A Judge told a defending solicitor that if he went to live in Rio de Janeiro for two years. he was sure he would have learned the regulations governing driving, having a valid licence and especially the rules over there regarding insuring his car.
Judge James Faughnan made his observations at Loughrea District Court after dealing with numerous cases involving Brazilian nationals who all appeared to have lived in Ireland for two years. He told one defendant that if she intended staying in this country,she had to obtain a driving licence.
The judge expressed frustration that so few of these defendants had acquired Irish driving licences despite having lived and apparently driven on the roads here for some time.
He expressed particular concern that so many of those appearing before him seemed somehow unaware that obtaining insurance was a requirement if they wished to drive in Ireland.
Regarding driving licences, he pointed out that the waiting time to sit the driving test had been greatly reduced, adding that there were all sorts of aids to assist those whose first language was not English to sit the test.
He adjourned several such cases into early in 2026 so defendants would have an opportunity to come back before him with a full driving licence.
