08 June 2021
Go to release: Vehicles licensed for the first time May 2021
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (08 June 2021) published Vehicle Licensing figures for May 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 May 2021 was 7,337 compared with 1,490 in May 2020, an increase of 5,847 more cars.
Commenting on the data, Dr Nele van der Wielen, Statistician, said: “Today’s figures from the CSO show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vehicle licensing in Ireland. Despite significant recovery from the immediate impact of initial lockdowns in May 2020, the number of vehicles licensed remains lower than pre-COVID-19 (May 2019) figures. The number of new cars licensed in May 2021 rose by 5,847 vehicles compared with May 2020, but this still represents a 20% decrease on the numbers of new cars licensed in May 2019.
Looking at the first five months of 2021, a total of 54,843 new private cars were licensed, an increase of 17% compared with the same period last year. The number of used (imported) private cars licensed increased by 49% compared with the same period in 2020.”
Further commenting on the results, Dr Nele van der Wielen, said: “The figures further show the increasing popularity of new electric and hybrid cars. Almost a third (32%) of all new cars licensed in the first five months of 2021 were electric and hybrid cars, compared with less than a fifth (19%) of new cars licensed in the first five 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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