The law, coming into effect on 31 March 2025, will also require all insurers, and intermediaries acting on their behalf, to ensure driver number data is collected by them and validated against the Department of Transport’s National Vehicle and Driver File.

This validation must be done prior to the issue of a policy of motor insurance, and the data must subsequently be transferred to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID).

Insurers and intermediaries acting on their behalf can apply to the Department of Transport for access to the driver number validation service and, once approved, will sign up to a data sharing agreement.

The key aim of the IMID is to remove uninsured drivers from Irish roads. An Garda Síochána have access to the IMID through their mobility devices, and can currently detect drivers operating without insurance on Irish roads.

When the legislation comes into effect, validated driver numbers will also be available to Garda members at the roadside.

Paula Hilman, An Garda Síochána’s assistant commissioner for roads policing and community engagement, said: “For gardaí, having access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database on their Garda mobility devices puts them in a stronger position to detect those breaking the law by driving without insurance.

“The additional feature of having a person’s driver number data available to gardaí through the Irish Motor Insurance Database will further strengthen our ability to keep road users safe.

“This new development underscores the considerable progress that is being achieved when we improve the technology available to members of An Garda Síochána, when we work in partnership with stakeholders and share data.”

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of Insurance Ireland, said: “Insurance Ireland’s members have supported this important government initiative to deliver the Irish Motor Insurance Database, allowing gardaí to check the insurance status of any vehicle by scanning its registration plate.

“The inclusion of driver numbers in the process is a further enabler of the system following the successful roll-out of the first two phases of the project.

“With an 11 per cent growth in claims in 2023 caused by uninsured vehicles reported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland, increased detection of uninsured vehicles is more important than ever.

“Every uninsured driving claim is adding to the premiums of law-abiding drivers. Working together, we will succeed in identifying these drivers and ensure they face the rigours of the law.”

She added: “In advance of the commencement of the new legislation, Insurance Ireland members have been making significant progress in collecting driver numbers from policy holders with over two million already in their back book.

“Communications to their customers will intensify in the coming months and will be complemented with a national awareness campaign.”