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Vehicle Licensing and Registrations

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  • There was a total of 2,675,879 vehicles under current licence in 2017, of which 2,066,112 (77.2%) were private cars.
  • Of the 2,066,112 private cars under licence, 127,045 were new cars licensed for the first time in 2017.
  • Of the new private cars licensed for the first time in 2017, 63.8% had an engine capacity of between 1401 and 2000cc, and 95.7% were in either the A or B CO2 emission bands.

For further information on vehicle make and models, please check out the CSO's new interactive tool for Ireland's Top Motors here.

Table 1.1 Number of mechanically propelled vehicles under current licence by taxation class on 31 December, 1997-2017
            Public service vehicles   
YearPrivate carsMotor cyclesGoods vehiclesTractors1, excavators, dumpers, etcSmallLargeExempt vehiclesOthers1Total
19971,134,42924,424158,15878,40510,3405,84510,33610,3931,432,330
19981,196,90124,398170,86678,04711,2496,09611,74811,5481,510,853
19991,269,24526,677188,81475,59113,0766,56412,24815,9411,608,156
20001,319,25030,638205,57573,80613,6376,95713,86418,4941,682,221
20011,384,70432,913219,51073,71916,5477,08414,96520,2421,769,684
20021,447,90833,147233,06973,95618,2527,09016,18620,4381,850,046
20031,507,10635,094251,13076,42519,8567,39217,18523,2411,937,429
20041,582,83334,854268,08276,69720,7447,43018,84726,8202,036,307
20051,662,15734,300286,54876,30721,8887,62520,32129,5342,138,680
20061,778,86134,927318,60478,52023,2847,99722,11732,0832,296,393
20071,882,90137,178345,87480,23926,6548,45124,76135,5062,441,564
20081,924,28139,409351,30779,61329,0538,91126,44138,5532,497,568
20091,902,42939,552343,94075,31828,2848,55626,95442,6272,467,660
20101,872,71538,145327,09671,45726,6808,24527,09244,9572,416,387
20111,887,81036,582320,96671,67725,1298,27627,76946,9472,425,156
20121,882,55035,106309,21969,96124,1808,26627,45546,4862,403,223
20131,910,16536,623317,84999,12222,9648,48827,68259,6642,482,557
20141,943,86836,573317,37894,66922,3738,80228,03363,6262,515,322
20151,985,13036,974330,54191,88221,9779,25928,93665,5952,570,294
20162,026,97738,023342,25989,48221,6759,84130,11266,5892,624,958
20172,066,11239,873349,14389,36621,34510,37130,84368,8262,675,879
Source: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
1 2013 data for these categories were inflated by the three month transition period for motor tax gapping provided for in the Non-use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013.
Table 1.2 Number of mechanically propelled vehicles by taxation class and licensing authority on 31 December 2017
Licensing authorityPrivate cars   Motor cyclesGoods vehiclesTractors    PSV vehiclesExempt vehiclesOther classesTotal
Carlow27,8715666,0861,7843092851,62638,527
Cavan31,0984237,9702,7933403961,51544,535
Clare55,6449329,3013,2565858052,68373,206
Cork252,0745,44541,92010,4072,6163,80610,538326,806
Donegal63,53576414,5893,4109869794,33188,594
Dublin530,30512,63369,7241,46614,24910,3248,624647,325
Galway111,2671,47620,5675,3971,4972,0685,476147,748
Kerry69,4621,06711,9034,1049738864,17092,565
Kildare100,7712,14415,9232,2441,3189243,080126,404
Kilkenny43,3448738,0933,5305395162,12659,021
Laois33,7135065,9712,8423893691,49545,285
Leitrim14,0411573,3481,01517727698019,994
Limerick87,8061,49814,3363,5699881,2343,540112,971
Longford16,7652153,8741,3111892431,01923,616
Louth50,8768678,0801,1037967431,23663,701
Mayo57,88061212,9405,0955981,2022,37880,705
Meath85,7451,66914,6712,7541,3368262,548109,549
Monaghan25,3523037,9801,9332923261,19637,382
Offaly33,4356856,4822,4933793162,14245,932
Roscommon32,9163026,4812,5962484891,95144,983
Sligo28,3104045,8911,6732955261,61938,718
Tipperary76,6511,39913,8365,4395989893,517102,429
Waterford56,3461,2717,9632,1754336082,06570,861
Westmeath40,0715977,8422,2694163401,53053,065
Wexford73,4921,50113,8874,1285767253,74398,052
Wicklow67,3421,5649,4851,6885946422,59083,905
Total2,066,11239,873349,14380,47431,71630,84377,7182,675,879
Source: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

