A new driving licence will not be issued to you. You can only apply for a renewal of a driving licence if it is within three months of its expiry date. You can check the expiry date and earliest renewal date of your current licence on expiry date calculator here. Full Press Release on new Extension for Driving Licences. Embassy in Dublin cannot issue a letter of entitlement for the purpose of obtaining an Irish driver’s license, as we are unable to confirm the validity of state issued documentation – including driver’s licenses. We can, however, notarize an affidavit in which you can swear to the validity of your driver’s license. Converting your driving licence to an Irish driving licence; To apply for a driving licence, you must be normally resident in Ireland. You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if, because of personal and occupational ties, you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year. Information for foreign licence holders driving in Ireland. What licensing rules apply when driving in other countries. Mutual Recognition of Driver Disqualifications - UK and Ireland. From 1 August 2017 drivers with an Irish licence who are disqualified from driving in the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) for certain road traffic offences will have their disqualifications recognised and applied in the Republic of Ireland.
Well done on your first step towards becoming a fully licensed driver. Your learner permit allows you to drive on all public roads, except motorways, for the purpose of learning to drive. All learner permit holders, with the exception of those who hold a learner permit in category A1, A2, A, AM, or W, must be accompanied at all times by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or someone who holds a full, valid driving licence in the same category for more than two years
You can apply for your driving test when you hold a learner permit however first time learner permit holders must hold their learner permit for six months and complete Essential Driver Training (EDT) or Initial Basic Training (IBT) before sitting the driving test. A reduced EDT programme is available for drivers who currently hold a full car licence (category B) from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland.
Please read the requirements and restrictions that must be followed when holding a learner permit.
Requirements
Accompaniment
All learner permit holders, with the exception of those who hold a learner permit in category A1, A2, A, AM or W, must be accompanied by a qualified driver at all times while driving. A qualified driver is one who holds a full licence for a continuous period of two years in respect of the vehicle category being driven by the learner permit holder.
A person holding a category W(work vehicles/land tractors) learner permit is not permitted to carry a passenger unless the vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a passenger and the passenger is a qualified driver – ie, a person who has held a full licence for the vehicle category for a continuous period of at least two years.
Age
There are legal restrictions on what types of vehicle you can drive at what age. For example, you have to be 16 to apply for a learner permit for a moped, 17 to apply for a learner permit in a standard car, 18 to apply for a learner permit in a truck category with Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) or 21 without CPC and 21 to apply to apply for a learner permit in a bus category with CPC and 24 without CPC.
'L Plates'
All learner permit holders, with the exception of those who hold learner permits in category W(work vehicles/land tractors), must display 'L' plates while they are driving. Vehicles in categories B, C1, C, D1, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E or DE must display L plates at all times. The letter L should be at least 15cm high and appear as red on a white background, in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle.
Drivers of vehicles in categories A, A2, A1 and AM must also display L plates at all times. The plates must be displayed on a yellow fluorescent tabard worn over the person's outside clothing. The letter L should be at least 15cm high and appear as red on a white background and in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the person's body.
Essential Driver Training (EDT)
Since the 4th April 2011 all new first time learner permit holders for cars are required to undertake mandatory essential driver training (EDT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course is made up of 12 individual one hour lessons. The learner will be able to take the lessons at any point during the learning process and can practice with an accompanying driver during the time while taking lessons. Evidence of completing the lessons will be signed off in a learner's logbook by the Approved Driving Instructor. The logbook showing completion of the lessons may have to be presented before taking a driving test.
Initial Basic Training (IBT)
Since the 6th December 2010 all new first time learner permit holders for motorcycles are required to undertake mandatory initial basic training (IBT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course consists of 16 hours training which is broken up into four modules. Once this course of lessons is complete the learner permit holder is issued with a certificate of satisfactory completion which must be kept with their learner permit. Motorcycle riders must complete the programme before driving on the road while a learner.
Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT)
A reduced EDT programme is available for drivers who currently hold a full car licence (category B) from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland. For more information on Reduced EDTprogram please click here and for an application form to apply for Reduced EDT please click here
6 Month Rule
If you are the holder of a first learner permit in category A, A2, A1, AM, B or W, you must wait until you have held that learner permit for six months before you can sit a driving test in that category. This is particularly important to note if a licence category has been added to the permit as it is the date the category was added to the permit that is relevant not the date that the permit was issued.
The code 991 will be printed on your permit opposite the vehicle category in the column headed 'restrictions/information.
The 6 month rule does not apply to the holders of a learner permit in category BE.
If you hold a full driving licence from another country (jurisdiction) for more than six months in the category corresponding to the category on your learner permit you can apply for an exemption from the six month wait.
Restrictions
A person who holds a learner permit in:
- Vehicle categories A1, A2, A and AM (motorcycles/mopeds) is not permitted to carry a passenger
- Any vehicle category is not allowed to carry any passenger for reward
- Vehicle category W (work vehicles/land tractors) shall not carry a passenger unless the vehicle is constructed to carry a passenger and the passenger is a full licence holder for a continuous period of two years
- Vehicle categories B, C1, C, D1 or D (cars, buses and trucks) shall not be driven while towing a trailer
Period of a Learner Permit
| Period of Learner Permit | Permit Count |
|---|---|
| 2 years | First or second learner permit |
| 2 years | Third or subsequent learner permit - you must show evidence of failing a driving test in the previous two years |
| 1 year | Third or subsequent learner permit - you must show evidence of having applied for or having a forthcoming test date |
To apply online for a first-time learner permit
You can now quickly and easily apply for your learner permit online. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person.
All you need is the following:
- A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID.
- To have successfully passed the driver theory test in the category you are applying for in the previous 2 years
- Fully completed eyesight report form dated within one month, if required in your case.
- Fully completed medical report form dated within one month, if required in your case.
- Proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one you provided when you applied for your PSC.
- Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA.
- Completed relevant driver certificate of professional competence (CPC), if required.
- Your application fee of €35.00. You can pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay. If you are aged 70 years or over you are exempt from paying the fee.
To apply in person at an NDLS centre for a first time learner permit
Driving Licence Ireland Phone Number
You must book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre. You will need to bring the required supporting documents, ID and fee. An application form is no longer required. Your photograph and signature will be captured electronically at the NDLS centre.
To apply in person at an NDLS centre you will need the following:
- To have successfully passed the driver theory test in the category you are applying for in the previous 2 years
- Fully completed eyesight report form dated within one month
- Proof of your personal public services number (PPSN).
- Proof of your address dated within the last six months.
- Proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if your place of birth and nationality are outside the EU/EEA.
- Fully completed medical report form dated within one month, if required in your case.
- Your application fee of €35.00. You can only pay by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or Payzone voucher. If you are aged 70 years or over you are exempt from paying the fee.
Driving Licence Ireland Application Form
You can apply in person at any of the 34 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres nationwide.