The driving test

From the Rules of the Road published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). iTest.ie is not affiliated with the RSA — check rsa.ie for the latest edition. Read in the app (contents, picks up where you left off) →

How to apply for your driving test

Once you have learnt to drive safely and completed mandatory training (EDT for category B or IBT for Category AM, A1, A2 or A), the next step is to apply for your driving test.

Note: bus drivers and truck drivers should refer to page 15 for the CPC Driving Test.

You can apply and pay for your driving test online at www.rsa.ie. You will need a credit or debit card and a valid email address to complete the application online.

Alternatively, you can download a driving test application form from www.rsa.ie or get one from your local Garda station. Send the completed form, with a cheque, postal order or money order made payable to the Road Safety Authority to:

Driver Testing Section
Road Safety Authority, Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co Mayo.

Remember

To take a Driving Test you must:

• Hold a learner permit for the vehicle in which you wish to be tested;
• Have use of a suitable vehicle;
• Comply with the six-month rule – that is, you must have held a valid learner permit for at least six months on the day of the test (this applies to cars, motorcycles and work vehicles);
• There are certain exceptions to the six-month rule. For example, learner permit holders in category BE (car or van and trailer) do not need to wait 6 months before doing a practical driving test in that category. See further exceptions to the six-month rule at page 33.

Also, if your first Category B learner permit was issued on or after 4 April 2011 you must:

• have completed an Essential Driver Training (EDT) course;
• have completed an Initial Basic Training (IBT) course if your first Category A type learner permit was issued on or after 6 December 2010.

What you need to do on the day of the test

The following information is a summary of requirements. The notification of your test appointment contains all the relevant information and requirements which must be met on the day.

• Use the correct vehicle for your test.
  • Under current regulations specific guidelines set out the minimum requirements for the vehicle you plan to use for your driving test to be acceptable (see Appendix 5). You will be advised of the vehicle requirements on your test appointment notice. However, if you have any concerns, please refer to www.rsa.ie where full details are available.
• Make sure your vehicle displays:
  • a current valid motor tax disc;
  • a valid NCT disc or CVRT disc, as applicable to your vehicle (see page 26);
  • proper ‘L’ plates at the front and back (other than Category A, A1, A2 and AM where you wear the plates on your person); and
  • a current valid insurance disc (except if you are being tested in a category A, A1, A2, AM and W vehicle).
• Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.
• Be in the test centre at least 10 minutes before your test appointment time.
• Give the driver tester your current Irish learner permit. The tester will check the permit to confirm that it is yours, is current and is for the correct category of vehicle.
• Read the ‘Checklist for your driving test’ on www.rsa.ie.

Your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee if:

• you are late;
• your vehicle does not show the correct discs or L plates;
• your vehicle is not roadworthy; or
• you do not have the correct vehicle for your test (see Appendix 5).

You can get more information from www.rsa.ie.

The driving test

In order to undergo a driving test, the law requires that any person attending for the test presents with a vehicle that is representative of the Licensing Category in which they wish to attain a licence to drive. These requirements aim to ensure that the test applicant is tested using a vehicle that allows the candidate to demonstrate that they will be capable of driving any vehicle in the broader licence category on passing the test. The requirements are neither at the lower or higher end in terms of size, weight and power etc., but reflect a typical vehicle in the mid-range of the particular Category.

Please note: maximum authorised mass means design gross vehicle weight.

The driving test will determine if you have the skills necessary to get your full driving licence. The test includes questions on the Rules of the Road and how your vehicle works. It assesses your driving skills while you drive in different road and traffic conditions.

The Driver Tester will evaluate your driving knowledge and skills and will use an electronic device to make notes during your test. Following your driving test, your examiner will give the result of your test. You will then receive an e-mail about your result which you should discuss with your Approved Driving Instructor.

The driving test will evaluate your driving skills under various headings, including:

• positioning the vehicle correctly and in good time;
• taking proper observation;
• reacting promptly and properly to hazards;
• using mirrors properly, in good time and before signalling;
• allowing sufficient clearance to pedestrians, cyclists, other traffic, and other road users;
• giving correct signals in good time;
• maintaining reasonable progress and avoiding undue hesitancy when moving off, at roundabouts and when changing lanes;
• making proper use of vehicle controls;
• adjusting speed appropriately;
• complying with traffic controls, for example, traffic lights, traffic signs and road markings;
• yielding right of way as required;
• reversing;
• turnabout; and
• parking.

Before taking the test, you should have achieved a level of knowledge and skill that will satisfy the tester that you are entitled to a full licence.

The things you need to know and do to pass your test will keep changing. To make yourself aware of any changes, visit www.rsa.ie.

The following table highlights some elements of the practical driving test. Some requirements apply to more than one type of vehicle.

Secondary controls and technical checks

At your test, you will have to:

• work the secondary controls, such as windscreen wipers and washers, de-misters, rear window heater, lights and air-conditioning, fans, rear foglights, air vents and temperature control.
• demonstrate technical checks such as air pressure and the condition of tyres, oil, fuel, windscreen washer fluid level, coolant, brakes (including handbrake), steering, lights, indicators, reflectors and horn.

The Driving Test Report Form explains the technical checks and the secondary controls in detail. Make yourself familiar with the content of the Driving Test Report Form.

Motorcyclists are further tested on: control of speed, control when braking and avoiding obstacles.

How long does the test last?

The test for categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE and W vehicles lasts about 40 minutes and assesses your driving skills over a distance of about 8 to 10 kilometres.

The test for vehicles in other categories lasts about 70 minutes and assesses your driving skills over about 20 kilometres.

What happens when your test is finished?

If you pass, the tester will give you a Certificate of Competency to drive. You should exchange it for your full driving licence as soon as possible and you must do this within two years of your cert date.

If you are a novice driver (that is, you are a first-time holder of a full driving licence), you must display N-plates on your vehicle for 2 years. N-plates must be displayed on any vehicle you get a licence to drive during that 2-year period. This novice period applies only once. For example, if you hold a driving licence for a category of vehicle and after two years you get a licence to drive another category of vehicle, you do not become a ‘novice driver’ in respect of the new category. You can get further information about the N-plate requirements on the Road Safety Authority website, www.rsa.ie.

Your Certificate of Competency will list any restrictions to be applied to your licence. Any restrictions will be shown on your driving licence by using a particular code. Further information on potential restrictions on a driving licence is available on the RSA website, www.rsa.ie.

If you are not successful in your driving test, you will receive a detailed report on the faults that occurred during the test. When you are preparing for your next test, pay particular attention to these faults while continuing to work on other areas of your driving.

What to do if you are not happy with your test result

If you were not successful and believe that your driving test was not conducted properly or fairly, you may appeal the tester’s decision to the District Court. The District Court may either refuse the appeal or, if it finds that the test was not properly conducted, it can direct the Road Safety Authority to give you another test free of charge.

For more information on the driving test, please read the leaflet Preparing for your Driving Test. This is available at www.rsa.ie.

In certain circumstances, it may be possible to progress to a higher category of driving licence for motorcycles without having to take an additional driving test. This is known as ‘progressive access’.

At the age of 24 years, a rider may also proceed directly to a large unrestricted motorcycle. This is known as ‘direct access’.