How to Register Your Vehicle in Ireland

Registering your vehicle. You can register your vehicle in Ireland by taking your completed declaration form to any of the 23 Vehicle Registration Offices. If you are bringing in a vehicle to Ireland from abroad, then it needs to be registered by the end of the next working day after its arrival into Ireland. If the vehicle from abroad has been bought used, then you also need to present the vehicle's foreign registration document.

Register by post. You can get the vehicle registration documents from any of the Vehicle Registration Offices and register you vehicle in Ireland by post. When making a postal registration make sure to include a copy of the vehicle's purchase invoice and the completed Vehicle Registration Tax parts four or five. You also need to include the foreign registration certificate or export certificate. Also include a banker's draft or cheque for the amount of Vehicle Registration Tax due.

The Vehicle Registration Tax is calculated by a percentage of the expected retail price of the vehicle, this is known as the Open Market Selling Price and will include taxes. If you have bought your vehicle from a dealer, then the dealer is expected to sort out vehicle registration and tax before you can take delivery of the vehicle. The price that you are paying the dealer will include the price of Vehicle Registration Tax and if the vehicle is new then VAT can also be added.

Once you have registered your vehicle and the tax is paid you will receive a receipt and on this your registration will be supplied. You will need to display your new registration plates within a few days of receiving the number.

There are a few exemptions that exist that mean you would not have to pay Vehicle registration tax; these include transfer of residence, inheritance and transfer of business. Exemptions will also be granted to people who fulfill certain medical criteria that may include disabilities. You should contact your local Vehicle Registration Office for full details.