How to get processed as a Heavy Goods Truck driver in Ireland (HGV truck driver)

This is the absolute basics in summary on the process of how to get set up as a Heavy Goods Truck driver in Ireland

So, you have applied for a job, got a job offer, and you've applied for a work permit and thats approved.... what happens when you land in Ireland?

You would think thats it wouldn't you and you can climb on your truck and off you go.

Nope... more hoops and hurdles... think again! LOTS to do!

It is being reported that SA licence approval for exchange for Heavy Goods drivers is taking around 2 months at present due to delays on the SA side, and you cannot drive legally in Ireland without the medical, licence exchange and the CPC's being done.
Make sure you have spoken to the company or agent for what contingency plans are being made and make sure you have loads of money to live off while you sit and wait this time period without a salary

1) Register at Garda Immigration - How to register at Garda Immigration and Renewals of Residency stamps, The sooner you do this, the sooner the 12 months starts for your family to join you next year!!

2) Setting up Home - From how to find a house, how to avoid housing scams, what is the housing crisis, how to find a home that accepts pets, the RTB and who they are and what they do, how to buy a home, BER ratings, setting up utlity bills, how to use a boiler, gas/ electric/ oil/ solar, pre-pay vs bills, waste removal, getting TV set up, TV licence, Internet and Mobile phones, insurances, and why are utility bills so important

3) PPS number and PSC card - What is a PPS number and how and when can I apply for one?

4) Open a bank Account in Ireland if you haven't already opened a non-resident one from SA - Everything relating to Banking in Ireland

5) Set up your Tax (Revenue) - Everything you need to know about tax and a look at deductions and pensions

6) Register at a Gp and Medical in Ireland - Medical in Ireland, how it works, where to get assistance and Private medical for your family when they arrive

7) Driving in Ireland - exchanging your licence and getting a Medical before you can exchange - Owning a car, exchanging licence, Motor tax, NCT, Car seats, Learner's licence, License codes and categories, Penalty points, Road Rules and Car Insurance

8) Get your CPC - Driver CPC stands for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence and was first introduced across the EU on 9 September 2009 for professional truck drivers.

It is illegal to drive professionally without a Driver CPC card and there are penalties if you do not comply.

New drivers qualify for a Driver CPC card once they complete a four stage testing process and apply for their CPC card. They then have to maintain this qualification by completing one day of Driver CPC training per year every five years (five training days in each five year training cycle).

To get a Certificate of Competency (CPC) qualification to drive a truck professionally, you must first exchange your truck license for an Irish License, and to do that you need a full medical (so to register with a GP above is vital).

The process differs slightly depending on the date of initial issue, that being issue- before 10 September 2009 or after.

If your SA license was issued before 10 September 2009

Applicant must Exchange their driving licence for an Irish one. If the licence is expired by less than one year or does not have a category start date the applicant will need to provide an original letter of entitlement from the relevant licensing authority
If the licence is exchanged for an Irish one that has the same truck category, the applicant will have the right to CPC in Ireland for that category without having to do the two theory tests and CPC vehicle walk-around test.
Complete 35 hours training (five modules for a truck) with an Road Safety Authorty Approved Driver CPC training organisation.
Once training is complete, the applicant must send RSA a completed application form for their CPC qualification card together with photographs
Once RSA receive the application, all data is verified. Once verified and correct, RSA will send the applicant their CPC card.
The CPC card will be valid for five years from the time of completing the necessary steps.
On receipt of your CPC card, the applicant must complete CPC periodic training modules over five years. They must complete one CPC module in a training day every year in an RSA Approved Driver CPC Training Organisation (six days if you need to keep both truck and bus CPC).

If your SA license was issued after 10 September 2009

Exchange your driving licence for an Irish one. As a visitor to Ireland, the applicant can drive on a driving licence from any state outside the EU/EEA for up to one year provided the driving licence is current and valid. However, on taking up 'normal residence in Ireland, the applicant must either exchange your driving licence or apply for a driving licence in Ireland.
Both CPC Truck category theory tests must be completed and passed
Take the CPC practical ‘vehicle walk around’
Once all testing is complete, the applicant must send Road Safety Authority a completed application form for their CPC qualification card together with photographs
Once RSA receive the application, all data is verified. Once verified and correct, RSA will send the applicant their CPC card. The CPC card will be valid for five years from the time of completing the necessary steps.
On receipt of your CPC card, the applicant must complete CPC periodic training modules over five years.
On receipt of their Drivers CPC, the applicant can apply online via NDLS to add a category to their IE driving licence

"Any individual employed as a professional bus or truck driver qualifies for CPC. This is a legal requirement enforced by An Garda Síochána and RSA Transport Officers. Any individual who manages a Road Haulage or Passenger Transport business is legally required to hold a valid CPC in accordance with Road Traffic and Transport Legislation. The certification is provided through the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. At ISM we have CPC Modular Training for professional truck and bus drivers and a CPC Transport Manager course for Road Haulage and Passenger transport managers."

It is not legal for you to enter a truck until the CPC's are done.

You and the company can be heavily fined for it

and if you are involved in an accident you are personally liable

https://www.rsa.ie/services/professional-drivers/cpc/regulations-for-driver-cpc

9) You may need addional depending on the job and requirements which includes a SAFE pass and a Manual Handling cert before you can even go near a truck to actually drive it

10) Once your family arrives 12 months later you need to follow the process General Work permits how to get your family processed when they arrive after 12 months

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book a session with SA2Eire for a coaching session on how to get your life set up and be ready for 12 months later for when your family arrives and what paperwork is to be done then when they arrive

Here is a .pdf from the Irish government confirming the process

Important links:

#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration