How do I apply for a learner permit

Before applying for a learner permit, you need to make sure you are eligible to learn to drive in Ireland and have the documentation you require.

Rules

To apply for a learner permit for any vehicle, you must:

• Be normally resident in Ireland. You are considered to be normally resident in Ireland if you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year.
• Meet the age requirement. Before you can apply for a licence to drive a vehicle in Ireland, you must be a certain age. If you are under 16 years of age, you must not use any vehicle in a public place. For more information, see our document on categories of motor vehicles and minimum age of drivers.
• Pass a driver theory test. Before applying for a learner permit, candidates must pass a test of motoring theory appropriate to the category of vehicle (pdf) they wish to be licenced to drive. This rule applies to anyone applying for a first learner permit in any vehicle category. If your learner permit expired five or more years ago, you must pass the theory test again before a new learner permit will be issued. You can read more about the driver theory test.

How to apply online for your first learner permit

If you have a Public Services Card (PSC) and a verified MyGovID account, you can apply for your first learner permit online. To do this, you need:

• To have successfully passed the driver theory test in the category you are applying for in the previous 2 years.
• Proof of your address dated within the last 6 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.
• Fully completed eyesight report form dated within 3 months.
• Fully completed medical report form dated within the last 3 months, if required in your case.
• Completed relevant driver certificate of professional competence (CPC), if required.
• Your application fee which can be paid 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.

Applying for the Driving Test

To apply for a driving test and add yourself to the waiting list, visit  MyRoadSafety.ie and follow these steps: 

Step 1 

Log in or sign up using your verified MyGovID or register your details with the RSA. If you have any difficulties, please read the RSA’s  registration and login FAQs. 

Step 2 

Choose your vehicle category (e.g. car, bus, truck) and set your goal 

Step 3 

Scroll down to the driving test step and click on ‘book a driving test’ 

Step 4 

Choose your test centre. If there are no appointment slots available click on ‘join waiting list’ 

Step 5 

When appointment slots become available at your chosen test centre, the RSA will email you an invitation to book a test. 

Book or Manage your NCT

Bookings can be made online for all NCTS Test Centres

NCTS has put detailed measures in place, in each test centre to mitigate against the spread of COVID19 and to protect both customers and staff, more information on what you should expect are outlined in the NCTS FAQ‘s.

NCTS has now updated all records for those customers’ vehicles that qualified for the 4 month test extension as announced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross in April 2021. A vehicle with a test due date on or after 28th March 2020 has now had its test date extended by 4 months.

All Vehicle owners are encouraged to check their new test due date on Check NCT Due Date.

Please note, vehicles first registered on or after 1 August 2016 are not eligible for the 4-month extension

NCTS are reminding customers that if they book a test that is more than 90 days earlier than the test due date, the test will be a voluntary early test and the NCT certificate issued will be valid for 1 or 2 years (depending on the age of the vehicle) from the date of the successful test.  NCTS are asking customers to note carefully the website messages they receive throughout the course of the booking process.

To check when your vehicle is due its NCT please click here

EDT Lessons

The Essential Driving Training (EDT) course is a carefully designed 12-part driving lesson guide which has been designed to teach you fundamental driving skills so that you drive safely with confidence.

When you receive your Learner Permit, you will need to complete a minimum of 12 x one-hour lessons* before applying for their driving test. These 12 Lessons are the EDT course and are regarded as the minimum number of lessons required. Very often learner drivers need more hours to prepare for “lifetime” driving.

EDT candidates will also be required to have an Essential Driver Training Logbook. This logbook will be filled in and signed off after every EDT lesson by your qualified ISM ADI Instructor.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) recommends that all 12 EDT Lessons should be spread out over the first 6 months of your new Learner Permit. They also suggest that Learner Drivers take filler lessons in between these EDT lessons if necessary.

It is also recommended to get lots of practice with the help of a sponsor i.e. parent, guardian, or family friend who possesses a full Licence for a minimum of two years. Make sure you are insured for this practice.

THE BENEFITS TO YOU

Completing your Essential Driver Training Course (EDT) will help you to:

• understand what it means to be a better, safer driver.
• practice driving skills in a structured way focused on your own learning needs.
• develop lifelong skills that will make you a better safer driver.

RSA EDT INFORMATION

THE LESSONS

YOUR LOGBOOK

Note: EDT is only part of the learning process, you will need lots of practice and may need more than a one-hour lesson per module in order to become a safe driver.

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