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Vehicle Licensing and Registrations

This publication has been compiled during the COVID-19 crisis. The results contained in this publication reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation.

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  • There was a total of 2,860,984 vehicles under current licence in 2020, of which 2,215,127 (77.4%) were private cars.
  • The number of new cars licensed for the first time in 2020 fell by 28,996 vehicles compared with 2019.
  • Of the new private cars licensed for the first time in 2020, 58.3% had an engine capacity of between 1401 and 2000cc, and 94.4% were in either the A or B CO2 emission bands.
  • In 2020, 5% of new private cars licensed were electric (3,940) compared with 3% in 2019.

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

Table 1.1 Number of mechanically propelled vehicles under current licence by taxation class on 31 December, 2000-2020
            Public service vehicles   
YearPrivate carsMotor cyclesGoods vehiclesTractors1, excavators, dumpers, etcSmallLargeExempt vehiclesOthers1Total
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
20182,106,36940,198355,27384,40221,43310,94431,10667,9972,717,722
20192,174,77942,492366,76085,34521,76911,42431,80871,4622,805,839
20202,215,12744,819377,89087,59219,26910,37231,94073,9752,860,984
Source: Department of Transport
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 2020
Licensing authorityPrivate cars   Motor cyclesGoods vehiclesTractors    PSV vehiclesExempt vehiclesOther classesTotal
Carlow29,7986476,3011,7612883021,71540,812
Cavan34,3605329,1682,8353264201,54449,185
Clare59,9421,1199,5453,1105558432,73577,849
Cork269,6025,97743,58510,3392,4033,90111,379347,186
Donegal69,37283716,1753,2769159684,28795,830
Dublin554,47013,16678,2261,35113,17710,8759,273680,538
Galway120,1421,73021,2085,2041,5252,1765,602157,587
Kerry74,3571,22712,4374,0488228774,39398,161
Kildare111,9832,55118,0842,2221,1489313,456140,375
Kilkenny46,8011,0268,6293,5455325072,22363,263
Laois37,2425746,6062,8694013901,49949,581
Leitrim15,4722013,65497917726994621,698
Limerick92,3311,79715,0983,5749641,3153,829118,908
Longford18,2702614,3521,3041882521,03325,660
Louth55,8791,0138,5431,0557647231,35369,330
Mayo62,87475513,6134,8355531,2282,66586,523
Meath96,9992,04416,6642,8781,2748282,980123,667
Monaghan27,7253678,7661,7352993131,19840,403
Offaly36,0647376,9652,4063883312,23249,123
Roscommon33,1063496,5272,4962304891,92745,124
Sligo30,3644556,4451,6342625461,64941,355
Tipperary82,7111,67914,9255,3995959713,827110,107
Waterford59,6981,5398,2522,0764056022,23674,808
Westmeath43,3167268,6592,1463543861,67457,261
Wexford79,8001,72114,8834,1825578164,134106,093
Wicklow72,4491,78910,5801,5865396812,93390,557
Total2,215,12744,819377,89078,84529,64131,94082,7222,860,984
Source: Department of Transport
Table 1.3 All vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class, 2011- 2020
             Number
Taxation class2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
New vehicles
Private cars86,93276,25671,34892,361121,110141,931127,045121,157113,30584,309
Goods vehicles11,18810,85511,02416,25422,93928,05124,10125,45924,64521,495
Tractors1,7311,9964,4032,1861,9861,9341,8102,0432,1372,190
Motor cycles1,1029558789601,2441,5461,4311,5561,8481,709
Exempt vehicles4,0143,9303,9554,7625,2346,2075,8545,9105,9765,692
Public service vehicles297531378517761957942976944379
of which          
Small195275160237343500505418435212
Large102256218280418457437558509167
Machines or contrivances294409606399409444424472547415
Other classes203161295213167223233292346325
Total new vehicles105,76195,09392,887117,652153,850181,293161,840157,865149,748116,514
           
Used (Imported) vehicles
Private cars41,14938,46949,76252,86347,21770,13892,50899,456108,89578,541
Goods vehicles5,2274,7317,5339,0748,35210,92514,16814,85915,15211,753
Tractors2,5371,7816,5982,3571,7871,9082,4532,1982,5952,648
Other classes6,1034,9597,2635,9745,3176,6328,8899,36110,5545,146
Total used (imported) vehicles55,01649,94071,15670,26862,67389,603118,018125,874137,196101,472
           
Total all classes160,777145,033164,043187,920216,523270,896279,858283,739286,944217,986
Source: CSO
Table 1.4 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class and body type, 2020
Body typeTaxation classTotal
Private carsGoods vehiclesTractorsMotor cyclesPublic service vehiclesMachines or contrivancesExempt vehiclesOther classes
SmallLarge
Agricultural tractor001,9950000902,004
Ambulance20000001090111
Articulated tractor unit09930000020995
Box van144510000000465
Bus200001570198186
Chassis cab0200000002
Convertible (inc. sports cover)570000001058
Crew cab92610000070277
Estate6,148100140029006,453
Excavator/digger/trench digger000000580058
Fire Engine000000010010
Fork lift000000210021
Hatchback24,809100300756025,569
Jeep3,12250060021303,346
Loading shovel00000015520157
MPV20,479150088002,091822,681
Minibus610001006427
Moped000440000044
Motor caravan130000001201215
Motorcycle0001,5500003011,581
Pick up751,1010000011201,288
Recovery vehicle050000180023
Refuse collector063000002065
Saloon11,7080007300508112,290
Scooter000950000095
Sports/coupe (non convertible)22000000050225
Station wagon/jeep16,59540028001,224017,851
Telescopic handler006900011000179
Van92717,4510000377018,458
Other1231,1411262000502181021,780
Total84,30921,4952,1901,7092121674155,692325116,514
Source: CSO
Table 1.5 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time by taxation class and type of fuel, 2020
Taxation classType of fuelTotal
PetrolDieselElectricPetrol and electric hybridDiesel and electric hybridPetrol or Diesel plug-in hybrid electricOther
Private cars31,50736,2083,9409,7874652,402084,309
Goods vehicles2120,977443120141921,495
Tractors892,101000002,190
Motor cycles1,67403400101,709
Exempt vehicles1,2883,67122589447805,692
Public service vehicles3316356010379
of which        
Small3149356010212
Large016700000167
Machines or contrivances141310000415
Other classes332200000325
Total new vehicles34,58664,0084,44310,4335292,49619116,514
Source: CSO
Table 1.6 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by type of fuel, 2015 - 2020
Type of fuel201520162017201820192020
Petrol32,96339,47239,39146,77645,76131,507
Diesel86,10399,30682,49265,81453,20136,208
Electric4763926231,2223,4433,940
Petrol and electric hybrid1,3542,4744,2796,6299,5789,787
Diesel and electric hybrid864111465
Petrol or diesel plug-in hybrid electric1222832597151,3212,402
Other600000
Total121,110141,931127,045121,157113,30584,309
Source: CSO
Table 1.7 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc), 2011 - 2020
Engine cubic capacity2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Up to 900 cc821881704627266781,2402,4396,3274,373
901-1000 cc3,2773,1324,0245,6288,97811,75013,66620,54521,78618,039
1001-1300 cc16,61512,31111,82314,46317,27018,24416,11513,8728,7665,313
1301-1400 cc9,5828,2897,3858,71511,15911,6068,8207,0026,2293,092
1401-1500 cc9,6486,3216,4779,94616,14524,98122,75020,33518,66015,155
1501-1600 cc22,51521,06618,88323,19930,83929,59924,23120,41418,70211,448
1601-2000 cc20,82820,22918,19323,80528,95438,16734,05730,55626,81022,526
2001-2400 cc3,2023,4923,3114,5675,1184,4794,1833,4202,3591,025
Over 2400 cc1,1831,2281,0821,5761,9212,4271,9832,5743,6663,338
Total86,93276,25671,34892,361121,110141,931127,045121,157113,30584,309
Source: CSO
Table 1.8 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by type of fuel and CO2 emission band, 2020
