Key facts about booking, fees and the pass mark. Figures can change — always confirm on the official theorytest.ie.
For a car (category B) the official theory test has 40 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes. You must answer at least 35 correctly (87.5%) to pass.
Book online at theorytest.ie (the official RSA provider) or by phone. You choose a test centre and time slot, and you need a valid photo ID such as a passport or Irish residence permit on the day.
The standard fee for a car or motorcycle theory test is €45. Always check the current fee on theorytest.ie before booking.
The theory test certificate is valid for 2 years. You must apply for your first learner permit within that period, otherwise you need to take the test again.
The test paper is in English (the official languages are English and Irish), but you can choose a Chinese voiceover when booking — during the test, tap the speaker icon beside each question to hear it read aloud in Chinese. Combined with iTest.ie’s bilingual question bank, you can prepare and sit the test confidently even with limited English.
Practise the full official-style question bank until you consistently score above the pass mark in timed mock exams. iTest.ie offers all questions free with mock exams under real rules, automatic mistake tracking and progress sync across devices.
Besides waiting for your invitation from the RSA waiting list, you can book a slot someone else has cancelled. The RSA releases these short-notice slots every day on MyRoadSafety, first come, first served, to anyone eligible to sit a test.
You need to reapply, and the RSA will email you another invitation when it reaches your place in the queue. Cancelled short-notice slots become available to you once 15 days have passed after the failed test.
More: driving test cancellations · how to get an earlier test · failed your test?
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