Ireland Legal Age to Drive

Once you have passed your knowledge test and obtained a motorcycle apprenticeship permit, you will not be allowed to drive on a public road until you have completed your basic training (IBT). The categories and minimum age of driver applicable to a driver towing a trailer with a maximum weight exceeding 750 kg fully laden are as follows: The minimum driving age is the minimum age at which a person can obtain a driving licence for the legal operation of a motor vehicle on public roads. This age is set by and for each jurisdiction and is most often set at 18, but learner drivers may be allowed to take the road under supervision at an earlier age. Before reaching the minimum age for obtaining a driving licence, or at any time thereafter, a person wishing to obtain a licence is normally subject to a test of fitness to drive and knowledge of the rules of the road before a licence is issued, provided that he or she is over the minimum driving age. The countries with the lowest driving age (17 years and under) are the Bahamas, Canada, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (mainland), the United States and Zimbabwe. In some jurisdictions in the United States and Canada, drivers may be under the age of 14 (under parental supervision). You must be at least 17 years old to drive in Ireland. To drive on a public road while towing a trailer weighing more than 750 kg fully loaded, you must have at least a driver`s licence for the appropriate category of vehicle and trailer. For more information about student permissions for trailers, visit the RSA website. A Class B learner`s licence allows you to drive on public roads in Ireland. However, this is not a full driver`s license and you must adhere to certain restrictions.

EDT is a training course that teaches learner drivers basic driving skills. RSA has published detailed guidelines (pdf) on SOW. The course consists of 12 individual sessions of 1 hour. To drive a motorcycle on public roads, you must have at least one driving license for the corresponding category of motorcycle. The following table shows the categories of motorcycles with the minimum age of the driver: If you own a car, you are guilty of a crime if you let someone drive in a public place if they: To work as a professional truck or bus driver, you need a Professional Qualification Ticket (CPC). Once you have received your IBT certificate for satisfactory pass, you will be allowed to drive unaccompanied on public roads. The alcohol limit for bus and truck drivers with a learning licence or a full driver`s licence is 20 mg per 100 ml of blood. For more information on impaired driving limits, contact RSA. For more information, see our documents on driver`s licenses and driver`s licenses. Before driving on a public road, you must be in possession of a learner`s licence corresponding to the class of bus or truck you wish to drive.

Finally, remember that the maximum speed for a vehicle towing a trailer is 80 km/h, and this also applies to roads where the speed limit for road signs is higher. As always, drivers are subject to the lowest panel, so it won`t always be possible to drive at 80 km/h. In Ireland, motor vehicles are divided into different categories for driving licence purposes. This is a common practice throughout the European Union. Each category of vehicle has a prescribed minimum age for the driver. In other words, before you can apply for a driving licence to drive in Ireland, you must have reached a certain age. You must apply for your first driver`s licence in person at one of the NDLS centres – see above “How do I apply for a learning permit?”. You can make an appointment online. Before you can take lessons or start driving, you must pass the official driving test. Bus and truck drivers with a learning permit are not permitted to: The categories and minimum age of driver for motorcycles and mopeds are as follows: To obtain your first apprenticeship licence to drive a bus or truck, you must have a full driver`s licence for a car (category B) and a valid driving test certificate for: The following table shows the categories for buses and trucks: with the minimum age of the driver: whether you have a driving licence or a learning licence, you are only entitled to drive the category of vehicle for which the driving licence or driving licence was issued. Before taking the official driving test, you must complete at least 12 lessons with a licensed driving instructor. Click below to find one near you.

If you want another category of motor vehicle to be added to your existing driver`s licence or learner`s card, your current driver`s licence or licence must be up to date. Certain categories of vehicles can be automatically added to your existing driver`s licence or learner`s licence without you having to pass another check, for example if you have a driver`s licence to drive a car, you can automatically drive a tractor. However, to add more categories, you may need to go through the application process and complete the relevant tests for that category. Most provinces and territories recognize driver`s licences issued by another jurisdiction, which may allow a youth to obtain a driver`s licence in a province or territory with a low minimum driving age and to drive in a province or territory that usually has a higher driving age. A notable exception is the United States, where many states prohibit drivers from driving below their minimum driving age, even if they have licenses or licenses issued by another state. A learner`s licence is a document issued by the National Driver`s Licence Service (NDLS). It allows you to learn how to drive on public roads in Ireland and you should always have it with you when driving. When you apply for your driver`s licence or apprenticeship licence, the categories of vehicles you are allowed to drive and drive are listed on your driver`s licence. It is a serious crime to drive a vehicle for which you do not have a driver`s license. You can also access a comprehensive manual (pdf) on driver`s license rules for towing light trailers and read information about cargo safety.

If you want another category of motor vehicle to be added to your existing driver`s licence or learner`s card, your current driver`s licence or driver`s licence must be up to date. Certain categories of vehicles can be added to your existing learner`s licence without the need to provide a driving knowledge test certificate. Adding additional categories requires a theoretical driver test. Before applying for a learner`s licence, you must ensure that you are eligible to learn to drive in Ireland and that you have the necessary documents. You may be able to renew your driver`s licence online if you are eligible and have a verified PSC and MyGovID account. You can also apply in person. The cost of a driving test is 85 €. Once you have passed this test, you can apply for a full driver`s license.

Applications for provisional driving licences may be submitted from the age of 16. It was cancelled because the 2 wheels under 50cc are no longer produced. After reaching the age of 18, a person can obtain a licence from the regional traffic office in his district. However, a learner`s license is not a full motorcycle license and there are certain rules you must follow until you pass your driving test: If you are under 60, you must renew your full driver`s license every ten years. You cannot take a driver`s course without a valid learner`s licence and, in most cases, you will not be able to take a driving test until you get your first learner`s licence for at least 6 months. Find out more about how to organise and prepare for a driving test in Ireland. Motor tricycles with a power not exceeding 15 kW. If you have passed a driving test, you will receive a 2-year licence.

If you confirm that you have requested a driving test, you will receive a 1-year licence. A first and second apprenticeship permit usually takes 2 years each, while a third and subsequent permits take 1 year. I need help or support for my rights in the EU There are 2 ways to apply for your first apprenticeship: online at NDLS.ie or in person by making an appointment at an NDLS centre. You can renew your online learning authorization if you have a CSP and a verified MyGovID account. Learn more about the online application process on the NDLS website. Minimum age may vary depending on the type of vehicle. This list refers to the minimum age for driving a light-duty motor vehicle (generally less than 3500 kg maximum permissible mass) or motorcycle, if applicable. At each EDT session, your ADI verifies your learning authorization and records the session with a stamp and signature in your official EDT logbook.

You must submit your completed EDT logbook on the day of the driving test. Quadricycles (other than those covered by AM) also fall into this category. All cars must be taxed before they can be driven on Irish roads. You must also be covered by a valid insurance policy before driving on a road in Ireland. Direct access is if you have not already held a full motorcycle license in a lower category. If you have a Public Service Card (SUB) and a verified MyGovID account, you can apply for your first learning permit online. To do this, you will need: To apply for a learner`s licence for a vehicle, you must: You can apply for your first learner`s licence in person by making an appointment at one of the 34 NDLS centres across the country. There is no walk-in service. Once you have passed the knowledge test, you must apply for a learning permit. You must hold this learner`s licence for at least six months before you can take a driving test. The cost of a learning permit is €35.