The new measure is aimed at further clamping down on the large number of uninsured drivers on Irish roads.
A new measure aimed at further improving road safety is coming into effect at the end of the month.
From 31st March, all drivers who are renewing or applying for motor insurance in Ireland will be required to provide their driver number.
The details will then be added to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), a system already being used by An Garda Síochána to better identify and take action against uninsured drivers or those who shouldn't be on our roads.
Currently, the database holds insurance details for over three million vehicles and five million drivers, with daily updates. An Garda Síochána can access the IMID information easily through their handheld scanners when doing road checks to verify whether someone has insurance in just seconds.
The inclusion of the driver number in the database will serve as a unique identifier for each motorist, providing the Gardaí with an even better, near real-time view of any offences committed by motorists, making it even harder for illegal drivers to avoid detection.
According to the IMID, Ireland has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the world, with approximately 188,000 vehicles—equivalent to one in every 12 private vehicles—operating without insurance on Irish roads.
The new requirement may also help with the cost of motor insurance.
According to the IMID, compensating drivers who suffer injuries or damages due to accidents involving uninsured or untraced drivers adds approximately €35 per year to the average motor insurance premium.
What is my driver number?
Every motorist in Ireland has a unique driver number which is found under section 4(d) of your Irish driving licence.
The number remains the same for life, regardless of whether you buy a new car, change insurer, or even renew your licence.
How will this affect me?
Under the new rules, it’ll be illegal for any insurer or broker to renew or issue a new motor insurance policy without getting the policyholder’s driver number.
If you're adding a named driver to your policy, you’ll need to include their driver number too.
In practice, this shouldn't be too onerous for most people as it simply means checking your licence for the correct number and providing it during the renewal process.
And at bonkers.ie our car insurance service has required users to provide this number ever since we launched the service several years ago.
But if you’ve previously failed to provide your driver number when getting insurance, either because you weren’t asked, don't know it, or didn’t want to provide it, note that from the end of the month this will mean you won’t be legally able to get motor insurance.
So ensure you make a note of your driver number and have it to hand next time you're renewing your policy.
This requirement gives An Garda Síochána greater insight into any offences a driver may have committed, making it even harder for those breaking the law to avoid detection. When combined with the existing benefits of the IMID, which allows Gardaí to identify uninsured drivers in seconds, this new step strengthens the policing of Irish roads.
David Fitzgerald, CEO of the MIBI
Get car insurance on bonkers.ie
You can now get car insurance from some of Ireland's leading providers on bonkers.ie.
So if you're looking to cut the cost of your premium, we can help!
Before getting a quote, there are a few things you'll need to have to hand:
- Your driving licence - which includes your all important driver number
- The name of your current insurer and the expiry date of your policy
- Your no-claims discount (NCD) PIN code - this is included by your insurer in your renewal letter
- Your claims history (if applicable)
- The number of penalty points you have (if applicable)
Read our helpful guides for motorists
Wondering what optional extras you should include with your car insurance? Our guide will help you tailor your insurance cover to suit your personal needs.
Ensuring your car is secure should be a top priority for all motorists. Especially as rates of theft are on the increase. Here we outline seven helpful tips to help keep your car safe from thieves.
Dashcams are becoming an increasingly popular car accessory for drivers in Ireland. Here's what to consider before splashing out on a device.
Have you been refused car insurance? Here are six reasons why this could be the case.
