Leitrim tops national compliance in driver disqualification returns

New statistics from the Department of Transport reveal that Leitrim recorded the highest compliance rate in the country for disqualified drivers surrendering their licences in 2024.

Out of 34 disqualified drivers in the county, six returned their licences to the Road Safety Authority.

Nationwide, compliance is significantly lower. Fewer than one in 10 disqualified drivers handed back their licences, with just 7 percent - or 802 out of 11,468 disqualified learner and fully licenced drivers - doing so.

In neighbouring Sligo, 64 drivers were disqualified last year, with only six surrendering their licences.

Donegal, another neighbouring county, reported 227 disqualifications, with 18 drivers (or 8 percent) complying - slightly above the national average.

The issue is particularly prevalent among learner drivers on provisional licences.

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Of the 2,118 provisional drivers disqualified from the roads since the start 2024, only 84 (3.9 percent) surrendered their licences.

Among fully licenced drivers, the surrender rate stands at 6.9 percent.

Dublin recorded the lowest compliance rate in the country. Of the 3,174 disqualified drivers in the capital, only 113 (3.56 percent) returned their licences to the Road Safety Authority.

The Department of Transport has emphasised the importance of compliance, saying all disqualified motorists must adhere to the conditions of their disqualification.

The figures were provided to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly by the Department of Transport.

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