General information
Main rules
The National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) generates the vehicle registration certificate. The certificate is delivered as a single document. Vehicles registered before May 2004, when the requirements of Directive 1999/37/EC came into force in Irish law, received a vehicle licensing certificate. A new vehicle registration certificate is issued when a recently registered vehicle (new or second-hand) has been road-taxed for the first time and upon each change of ownership, other than to a motor dealer. A new certificate is also issued upon change of any data displayed on the registration certificate. If a garage pays tax on a vehicle for more than three months, the owner category changes from G (garage) to C (Company). A Vehicle Registration Certificate is then issued to the garage as a company owner.
Period of validity
Valid until ownership changes, other than to a motor dealer as part of the dealing business.
