You cannot exchange a Brazilian driving licence for an Irish one, because Brazil is not on Ireland’s list of recognised states. As a visitor you can drive for up to 12 months if you also hold an international driving permit. After that you need an Irish licence, and the first step is the driver theory test, which you can take with a Brazilian Portuguese voiceover.
The rules here come from Citizens Information (page edited 28 April 2026), the RSA and the official Driver Theory Test service, checked on 29 September 2026. For the full exchange list, see our guide to foreign licences in Ireland.
How Long Can You Drive on Your Brazilian Licence?
Up to 12 months as a visitor, on two conditions: your licence is from a country outside the EU, EEA and recognised states, which Brazil is, and you also have an international driving permit from your country. If you plan to stay in Ireland for more than 12 months, you must apply for an Irish driving licence.
You are normally resident in Ireland if you live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year.
The Four Steps to an Irish Licence
- Pass the driver theory test. The car test costs €45.
- Apply for a learner permit through the NDLS. If your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK, you need proof that you are normally resident in Ireland.
- Complete Essential Driver Training with an approved driving instructor.
- Pass the driving test.
The Theory Test in Brazilian Portuguese
The car theory test is 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and you need 35 correct to pass. Brazilian Portuguese is one of the 21 voiceover languages.
- When you book online, choose Brazilian Portuguese from the voiceover options.
- On the day, the questions appear on screen in English and you hear them in Portuguese through headphones.
- You book using an Irish address, and the name on your booking must match your ID. A passport is accepted.
Because the screen stays in English, practise in English beforehand so the road terms are familiar.
Your Experience Counts: Reduced EDT
New car drivers take 12 EDT lessons and must hold their first learner permit for six months before the driving test. The RSA runs a reduced programme for holders of a full foreign licence who cannot exchange it: 6 lessons instead of 12, with an exemption from the six-month rule.
The RSA’s conditions are:
- You hold a full foreign driving licence. The RSA describes the programme as being for holders of a full car licence (category B), so a learner or provisional licence does not qualify.
- You held that licence for at least two years before your Irish learner permit was issued.
- In the RSA’s words, your licence “must not have expired more than six months on the date of receipt of application form”. If your licence is close to that limit, check the RSA’s leaflet before you apply.
- You are resident in Ireland.
- You hold an Irish learner permit.
You have to apply for it. Do that before you book lessons.
A Study Plan for Experienced Drivers
- Take the free 10-question test. No account needed.
- Sit one timed mock test before you study. The wrong answers are your study list.
- Spend 20 minutes a day in practice mode on your weak topics.
- Learn Irish signs with the road signs game and read the study guides on learner permit rules.
No study tool can promise a pass. Practice removes the surprises.
To find a test centre near you, see the theory test town pages. Dublin has four centres, listed on the Theory Test Dublin page.
Start practising for free → Or take the free 10-question test first.