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Table 1.3 All vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class, 2008 - 2017
             Number
Taxation class2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
New vehicles
Private cars146,47054,43284,90786,93276,25671,34892,361121,110141,931127,045
Goods vehicles31,45910,05110,51011,18810,85511,02416,25422,93928,05124,101
Tractors4,1541,8831,3591,7311,9964,4032,1861,9861,9341,810
Motor cycles3,1941,8791,3211,1029558789601,2441,5461,431
Exempt vehicles6,2863,6904,2074,0143,9303,9554,7625,2346,2075,854
Public service vehicles1,614493306297531378517761957942
of which          
Small893190193195275160237343500505
Large721303113102256218280418457437
Machines or contrivances906409222294409606399409444424
Other classes734288244203161295213167223233
Total new vehicles194,81773,125103,076105,76195,09392,887117,652153,850181,293161,840
           
Used (Imported) vehicles
Private cars60,09149,46439,10341,14938,46949,76252,86347,21770,13892,508
Goods vehicles13,13313,7618,2075,2274,7317,5339,0748,35210,92514,168
Tractors3,4122,8452,1942,5371,7816,5982,3571,7871,9082,453
Other classes11,10410,1947,8386,1034,9597,2635,9745,3176,6328,889
Total used (imported) vehicles87,74076,26457,34255,01649,94071,15670,26862,67389,603118,018
           
Total all classes282,557149,389160,418160,777145,033164,043187,920216,523270,896279,858
Source: CSO

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Table 1.4 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class and body type, 2017
Body typeTaxation classTotal
Private carsGoods vehiclesTractorsMotor cyclesPublic service vehiclesMachines or contrivancesExempt vehiclesOther classes
SmallLarge
Agricultural tractor001,71900001611,736
Ambulance000000093093
Articulated tractor unit09970000000997
Box van13400000010342
Bus13100041002017461
Chassis cab022000000022
Convertible (inc. sports cover)17500000000175
Crew cab1881,556000007901,823
Estate12,6522006000515013,229
Excavator/digger/trench digger000000710071
Fire Engine000000010010
Fork lift000000520052
Hatchback38,2971002000769139,088
Jeep5,45240060026305,725
Loading shovel00000011400114
MPV32,3161100226002,066234,621
Minibus1000002703545
Moped000440000044
Motor caravan20000003124129
Motorcycle0001,2660001501,281
Pick up37968000001601,021
Recovery vehicle080000120020
Refuse collector059000002061
Rigid0400000105
Saloon25,18400017000958026,312
Scooter00011600000116
Sports/coupe (non convertible)783000000170800
Station wagon/jeep10,7551002000719011,495
Telescopic handler04340009500133
Van1,14218,88700003153020,185
Other381,2365753077135831,634
Total127,04524,1011,8101,4315054374245,854233161,840
Source: CSO

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Table 1.5 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class and type of fuel, 2017
Taxation classType of fuelTotal
PetrolDieselElectricPetrol and electric hybridDiesel and electric hybridPetrol or Diesel plug-in hybrid electricOther
Private cars39,39182,4926234,27912590127,045
Goods vehicles1124,05532100224,101
Tractors101,800000001,810
Motor cycles1,41324110011,431
Exempt vehicles1,1214,55111790205,854
Public service vehicles15910215000942
of which        
Small15473215000505
Large043700000437
Machines or contrivances042220000424
Other classes322901000233
Total new vehicles41,964114,4616644,48612613161,840
Source: CSO

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Table 1.6 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by type of fuel, 2012 - 2017
Type of fuel201220132014201520162017
Petrol17,78818,96423,41732,96339,47239,391
Diesel56,52051,77267,74086,10399,30682,492
Electric16351222476392623
Petrol and electric hybrid5915559531,3542,4744,279
Diesel and electric hybrid0018641
Petrol or diesel plug-in hybrid electric000119283259
Petrol and Ethanol1,19462000
Other0026900
Total76,25671,34892,361121,110141,931127,045
Source: CSO

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Table 1.7 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc), 2008 - 2017
Engine cubic capacity2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Up to 900 cc1032634821881704627266781,240
901-1000 cc4,5942,0963,4353,2773,1324,0245,6288,97811,75013,666
1001-1300 cc16,9217,91117,39016,61512,31111,82314,46317,27018,24416,115
1301-1400 cc39,51210,10210,6009,5828,2897,3858,71511,15911,6068,820
1401-1500 cc8,6245,48210,8019,6486,3216,4779,94616,14524,98122,750
1501-1600 cc28,0457,47519,08622,51521,06618,88323,19930,83929,59924,231
1601-2000 cc38,02018,83819,37120,82820,22918,19323,80528,95438,16734,057
2001-2400 cc4,2721,7412,9953,2023,4923,3114,5675,1184,4794,183
Over 2400 cc6,3797611,1951,1831,2281,0821,5761,9212,4271,983
Total146,47054,43284,90786,93276,25671,34892,361121,110141,931127,045
Source: CSO

