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How to get a driving licence in Ireland

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Ireland

Theory questions40
Pass mark35 correct
Time for the theory test45 min
Theory test fee€45
Driving test fee€85
Driving test length30–50 min

Driving lessons cost extra (a 12-lesson EDT package is usually €480–660).

Before you start driving

2
Learner permitYes. Pass the theory test, then apply for a learner permit (€45) with an eyesight report. Drive only with someone who has held a full licence for 2+ years, with L plates, and not on motorways.
Medical checkAn eyesight report from an optician or doctor. A medical report only for some conditions.

Required lessons

2
Essential Driver Training12 lessons of 1 hour with an approved instructor, logged in your EDT logbook.
TheoryNo required course. Study for the theory test yourself.

Good to know

8
Minimum age17 for a learner permit and a full category B licence.
Licence validity10 years for category B.
Exam languagesTheory test in English or Irish. The driving test is in English or Irish.
If you failTheory: rebook with at least 3 working days' notice. Driving test: book and pay again. You get the result on the spot.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits your licence to automatic cars.
New driversN plates for 2 years after passing. A lower penalty point limit: 7 instead of 12.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU, EEA and recognised-state licences are exchanged without tests (see the Abroad tab). Others go through the theory test, learner permit and driving test, but with a shorter Essential Driver Training: 6 lessons instead of 12, once.
Also worth knowing
  • Book the driving test as soon as you can: waiting times can be long.
  • Learner drivers can't drive alone. The car can be seized if you do.
  • From 1 November 2026, you can renew a third or fourth learner permit only if you've taken a driving test in the last 2 years. After 4 permits you start again, from the theory test and all 12 EDT lessons.

Step by step

  1. Theory test40 questions in 45 minutes, at least 35 correct.
  2. Learner permitApply with an eyesight report. Drive with a fully licensed driver and L plates.
  3. Essential Driver Training12 one-hour lessons with an approved instructor.
  4. Wait 6 monthsHold the learner permit for at least 6 months before the test.
  5. Driving testAbout 30–50 minutes: eyesight check, Rules of the Road questions, vehicle checks, manoeuvres and about 10 minutes of independent driving. Then display N plates for 2 years.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Observation is the top reason for failing, says the RSA: when pulling away, at junctions and roundabouts, and when changing lanes.
  • Use your mirrors and signals every time, and position the car correctly on bends, turns and roundabouts.
  • Make progress. Hesitating too long at junctions, at roundabouts or when overtaking is also marked as a fault.
  • Practise reversing round a corner and the turnabout: weak manoeuvres are a common fault.
  • After a fail, go through the tester's feedback with your instructor before you rebook.

Based on: RSA: Repeating your test, common reasons for failing ↗

Official links

RSA: Learner drivers ↗Irish Statute Book: Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

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An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

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