From March 31, all motorists in Ireland must provide their Driver Number when renewing or purchasing a new motor insurance policy, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).
The measure, introduced under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, aims to enhance road safety and tackle uninsured driving. It will be an offence for any insurance provider or broker to issue a policy without a valid Driver Number.
What Motorists Need to Know
The Driver Number is a unique identifier assigned to every motorist for life, regardless of changes to their vehicle, insurance provider, or even driver’s licence renewal. It can be found under section 4(d) of a driver’s licence.
From the end of March, anyone failing to supply the Driver Number for all named drivers on their policy will not be legally able to obtain insurance.
“For most people, this just means they need to check their driver’s licence and provide the correct number when renewing their insurance,” said David Fitzgerald, CEO of MIBI. “If additional drivers are listed, their numbers must also be included.”
Enhancing Road Safety and Law Enforcement
This new requirement will see Driver Numbers added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID)—a key tool used by An Garda Síochána to track uninsured drivers.
Currently, Gardaí have real-time access to insurance details for over three million vehicles and five million drivers, with information updated daily. Adding Driver Numbers will create a more comprehensive record, making it harder for those who break road laws to evade detection.
The IMID project, a joint initiative between the Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána, Insurance Ireland, the MIBI, and insurance providers, was launched to curb Ireland’s high levels of uninsured driving.
MIBI figures reveal that in 2022, there were approximately 188,000 uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads—one in every 12 cars.
“This is an important measure that brings more safety to Irish roads and greater accountability,” Fitzgerald added. “With Gardaí already able to detect uninsured drivers in seconds, this will further strengthen road policing efforts.”
The Final Phase of the IMID Project
The integration of Driver Numbers marks the final stage of the IMID project, ensuring every driver has a traceable record.
“We all want safer roads, and this measure adds another layer of effectiveness in the battle against illegal driving,” said Fitzgerald.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, motorists are advised to check their driver’s licence and ensure all required details are provided when renewing or applying for insurance.
