09 August 2021
Go to release: Vehicles licensed for the first time July 2021
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (09 August 2021) published Vehicle Licensing figures for July 2021. These figures are based on the National Vehicle and Driver File compiled by the Department of Transport.
Today’s publication shows that the number of new cars licensed for the first time in July 2021 was 20,232 compared with 15,329 in July 2020 and 18,741 in July 2019.
Commenting on the data, Dr Nele van der Wielen, Statistician, said: “Today’s release from the CSO shows that figures for new cars licensed continue to rise above 2019 levels. The number of new cars licensed in July 2021 rose by 4,903 vehicles compared with July 2020 and by 1,491 vehicles compared with July 2019.
In the first seven months of 2021, a total of 80,055 new private cars were licensed, an increase of 24% compared with the same period last year. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the first seven months of 2021 is still visible as figures remain 17% lower over the first seven months of the year in comparison with 2019.
Unlike new cars licensed, the number of used (imported) private cars licensed increased above 2020 levels but not 2019 levels. In the first seven months of 2021, the number of used (imported) private cars licensed increased by 31% compared with the same period in 2020 and is still 25% lower when compared to 2019.
Electric and hybrid cars continue to grow in popularity as 33% of all new cars licensed in the first seven months of 2021 are electric and hybrid cars, compared with 19% of new cars licensed in the first seven months of 2020.”
Vehicle registration
A vehicle is registered when the vehicle registration tax due on the vehicle is paid to the Revenue Commissioners. Revenue then issue a registration number for the vehicle.
Vehicle licensing
A vehicle is licensed when the annual car tax due on the vehicle is paid for the first time.
Dr Nele van der Wielen (+353) 21 453 5379
or email transport@cso.ie
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