Next Steps

You will need to pass the Theory Test and have a valid Driver Theory Test Certificate for the relevant Category for which you want to obtain a licence.
- Book a test via the Call Centre on 1890 606 806 (Irish), or alternatively complete the form which can be found on the Forms & Links page. Have your PPs number (formerly RSI) and Credit Card details to hand .The fee as of 12th April 07 is €34.00.
- NB:Make a note of the date you post your application and if after 14 days you have not received an appointment notification, please contact 1890 606 106 immediately. If you don't you may miss your appointment and lose your fee.
- When you arrive to take the Driver Theory test you will need to have a valid form of identification. Please note for a "Category C" and/or "Category D" test you must have a current Irish driving licence or one from another EU Member State, or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway.
- If in doubt for more information please phone the enquiry line 1890 606 106

You will need a completed Eyesight Report.

Eyesight report (Form D502) completed by either a doctor or optician. This report must have been completed no longer than a month prior to submission of the application.

An original Birth Certificate or original passport or cert of registration (Baptismal certificates are NOT acceptable).

A completed application form D201 fully completed. (go to Forms & Links Page).

Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.

A medical report D501 if applicable (see below).

To obtain or be a holder of full driving licences for categories C1 (large van/small truck), C (rigid truck), D1 (minibus), D (bus), EC1 (large van/small truck with trailer), EC (articulated truck), ED1 (minibus with trailer) or ED (bus with trailer) you must now produce a Medical Report (completed by a doctor) to retain these categories on their licences. If you have previously submitted an unlimited medical report for these categories it is deemed to be valid for ten years from the date of issue.

If you wish to keep any of the above categories on your licence you must now submit a Medical Report (D501). However, if you no longer wish to have these categories on your licence you may complete a declaration similar to the one below. Your licence will then be issued for categories B (car), EB (car & trailer), W (tractor) and categories A1 and A (motorcycles) where applicable.

DECLARATION

I have been informed of new provisions relating to Categories ____________________ in the 1999 Driving Licence Regulations. I declare that I am not submitting a Medical Report to renew Categories _________________ on my Driving Licence.

Signature _____________________ Date ______________

The above regulation applies to those under 70 years of age who may surrender Categories other than A1, A, B, EB and W by signing the declaration. However, if a Medical Report is produced within 10 years of the date of expiry of last licence with the higher categories showing the higher categories will be restored.

Fee - €15.

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Obtain a 2nd Provisional Licence

A completed application form D201. (go to Forms & Links Page).
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
If your name on the current license application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Your last provisional licence or if licence is lost a D8A form stamped at the Garda station reporting the loss of the license. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted (go to Forms & Links page).
Fee - €15.
A medical report D501 if applicable (see point 6 above).

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Obtain a 3rd or Subsequent Provisional Licence

A completed application form D201. (go to Forms & Links Page).
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
If your name on the current license application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Your last provisional licence or if licence is lost a D8A form stamped at the Garda station reporting the loss of the license. Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted (go to Forms & Links page).
Fee - €15.
A medical report D501 if applicable (see point 6 above).

Note: A first time applicant who has never held a licence before can apply for categories M, A1, restricted A (A*), B and W, provided that he/she has reached the minimum age requirement for the categories in question and has requested such categories.

M	Moped as defined below
A1	Motorcycle not exceeding 125c.c. as defined overleaf
A*	Motorcycle as defined below
B	Car - minimum age 17 years
W	Work vehicle with or without trailer - minimum age 16 years

Okay so that's the Provisional out of the way, what's next?

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Ensure your Vehicle and yourself are legal.

Before driving any vehicle on to the road you must have the following:

A correctly taxed motor vehicle. <<http://www.motortax.ie>>
A tax disc displayed on the windscreen.
An insurance certificate that is valid, in date and displayed on the windscreen.
If driving a category B vehicle that is over four years old ensure it has an up-to-date National Car Test (NCT) Certificate displayed on the windscreen. <<http://www.ncts.ie>>
Ensure the vehicle has L Plates displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.
If you are on your first, third or later provisional licence for a category B vehicle, you must have a fully licensed driver with you at all times when driving, that has held a valid full license for the same category of vehicle for at least 2 years.
You must carry your driving licence (all categories) with you at all times when you are driving. This covers provisional and full licences.

When driving any vehicle on to the road you must not:

Drive on a motorway with a provisional license.
Use a category B, C, C1, D or D1 vehicle to tow a trailer if you hold a provisional licence for any of these categories.
You may get a third or later provisional licence only if you can show that you have taken a driving test within the previous two years.
NB: if you have not taken the test, you must give either, evidence of a medical condition that prevented you from taking the test, or evidence that you have applied to sit your driving test for that category of vehicle.

Learn Good Driving Practice

Learn the Basic Mechanics of the Car

Learn the Rules of the Road

Learn what is needed to pass the Driving Test

Further details of these 4 sections will be available soon.

Applying for your Driving Test

You will need to Apply with form D301which can be downloaded from the Links & Forms page. You will also need to enclose the appropriate fee for the category of test you intend to undertake.

