Expert answer

Hi Michael,

When relocating to Ireland from the UK, you may be eligible for an exemption from Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) under the Transfer of Residence (TOR) relief, provided certain conditions are met. However, the guidelines primarily address the importation of a single vehicle, and information regarding exemptions for multiple vehicles is lacking.

I can only suggest you attempt to send a query to Revenue on this before you bring the vehicles in.

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Hi Farzana,

Unlike the UK, where specific mention of a taxi is required on the signage, in Ireland (including Dublin), taxis are permitted to use all bus lanes. However, technically they are only allowed do so when they are actively working, which typically means carrying a fare-paying passenger. This policy is outlined in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, which state that fare-carrying taxis may operate in bus lanes during the course of business.

There is one exception: contra-flow bus lanes - those that allow buses to travel against the general flow of traffic - are typically restricted to buses only. Taxis are generally not permitted to use contra-flow bus lanes unless explicitly indicated by signage.

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Hi Louise,

It would be €710 a year. See our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide for more information.

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Hi Shane,

When you're taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then the rate goes by the engine size. 

The Wildtrak can be had with 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel engines, while the Ranger can be had with a 2.0-litre diesel or 3.0-litre petrol option. The 2.0-litre engines cost €710 a year to tax and the 3.0-litre units (doesn't matter what fuels them) are €1,494 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.

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Hi Aileen,

Motor tax for cars only goes by the engine size if it was registered before 2008. If the 1.6 you’re talking about is older than that then the annual motor tax should be €514 (assuming the engine size is 1,501-1,600cc).

If the car is newer, then its tax goes by its CO₂ emissions. We’d need to know full details of the car before we could look that up for you, as the engine size and type alone aren’t sufficient.

Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained page for more information.

Expert answer

Hi Jack,

The EV6 has a longer range on a charge of its battery and is more efficient, though that’s probably not a major issue for you as you’ll likely charge up at home every night and - I assume - have plenty of range in either car to keep you going for a shift. I prefer the quality of the Toyota’s cabin and its smoothness on the road, two things it betters the Kia on. There’s not much difference between them in terms of interior space, but the Kia has a larger boot, which may be relevant to your needs.

I highly recommend you go and test drive both cars for yourself, so you get a feel for which you prefer. Do let us know which you go for and why.

Expert answer

Hi John,

That is all correct so long as certain conditions are met. You can check the validity of the Irish VAT number at the European Commission’s VIES VAT number validation page for a start.

You will also need proof from the buyer that the vehicle has been exported. Without that you may be liable to pay VAT on the sale to the UK government, even if you never actually charged the seller VAT.

And overriding all of this of course is the assumption that you are selling the vehicle as a VAT-registered entity with a VAT invoice. It would not apply to a private sale.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

If the car is coming from England, Scotland and Wales then there is no way to avoid the VAT and import duty. For a car coming from Northern Ireland, and to ensure no VAT and import duty are payable, it must have been imported there officially and used by a private owner in the North “for a reasonable period of time” according to Revenue, which is generally accepted to be three months.

Coming off the ferry with a car from the UK, you are unlikely to be stopped or questioned, but that’s not relevant as you have seven days to make an appointment with the NCTS to have the car inspected and 30 days to complete the importation process. Paperwork is required to prove all of the details, including where you bought the car and its entry to Ireland.

Expert answer

Hi Bernadette,

Assuming the car has already been imported into Northern Ireland and registered there, and used by a private individual, then you should only be liable for VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax). This is calculated using the VRT band and something called the OMSP.

The latter - Open Market Selling Price - is the value Revenue in Ireland believes the car to be worth following registration here, and that doesn’t always correlate with the price you actually pay for the car in the North. It varies by year, condition and even the equipment fitted, and it is determined only after you import the car and present it for inspection at an NCT centre. You can estimate what it might be by looking at other similar cars for sale in classifieds, and we’d be happy to help you with that if you give us full details of the car in question.

The VRT band is determined by the car’s official CO₂ emissions rating and again, we can’t tell you that without knowing the full details of the car, especially regarding its engine.

Take a read of our guides on the subject and if you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to post another question. The more specific you are on the car, the more help we will be.

Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland

How much VRT is paid in Ireland?

MINI Clubman reviews

Expert answer

Hi Mathew,

I'd highly recommend you employ a professional conversion company to do all the work and certification documentation for you, as it can be quite an involved process. Certain standards in terms of safety and structure will be necessary and the vehicle is most likely subject to inspection after conversion. The registration details will then have to be altered and of course there will be tax and insurance implications. 

In short, we're not experts in carrying out such a conversion, and we'd advocate for using one to save yourself hassle in the long run.