What’s changing with car insurance in Ireland?
From tomorrow, all car insurance policies in Ireland, including those for named drivers, must include a driver number. Without it, you won’t be able to obtain or renew insurance.
What is a driver number, and where can I find it?
Your driver number is a unique identifier assigned to every licensed driver in Ireland. It appears on your driving licence and is located in field 4d on the front. It consists of nine digits with no letters. This number remains the same throughout your driving history, no matter how many times you renew your licence or change vehicles.
Why is this change being introduced?
Ireland has a significant issue with uninsured drivers. In 2022, an estimated 188,000 vehicles were on the roads without insurance. This new regulation aims to combat the problem by linking all insurance policies to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), making it far more difficult for uninsured drivers to operate undetected.
How will this new requirement reduce uninsured driving?
With real-time verification, gardaí can now instantly scan registration plates and cross-check them with the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), making it easier than ever to spot uninsured vehicles on the road. By linking driver numbers directly to insurance policies, the system creates a more comprehensive database, closing loopholes that once allowed drivers to dodge coverage.
Will this requirement have an impact on insurance premiums?
Potentially, yes. If fewer uninsured drivers are on the road, the overall risk to insurers decreases, which could lead to lower premiums for law-abiding motorists. However, insurance pricing is influenced by many factors, so while this measure may contribute to reduced costs, its full impact remains to be seen.
Top Tip
Make sure you know your driver number and have it ready when applying for or renewing insurance. For further details, check with your insurer, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), or the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID).
Contact Geraldine: email sundaymotors@independent.ie
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.