Ireland Vehicle Registration Process

How To Register An Imported Vehicle In Ireland

There’s a lot to know about registering a vehicle in another country, especially since they all have different requirements to some extent. Ireland is one of the more accessible countries to ship a car to from the U.S., but you’ll still have to go through a process to get a car or truck registered locally.

The Enrollment Process

In order to register an imported vehicle in Ireland, you must take your vehicle to an inspection station within the first 7 days it is in the country. You have a 30-day period in which to complete the registration process. Registration inspection stations can be found throughout the country, and you can find a local one using this map.

Upon initial vehicle registration in Ireland, you must also pay a vehicle registration tax (VRT). The VRT is calculated based on the vehicle's open market selling price (OMSP) and is assessed at 20-30%. There are exemptions from the VRT if you’re a student, moving to Ireland permanently, or if the vehicle will be in the country for less than one year. All of the above instances do still require you to contact the revenue office.

After paying the VRT, you will receive your local license plates. You’ll then have to get vehicle insurance and pay the motor tax before fully registering. (You can find more information about the VRT percentage in the second section below.)

Click here to visit our international auto-shipping page for Ireland. The information there includes estimated shipping costs to Ireland from the U.S., required import documents, and transport options.

Car Signup Tax & Other Considerations

The VRT (vehicle registration tax) on imported vehicles in Ireland can be relatively high, significantly, since it varies so widely. Unlike many other countries, Ireland assesses the VRT based on CO2 emissions, which means you’ll pay more for vehicles that emit more emissions. The VRT rates range from 14% to 36%, with several incremental levels in between. In the resources section below, you’ll find a tool to help you calculate what you would pay in VRT.

Ireland Auto Enrollment Resources

Vehicle Registration Tax Calculator - A VRT calculation tool to help you estimate what you’ll have to pay. It includes a database of vehicles and motorcycles with many different models.

Ireland National Car Testing Service—The National Car Testing Services website can tell you when your vehicle is due to be tested and the current status of your registration.

If you’re considering shipping a car to Ireland, call us today to learn about our affordable options! We can be reached by phone or email, and we’re happy to provide cost estimates to all interested parties—100% FREE OF CHARGE! No strings attached!