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Table 1.8 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by type of fuel and CO2 emission band, 2017
Type of fuelCO2 emission bandTotal
ABCDEFGNot available1
Petrol26,39011,830808208815717039,391
Diesel66,15012,0442,607739808100113382,492
Electric6230000000623
Petrol and electric hybrid4,0841887000004,279
Diesel and electric hybrid100000001
Petrol or diesel plug-in hybrid electric2590000000259
Total97,50724,0623,4229478891572833127,045
Source: CSO
1 CO2 emission bands are only available for vehicles registered under VAT category A.

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Table 1.9 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by most popular make, 2017
RankingNew Used (imported)
MakeNumber MakeNumber
1Volkswagen 13,609 Ford 12,531
2Toyota 12,207 Volkswagen 12,398
3Ford 11,660 Audi 7,995
4Hyundai 11,127 Toyota 6,999
5Nissan 9,954 Vauxhall 5,901
6Skoda 8,613 Hyundai 5,818
7Renault 8,382 BMW 5,742
8Kia 6,812 Nissan 5,043
9Opel 6,474 Mercedes Benz 4,165
10Audi 5,351 Peugeot 3,414
11Mercedes Benz 4,619 Kia 2,861
12BMW 4,487 Citroen 2,468
13Peugeot 3,797 Skoda 2,375
14Dacia 3,464 Honda 2,259
15Seat 3,345 Renault 2,102
16Mazda 2,585 Volvo 1,938
17Volvo 1,785 Mazda 1,508
18Citroen 1,429 Seat 1,153
19Suzuki 1,303 Lexus 1,031
20Honda 1,244 Mini 977
Other makes4,798 Other makes3,830
Total127,045 Total92,508
Source: CSO

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Table 1.10 Number of new motor cycles licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc) and make, 2017
MakeEngine capacity (cc)Total
Up to 5051 - 125126 - 250251 - 500501 - 750751 - 1000Over 1000
Aprilia00000000
BMW20011486135238
Ducati00010201435
Gilera00010001
Harley Davidson000013234480
Honda1995215055544298
Hyosung01201004
Kawasaki04571571755
Keeway16326000054
KTM0123401525
Peugeot00000000
Piaggio1631400024
Suzuki19983261415166
Triumph00002342864
Yamaha3545728434210210
All other makes68526296312177
Total157332581371702832941,431
Source: CSO

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Table 1.11 Number of used (imported) motor cycles licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc) and make, 2017
MakeEngine capacity (cc)Total
Up to 5051 - 125126 - 250251 - 500501 - 750751 - 1000Over 1000
Aprilia613011421358
BMW20112168221314
Ducati000112213367
Harley Davidson0000198595
Honda351144459257215138862
Kawasaki0431281235294332
KTM0121418181871
Moto Guzzi000032914
Peugeot45000009
Piaggio281751900069
Suzuki11613312788277498
Triumph0000224671139
Vespa362000011
Yamaha441919184112102471
All other makes31442932111416177
Total1142611362059446608673,187
Source: CSO

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Table 1.12 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time in each licensing authority, 2008 - 2017
Licensing authority2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Carlow 2,6199591,3711,3571,1491,1521,4611,8282,2121,925
Cavan2,6769291,2851,3151,1531,1121,4051,9272,2962,407
Clare4,4701,4512,3562,3771,8691,7952,4313,3053,7303,298
Cork25,02610,03114,54414,38511,14110,70613,79418,96422,57119,509
Donegal4,4651,8282,9092,5152,1932,0512,7233,6434,2823,499
Dublin60,15924,07030,99734,50134,26833,66842,04854,02162,87058,265
Galway8,4032,9404,5604,5713,7013,6704,4936,4817,2986,273
Kerry4,5131,6942,7052,5082,1931,9532,5543,4204,2183,651
Kildare8,6972,9024,1524,2673,6933,7674,9276,5037,8076,860
Kilkenny3,9101,4172,0722,1431,8641,8252,2132,9233,4952,869
Laois3,0349741,4081,4161,1311,1921,3991,8262,1932,009
Leitrim940355529542450445521740893729
Limerick8,5773,4574,4954,8733,7133,3714,4965,6636,9445,927
Longford1,3815196777236025526558581,031908
Louth4,7251,8182,5622,4692,0671,8242,5683,3933,9323,368
Mayo4,3141,5862,2932,1951,9611,9292,3113,0853,6593,106
Meath7,6412,5533,5843,3982,9332,8543,6825,0066,2905,239
Monaghan2,0717191,1381,1109799471,1161,5251,8381,549
Offaly3,0389521,4171,3031,2231,2271,4851,9392,4002,007
Roscommon3,2771,4492,1422,3693,2033,7174,2534,8775,0395,100
Sligo2,3599071,2801,2461,0639841,2201,5721,8251,581
Tipperary6,5662,2763,3883,3343,0032,7823,4814,4075,2174,495
Waterford6,4041,9252,9853,0292,8012,5303,6364,4575,2315,283
Westmeath 3,1471,1402,0411,8421,6891,7292,0842,5953,7712,654
Wexford 7,1212,4813,6363,6573,0313,1724,1335,3796,1305,706
Wicklow 5,2841,7932,5502,3162,0201,9332,5633,5134,1213,623
Total194,81773,125103,076105,76195,09392,887117,652153,850181,293161,840
Source:CSO