Type of fuelCO2 emission bandTotal
ABCDEFGNot available1
Petrol21,9428,524631304373626731,507
Diesel22,32110,2271,961928348381261636,208
Electric3,94000000003,940
Petrol and electric hybrid9,434312254111009,787
Diesel and electric hybrid4650000000465
Petrol or diesel plug-in hybrid electric2,40001011002,402
Total60,50219,0632,6181,236387428522384,309
Source: CSO
1 CO2 emission bands are only available for vehicles registered under VAT category A.
Table 1.9 Number of new private cars licensed for the first time by most popular make, 2020
RankingNew Used (imported)
MakeNumber MakeNumber
1Volkswagen10,253 Volkswagen8,905
2Toyota9,475 Audi8,505
3Hyundai7,227 Ford8,172
4Skoda6,887 BMW7,981
5Ford6,493 Mercedes Benz6,048
6Kia5,112 Hyundai4,930
7Nissan5,096 Nissan4,595
8Peugeot4,438 Toyota4,467
9Renault4,155 Skoda2,381
10Audi3,532 Vauxhall2,346
11Seat3,100 Honda2,320
12BMW3,022 Kia2,295
13Mercedes Benz2,825 Volvo1,939
14Dacia1,931 Peugeot1,866
15Opel1,912 Renault1,681
16Mazda1,223 Citroen1,261
17Volvo1,126 Land Rover1,154
18Land Rover1,057 Fiat992
19Citroen981 Mitsubishi985
20Suzuki892 Seat935
Other makes3,572 Other makes4,783
Total84,309 Total78,541
Source: CSO
Table 1.10 Number of new motor cycles licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc) and make, 2020
MakeEngine capacity (cc)Total
Up to 5051 - 125126 - 250251 - 500501 - 750751 - 1000Over 1000
Aprilia30001509
BMW00010721170199
Ducati00001417031
Harley Davidson00002447071
Honda1166189791330406
Hyosung00200002
Kawasaki030284111083
Keeway15440000059
KTM000151015040
Piaggio81601100035
Suzuki27012140120137
Triumph00001730047
Vespa60000006
Yamaha2561149142100288
All other makes847223724050296
Total1444325628349230201,709
Source: CSO
Table 1.11 Number of used (imported) motor cycles licensed for the first time by engine capacity (cc) and make, 2020
MakeEngine capacity (cc)Total
Up to 5051 - 125126 - 250251 - 500501 - 750751 - 1000Over 1000
Aprilia1021219034
BMW10071192120339
Ducati010254480105
Gilera04221009
Harley Davidson0000101340144
Honda40108462483481300920
Kawasaki0226481701200366
KTM04102930350108
Moto Guzzi000089017
Peugeot21010004
Piaggio451061600077
Suzuki1183081264710465
Triumph0001101680170
Vespa43200009
Yamaha65021120204870488
All other makes1726162821210129
Total1172271615841,35194403,384
Source: CSO
Table 1.12 Number of new vehicles licensed for the first time in each licensing authority, 2011 - 2020
Licensing authority2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Carlow 1,3571,1491,1521,4611,8282,2121,9252,0111,7451,525
Cavan1,3151,1531,1121,4051,9272,2962,4071,8811,6711,662
Clare2,3771,8691,7952,4313,3053,7303,2983,3022,7872,589
Cork14,38511,14110,70613,79418,96422,57119,50919,00617,31414,522
Donegal2,5152,1932,0512,7233,6434,2823,4993,2492,8892,777
Dublin34,50134,26833,66842,04854,02162,87058,26557,41859,00340,608
Galway4,5713,7013,6704,4936,4817,2986,2736,1175,2924,746
Kerry2,5082,1931,9532,5543,4204,2183,6513,5363,1722,938
Kildare4,2673,6933,7674,9276,5037,8076,8606,9745,9375,380
Kilkenny2,1431,8641,8252,2132,9233,4952,8692,9312,5132,350
Laois1,4161,1311,1921,3991,8262,1932,0091,9501,7841,628
Leitrim542450445521740893729701569598
Limerick4,8733,7133,3714,4965,6636,9445,9275,5555,1064,640
Longford7236025526558581,031908837746695
Louth2,4692,0671,8242,5683,3933,9323,3683,4413,2372,831
Mayo2,1951,9611,9292,3113,0853,6593,1062,9432,6832,414
Meath3,3982,9332,8543,6825,0066,2905,2395,1574,6174,156
