House Passes Driver’s License Reciprocation with Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed legislation today that gives driver’s license reciprocation to residents of Ireland and allows Oklahoma residents to drive in Ireland for up to 12 months without getting an international driving permit.

House Bill 2297, by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, passed the House on St. Patrick’s Day, which commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish.

The idea for the legislation came from discussions Hilbert had with Irish elected officials when he was visiting the country last summer.

“Reciprocal agreements with other countries gives us an opportunity to encourage tourism and trade between the United States and other friendly countries,” said Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This legislation will make it easier for Oklahomans who go to Ireland to drive locally and for visitors to come to Oklahoma from Ireland. This is another avenue of promoting tourism in our great state.”

Oklahoma has reciprocal agreements with four other countries already: Germany, France, South Korea and Taiwan.

The bill passed the House with a vote of 82-3 and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.