Starting the 31st of March 2025, providing your Driver Number and the Driver Numbers of any drivers on your policy will be essential for securing or updating your car insurance. Here's everything you need to know.
What is the New Law?
A new law requires drivers to provide their Driver Number and the Driver Numbers of any drivers on your policy when taking out or renewing Car Insurance policies.
While insurers will fully enforce this legislation starting 31st March 2025, new business customers are already required to provide their Driver Number during the quote process.
Existing customers need to log in to their My123 portal and update their Driver Number details to ensure compliance ahead of the enforcement date.
What Does the New Law Cover?
The legislation mandates that:
- All Car Insurance customers, including named drivers, must provide their Driver Number.
- The validated Driver Number will then be transferred to and stored in the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID), allowing real-time access for enforcement.
This ensures that every driver and vehicle on Irish roads is adequately insured and traceable.
Why Now?
The driver Number requirement addresses key regulatory and operational challenges:
1. Uninsured driving - Uninsured vehicles accounted for an 11% increase in claims in 2023. This initiative aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers.
2. Accurate policy management - Validating Driver Numbers simplifies matching drivers with their insurance policies, reducing administrative errors.
The law ensures that Car Insurance systems align with modern road safety priorities. For further details, check out our Car Advice Centre.
Which Policies Are Affected?
The law applies to:
- New policies - New customers must provide their licence details during the quote process.
- Renewals for existing customers – Existing policyholders must update their Driver Number details via their My123 portal.
- Policies adding named drivers - Named Drivers must also have their Driver Numbers provided and validated.
This requirement ensures consistency across all Car Insurance policies in Ireland.
For more information on policy changes, visit our Making a Change to My Policy page.
Government’s Objectives with the New Legislation
Enforcing this law will enable the government to reinforce its commitment to safe, fair, and transparent road usage for all Drivers. The legislation is designed to:
- Improve road safety - By ensuring all vehicles on Irish roads are insured.
- Support law enforcement - Gardaí will use real-time access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) to detect uninsured vehicles.
Why is This Data Needed?
Requiring drivers to provide their Driver Number is a crucial step toward creating safer roads and a fairer insurance system.
This measure ensures insurers meet national safety goals, and simplifies policy management. It helps tackle the issue of uninsured driving while delivering tangible benefits for law-abiding drivers.
Aligning with Road Safety Standards
Driver Number validation is vital in supporting road safety. Insurers use this information to confirm that all drivers meet legal requirements, ensuring compliance with national legislation.
Accurate driver records contribute to reducing uninsured driving, a significant concern on Irish roads. The Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) further enhances this system, giving Gardaí real-time access to insurance data during roadside checks.
This streamlined process strengthens enforcement capabilities, helping to keep roads safer for everyone.
Supporting Law Enforcement Efforts
Gardaí are better equipped to enforce compliance with the help of this initiative. Access to real-time insurance records through the IMID allows officers to identify uninsured vehicles and uninsured Drivers instantly.
This improved efficiency ensures that non-compliant drivers face appropriate penalties, discouraging uninsured driving. Such visible enforcement builds public trust in the system, reassuring compliant driver that everyone is held to the same standard.
What is a Driver Number and Where to Find It?
The Driver Number is a unique identifier printed on your Irish driving liense or learner permit. It links your driving history and personal details to official records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with insurance and road safety legislation.
You can find this number clearly displayed in section 4(d) of your driving licence or learner permit. It is a 9 digit number that insurers use to validate your details against the National Vehicle and Driver File.
Make sure to have this number handy when updating your insurance policy or adding named drivers to ensure your coverage remains active and compliant with the new legislation.
If you’re unsure where to locate it, check the front of your licence under the heading "Driver Number."
How Does This Law Impact Named Drivers?
The new legislation doesn’t just apply to policyholders, it includes named drivers on Car Insurance policies as well.
To remain compliant, both policyholders and named drivers must ensure all required Driver Number details are provided and up to date. Missing or invalid information could result in disruptions to coverage or delays in claims processing.
- Requirements for Named Drivers
All named drivers on a policy must provide their Driver Number. Without this, insurers cannot validate their details or include them in the policy. This applies to both frequent and occasional drivers.
- Updating Named Driver Information
Policyholders should log into their online account (e.g., My123.ie) to enter or update the Driver number for any named drivers. Changes, such as adding or removing drivers, must be updated promptly to avoid complications with coverage.
- Ensuring Compliance for All Drivers on the Policy
Every driver listed on the policy, whether a primary or named driver, must have their licence validated against the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID). Policies missing valid driver details may face cancellation, delays, or issues at renewal time.
How Can Existing Customers Provide Their Driver Number?
