driver number is a unique number given to you when you first apply for a learner permit and stays with you throughout your driving life. It can be found at section 4d on your licence.

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WHY IS THIS CHANGE NEEDED?

This measure was included in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and is aimed at enhancing road safety.

This information will be added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), which supports An Garda Síochána when policing the roads. This database already provides details of insurance policies in relation to (3) million vehicles in Ireland and the identity of the insured drivers.

IMID is updated daily.

The addition of the Driver Number – tied to each specific driver – provides An Garda Síochána with a more comprehensive insight into any offences a driver may have committed, making it even more difficult for drivers who act illegally on Irish roads to evade detection.

An Garda Síochána have access to this information in real time at the roadside via their mobility devices. Last year, over 18,000 vehicles were seized and drivers prosecuted by An Garda Síochána for driving without insurance since the introduction of the IMID. The addition of driver information will further increase detections of driving offences and help to make our roads safer for law abiding road users.

If your insurance is up for renewal soon, make sure you have your driver’s licence to hand, as you will be asked for your driver number. If you need to apply for a replacement licence, do so in good time by contacting the National Drivers Licence Service at www.NDLS.ie.