The UK's Department for Transport has issued advice to motorists travelling across the border in Ireland by car after Brexit.

The department said UK or Northern Ireland driving licence holders will not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit.

But in the event of the UK leaving without a deal, UK and Northern Ireland driving licence holders may need an International Driving Permit in addition to their driving licence to drive in other EU or EEA countries.

Motorists from the Republic of Ireland will not need an IDP to drive in Northern Ireland or Britain after Brexit.

Read more:

Omnibus Bill: 15 areas covered

Brexit bill protects current VAT system for importers

Latest Brexit headlines

However, Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority said that in the event of a no-deal Brexit those motorists living in Ireland who have a UK driving licence may have to swap it for an Irish licence.

Currently those holding a UK licence can drive here without having to exchange their licence.

People are being advised to make the change before 29 March, the date on which the UK leaves the EU.

To exchange your licence you must complete an application form and present this, the correct fee and your UK licence at a National Driver Licence Service centre.

In relation to insurance, the UK and Ireland are currently under the ambit of the EU motor insurance directive, which allows all motor vehicles from any member state to travel within the EU without carrying special documentation to prove that they have cover.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross said recently that "if there is a no-deal Brexit, Irish-registered vehicles entering UK territory, including Northern Ireland, will be required to carry a 'green card', a document which proves that they have motor insurance.

"Likewise UK citizens wishing to take their UK registered motor vehicles into Ireland will also require a green card," he told the Oireachtas Transport Committee on 6 February.

A green card is an internationally recognised insurance document that provides proof of the minimum compulsory motor insurance cover required by the country visited.

Green cards provide a guarantee of insurance for a minimum of 15 days and can remain valid until the expiry date of the motor insurance policy, providing cover for multiple trips.

The Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) and Irish motor insurance firms have been preparing for the possible issuing of green cards as part of the preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

There will be no requirement for green cards if an agreement is reached between the UK and the EU on Brexit, or if a transitional arrangement is implemented.

In line with the current expected Brexit date of 29 March 2019, insurers and insurance brokers will begin issuing green cards to policyholders from March.

This is on the basis that no agreement has been reached between the UK and the European Union on Brexit or that the process has not been further delayed.