Category A, A1, B, EB, M and W 38 euro

Category C, C1, D and D1 63 euro

Category EC, EC1, ED and ED1 76 euro

Confirmation of your Driving Test

You will receive a letter from the Department of the Environment or SGS notifying you of your test date or requesting you to contact them at the number supplied to arrange your test. You will receive the appointment notice four or five weeks in advance of your test. The letter will indicate the time, date and venue for the test together with conditions, which must be met. It will also set out the arrangements for cancelling your appointment should this prove necessary.

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The Day of the Test

On the day of the test the examiner will call out your name, ask you to sign in and will check your provisional licence to ensure that it:

relates to you
is current
is for the correct category of vehicle

You will be asked to read and sign a statement confirming that your vehicle is:

in roadworthy condition
has the correct insurance cover

The driving test is straight forward and for cars will last about 40 minutes and will include the following:

questions on the rules of the road, identifying road signs
identify various technical/mechanical checks under the bonnet
demonstrate certain hand signals
reversing around a corner
a turnabout in the road
a hill start
driving approximately five miles under a variety of road and traffic conditions

What you Should know about the instructor.

The driver tester will know that you may be nervous and will try to put you at ease.
The tester is there to test your driving ability and, unlike your instructor will have a formal approach and not offer you encouragement or advice.
You should not be put off by this which is designed to ensure fairness to all applicants.
You will be given clear instructions throughout the test.
Should you not understand a particular instruction, tell the tester.
Don’t panic if you make a mistake you will only make more and the tester will pick this up.
This is a test of your ability to drive following instructions and know what to do when driving in a variety of situations; this does include what to do if you make a mistake.
You are human and if you make a mistake, knowing this half the battle then all you have to do is confidently correct it if possible or, if not serious, ignore it and continue on, showing that if you were to make a mistake you know what to do and how to handle it.
Occasionally, a supervisory tester may accompany the tester - this is quite normal.
The tester may well use a mobile PDA device for marking you test, again the is quite normal and you should not be put off by this method of recording your results. <<Mobile Working Practice for SGS Testers>>

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Your driving test will be assessed on the following situations:

Moving off driving in traffic
Stopping
Reversing around a corner
Turning about to face in the opposite direction
Starting on a hill
Parking
Aspects of your driving test will include
- Road positioning
- Overtaking and passing
- Anticipation and observation
- Use of mirrors and signal
- Progress
- Speed
- Compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings
- Use of vehicles controls (accelerator, clutch, gears, brakes and steering).

Excellent, you've passed the Test. Well Done!!! Now all you need is the Licence.

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Full License

Obtain a Full License.

Application form (D401) fully completed (see Forms and Links page).
Original Certificate of Competency.
Provisional Licence or D8A form stamped at the Garda station reporting the loss of the licence if applicable.
Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
If your name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Medical report (D501) if applicable (see Forms and Links page).
Fee - € 25 for ten years or € 15 for three years or € 5 for one year.

What do I need to renew a Full License?

Application form (D401) fully completed (see Forms and Links page).
Two passport type photos signed on back by the applicant.
Last licence or if licence has been lost a D8A form stamped at the Garda station reporting the loss of the licence (see Forms and Links page).
Photographic identification will be required where the D8A form is being submitted.
If your name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application
Medical Report (D501) if applicable (see Forms and Links page).
Fee - € 25 for ten years or € 15 for three years or € 5 for one year.

Note 1:

As a result of Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999, which came into effect on 15th November, 1999, all holders of full driving licences for categories C1 (large van/small truck), C (rigid truck), D1 (minibus), D (bus), EC1 (large van/small truck with trailer), EC (articulated truck), ED1 (minibus with trailer) or ED (bus with trailer) must now produce a Medical Report (completed by a doctor) to retain these categories on their licences. If you have previously submitted an unlimited medical report for these categories it is deemed to be valid for ten years from the date of issue.

If you wish to keep any of the above categories on your licence you must now submit a Medical Report (D501). However, if you no longer wish to have these categories on your licence you may complete a declaration similar to the one below. Your licence will then be issued for categories B (car), EB (car & trailer), W (tractor) and categories A1 and A (motorcycles) where applicable.

Note 2:

When aged between 60 and 67 an applicant may apply for a licence up to his/her 70th birthday.
When aged between 67 and 69 a person may apply for a three-year licence.
An applicant who is aged 70 years or older must produce a Medical Report (D502) to renew his/her licence - there is no fee for this licence.

What do I need to do to obtain a duplicate License?

Application form (D800) fully completed by applicant and signed and stamped by the Gardaí (see Forms and Links page).
Two passport type photographs signed on the back by the applicant.
Please note that when applying for a duplicate of a full or provisional driving licence a form of photographic identification is required. Forms of identification which will be accepted for this purpose include Passport / Garda Age Card / Certificate of Registration / Work identification with photograph / Student identification with photograph. For applicants aged over 70, free travel pass or pension book will also be accepted. If the required identification is not produced, the licence will not be issued until the applicant's identification has been verified through our records, which may take a few days.
If your name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate must accompany the application.
Fee - € 5.

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Motorway Driving

Night Driving

Winter Driving

Driving in Wet Conditions

Further details of these 4 sections will be available soon.