Updating your Driver Number is a quick and straightforward process for existing 123.ie customers. To stay compliant with the new law and avoid any disruptions to your policy, make sure to follow these steps by the required deadline:
- Log in to your account - Visit the My123.ie portal and log in with your username and password. If you haven’t registered yet, it only takes a few minutes to set up an account.
- Navigate to the 'Update My Details' Section - Once logged in, go to the ‘Update My Details’ section in your account dashboard. This is where you’ll manage your driving licence information.
- Enter Your Driver Number - In the designated field, enter the Driver Number found in section 4(d) on your licence. Double-check for accuracy before saving your changes to ensure seamless processing.
- Complete the Update to stay compliant - To renew a policy, make sure your Driver Number is updated. Customers are encouraged to complete this step as early as possible to help compliance and smooth renewals.
Keeping your information up to date ensures your policy remains valid and compliant, protecting you and your vehicle on the road.
For help with logging in or updating your details, check out our FAQ pages or contact our friendly Customer Care team. Don’t delay - log in to My123.ie portal and update your details today!
How Can New Customers Provide Their Driver Number?
Providing your Driver Number as a new customer is simple and can be completed during the quote process. Whether you’re applying online or speaking to our team over the phone, we’ve made it easy to meet the new requirements.
Entering Your Details Online
When completing an online quote through our Car Insurance page, you’ll be prompted to input your Driver Number in the designated field.
This step is integrated into the quote path to ensure your details are validated as part of the application process.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Enter your personal information, such as name, address, and vehicle details.
- When asked, input your Driver Number from section 4(d) on your licence.
- Double-check your details for accuracy before submitting your application.
The system will guide you through the process step by step, making it as straightforward as possible.
Providing Details to Customer Care
If you prefer to get a quote over the phone, our friendly team is ready to help. Call the 123.ie Sales Team, and they’ll guide you through providing your Driver Number during the quote process.
The steps are simple:
- Share your personal and vehicle details with the advisor.
- Provide your Driver Number when prompted.
- Confirm all information to ensure smooth policy setup.
Our advisors are trained to make the process quick and hassle-free, ensuring you meet all requirements with minimal effort.
What Happens If You Don’t Provide Your Driver Number?
Failing to provide your driver number could lead to significant issues for both new and existing Car Insurance customers. Compliance with the new law is essential to ensure uninterrupted coverage and avoid potential legal and financial consequences.
Policy Delays for New Customers
New customers who do not provide their Driver Number will experience delays in the issuance of their insurance policy. Insurers are now required to validate licence details before a policy can be approved.
Without this information, your application cannot proceed, leaving you without the coverage required to drive legally.
Potential Refusal of Insurance Coverage
For new and renewing customers, refusal to provide a valid licence number will result in an outright denial of insurance coverage. Customers are required, under the new law, to provide their Driver Numbers if they wish to purchase or renew a policy.
Non-compliance means insurers cannot meet regulatory requirements, making it impossible to issue or renew your policy.
Increased Vulnerability to Fines and Penalties
Driving without valid insurance is a serious offence under Irish law. If stopped by Gardaí, uninsured drivers face heavy fines, penalty points, or even vehicle impoundment.
Failing to provide your licence number could inadvertently lead to these consequences by leaving you without valid insurance.
Stay Covered, Stay Informed
Updating your Driver Number is a simple step that ensures you remain protected and compliant with the new insurance legislation. Acting now avoids unnecessary delays or complications, keeping your policy active and your coverage intact.
At 123.ie, we’re committed to making insurance straightforward and stress-free. By providing clear guidance and an easy update process, we aim to give you peace of mind while staying fully aligned with the latest legislation.
If you haven’t updated your Driver Number yet, log in to your account on My123.ie to make the changes.
For any questions or assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Care team, they’re always happy to help!
Common FAQs About Providing Your Driver Number
Knowing about the new requirement to provide your Driver Number is important for ensuring a smooth insurance experience. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this new law.
Is My Licence Number Stored Securely?
Yes, your Driver Number is stored securely. At 123.ie, we follow strict data protection legislation to ensure that all personal information, including your licence number, is handled safely.
Your data is encrypted and stored in compliance with GDPR requirements, giving you peace of mind that your information is secure.
What Happens If I Provide an Incorrect Licence Number?
Providing an incorrect licence number could result in delays or errors in processing your policy. Insurers need accurate information to validate your details with the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID).
If you realise you’ve entered the wrong number, log in to your account to correct it as soon as possible or contact us for assistance.
Will This Law Apply to Foreign Licences?
Yes, the legislation applies to foreign Driver Number as well. If you hold a non-Irish licence, you must still provide your Driver Number when taking out or renewing a Car Insurance policy in Ireland.