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Table 1.13 Number of new tractors licensed for the first time by licensing authority and make, 20161
Licensing authorityMakeTotal
CLAASCase/IHDeutzFendt   John DeereKubotaLandiniMassey- FergusonNew HollandSDFValtraZetorOther
Carlow4062900410042344
Cavan3010532161260342
Clare505126403311017295
Cork230764943355307734228
Donegal010281312151151665
Dublin205163019200101067
Galway1111242670241712919133
Kerry5020170020134611179
Kildare6023141010140101263
Kilkenny70432740151911217100
Laois5081150219100011071
Leitrim000041131051016
Limerick607091497024756
Longford110080061020120
Louth1002501750031943
Mayo318195612202182096
Meath130413313141922013105
Monaghan201070096000126
Offaly41205001131003865
Roscommon7012504417024248
Sligo003020195444133
Tipperary141503376243442322155
Waterford4264801660201958
Westmeath82211112118213658
Wexford806112729182105110118
Wicklow20529001110002950
Total144101024737745483613742372662651,934
Source: CSO
1 Detailed information on agricultural vehicles is published for 2016 in this publication in accordance with Commission Decision 92/157/EEC as upheld on 28 May 1998.

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Table 1.14 Value profile of new cars registered, 2017
ValueGross registrationsExempt registrationsNet registrationsNet registrations
NumberNumberNumber%
0-70000000.0
7,001 - 8,0000000.0
8,001 - 13,0002,903152,8882.3
13,001 - 14,0002,126142,1121.7
14,001 - 15,0003,861523,8093.0
15,001 - 20,00022,15250321,64917.1
20,001 - 25,00029,54597628,56922.6
25,001 - 30,00031,1011,32229,77923.5
30,001 - 40,00024,6511,48023,17118.3
40,001 - 50,0008,8215088,3136.6
50,001 - 60,0003,8551233,7322.9
60,001 - 70,0001,013389750.8
70,001 - 80,000684136710.5
80,001 - 90,00032243180.3
90,001 - 100,00029232890.2
100,001 - 150.00031333100.2
150,001 - 200,000330330.0
200,001 - 250,0008080.0
Over 250,0003120.0
Total1131,6835,055126,628100.0
Source: Revenue Commissioners
1 Licensing and registration are different processes. A vehicle is licensed when a valid motor tax disc is issued for the first time whereas registration occurs when a vehicle gets its licence plate (registration number) for the first time.

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Table 1.15 Age profile of used (imported) cars registered, 2017
AgeGross registrationsExempt registrationsNet registrationsNet registrations
YearsNumberNumberNumber%
11,907781,8292.0
26,6382526,3867.0
39,1643068,8589.7
419,17634718,82920.7
515,69942415,27516.8
611,51534011,17512.3
78,6363288,3089.1
87,3522667,0867.8
95,1712304,9415.4
103,9761873,7894.2
111,2741801,0941.2
129051267790.9
13 years and over3,0433592,6842.9
Total194,4563,42391,033100.0
Source: Revenue Commissioners
1 Licensing differs from registration in that a vehicle is licensed when a valid motor tax disc is issued for the first time. Registration occurs when a vehicle gets its licence plate (registration number) for the first time.

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Table 1.16 Country of last registration of used (imported) cars, 2016 - 2017
CountryNet registrations 2016 Net registrations 2017
Number% Number%
UK66,48795.9 88,49397.2
Japan2,5593.7 2,2622.5
Germany300.0 410.1
USA340.1 320.0
Others1910.3 2050.2
Total169,301100.0 91,033100.0
Source: Revenue Commissioners
1 Licensing differs from registration in that a vehicle is licensed when a valid motor tax disc is issued for the first time. Registration occurs when a vehicle gets its licence plate (registration number) for the first time.

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