Major change moves closer for Irish motorists as familiar car requirement to be scrapped
The legislation which would abolish the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc has now been introduced in the Oireachtas
A major change for Irish motorists has moved a step closer after legislation that would bring an end to the familiar paper motor tax disc was formally introduced in the Oireachtas.
The National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 reached First Stage last Friday, September 4.
Among the changes contained in the Bill is the abolition of the requirement for motorists to display a paper motor tax disc on their vehicle.
While plans to do away with the physical disc have previously been announced by the Government, the introduction of the legislation marks another step towards the change becoming law.
Motorists would still be required to pay motor tax as normal. However, once the relevant legislation is passed and brought into effect, drivers would no longer need to display the familiar paper disc on their windscreen.
The move forms part of efforts to modernise Ireland's vehicle and driver systems, with vehicle information increasingly available to authorities electronically.
The National Vehicle and Driver File contains vehicle and driver information, while Gardaí already have access to information from the system for roadside enforcement purposes.
However, motorists should not remove their tax discs just yet, as the existing rules remain in place while the Bill makes its way through the Oireachtas.
The new legislation also contains another significant change for motorists whose vehicles are not being used on public roads.
Currently, a vehicle can be declared off the road for a period of between three and 12 months.
The Bill would allow motorists to make an open-ended declaration that a vehicle is off the road, rather than having to renew the declaration while the vehicle remains unused.
A number of road safety measures are also included in the legislation.
It would provide for the sharing of road collision data, allowing local authorities to request, receive and process collision information from An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority when carrying out their functions as road authorities.
Another provision would allow a charge of careless driving to be considered in circumstances where a jury acquits a person of dangerous driving.
The Government previously said the changes to the National Vehicle and Driver File would deliver a number of improvements and efficiencies for drivers.
The Bill must now progress through the remaining stages of the Oireachtas before being enacted, meaning motorists must continue to comply with the current requirement to display their motor tax disc in the meantime.