Monaghan1,1109799471,1161,5251,8381,5491,4791,3191,198
Offaly1,3031,2231,2271,4851,9392,4002,0072,0551,7841,612
Roscommon2,3693,2033,7174,2534,8775,0395,1004,4204,9671,514
Sligo1,2461,0639841,2201,5721,8251,5811,5561,4791,387
Tipperary3,3343,0032,7823,4814,4075,2174,4954,4323,8693,518
Waterford3,0292,8012,5303,6364,4575,2315,2834,6504,3032,940
Westmeath 1,8421,6891,7292,0842,5953,7712,6542,5512,3701,985
Wexford 3,6573,0313,1724,1335,3796,1305,7066,1005,4533,550
Wicklow 2,3162,0201,9332,5633,5134,1213,6233,6133,1392,751
Total105,76195,09392,887117,652153,850181,293161,840157,865149,748116,514
Source:CSO
Table 1.13 Number of new tractors licensed for the first time by licensing authority and make, 20191
Licensing authorityMakeTotal
CLAASCase/IHDeutzFendt   John DeereKubotaLandiniMassey- FergusonNew HollandSDFTumosanValtraZetorOther
Carlow510510001050151649
Cavan0212128114400703081
Clare22311612233100203187
Cork17252108112138614316462336
Donegal020070181202111044
Dublin44351764151300011486
Galway18942337225920358127
Kerry6332212020222173294
Kildare1112215115150010761
Kilkenny518213241191400318108
Laois5104374319160030276
Leitrim0110010141021012
Limerick927327741417123113110
Longford03011211430110027
Louth3601122013400101052
Mayo11431191046123024685
Meath10111531722117003218128
Monaghan1100710230010319
Offaly545210009400132384
Roscommon2311736560212241
Sligo0440221563104032
Tipperary15142931423621222015155
Waterford4114513311240011463
Westmeath41128221370131348
Wexford7254933462810026014148
Wicklow4342720810200437
Total128190617445910645393336182385372352,190
Source: CSO
1 Detailed information on agricultural vehicles is published for 2019 in this publication in accordance with Commission Decision 92/157/EEC as upheld on 28 May 1998.
Table 1.14 Value profile of new cars registered, 2020
ValueGross registrationsExempt registrationsNet registrationsNet registrations
NumberNumberNumber%
0-70000000.0
7,001 - 8,0000000.0
8,001 - 13,00042144170.5
13,001 - 14,00041024080.5
14,001 - 15,00038843840.5
15,001 - 20,00010,80021110,58912.6
20,001 - 25,00015,49361614,87717.6
25,001 - 30,00019,8641,07518,78922.3
30,001 - 40,00022,8281,65821,17025.1
40,001 - 50,00011,50480810,69612.7
50,001 - 60,0003,8842043,6804.4
60,001 - 70,000954359191.1
70,001 - 80,000756237330.9
80,001 - 90,000612135990.7
90,001 - 100,00039733940.5
100,001 - 150.00056165550.6
150,001 - 200,000500500.1
200,001 - 250,0007070.0
Over 250,0007070.0
Total188,9364,66284,274100.0
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.
Table 1.15 Age profile of used (imported) cars registered, 2020
AgeGross registrationsExempt registrationsNet registrationsNet registrations
YearsNumberNumberNumber%
11,759501,7092.2
26,6842246,4608.2
38,8892308,65911.0
419,80233519,46724.8
517,01535316,66221.2
69,3283269,00211.5
75,1413004,8416.2
83,7362083,5284.5
92,5971782,4193.1
101,8751571,7182.2
111,1661081,0581.3
12567814860.6
13 years and over2,9073442,5633.3
Total181,4662,89478,572100.0
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.
Table 1.16 Country of last registration of used (imported) cars, 2019 - 2020
CountryNet registrations 2019 Net registrations 2020
Number% Number%
UK106,65795.1 73,83394.0
Japan5,1914.6 4,5495.8
Germany530.0 260.0
Singapore260.0 210.0
Others2200.2 1430.2
Total1112,147100.0 78,572100.0
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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