1. Prepare

You must:

be normally resident in Ireland to apply for a learner permit or driving licence
be medically fit to drive
hold a full, valid category B (car or light van) driving licence
have sat and passed the category D (bus) or category C and D (truck and bus) driver theory test before applying for a category D1 (CPC minibus) learner permit
be at least 21 years of age when applying for a first-time category D1 (CPC minibus) learner permit
drive only the type of vehicle for which you hold a learner permit or driving licence
only drive a minibus when you are accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for at least two years
carry your driving licence or learner permit with you at all times when driving.

You must bring one of the following forms of identity with you to your driver theory test:

a full, valid category B (car or light van) driving licence
public services card (with photograph)
passports (valid for international use only or up to maximum 12 months expired)
Irish passport cards (valid for EU/EEA travel, not expired and in good condition)
national identity card from EU/EEA member states or Switzerland.

Your minibus must:

be roadworthy and the steering, brakes, front and rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, rear view mirrors, safety belts, speedometer, tyres, windscreen wipers, horn and silencer must be checked regularly
display valid L-plates at the front and rear
have a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) certificate, if applicable
display valid, original insurance and motor tax discs.

Becoming a professional CPC minibus driver

The Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is an EU-wide qualification that sets high standards for professional driver competence across Europe. A driver CPC qualification is required if you want to drive a minibus or truck on a commercial, professional basis. This is why the qualification process is more involved than most other driving qualifications.

Step 1: prepare for and pass the driver theory test
Step 2: apply for your learner permit
Step 3: book and pass the case study test
Step 4: book and pass the practical driving test
Step 5: book and pass the walkaround test
Step 6: apply for your driving licence
Step 7: apply for your CPC driver qualification card
Step 8: stay qualified.

When you need CPC

You will need Driver CPC if you work professionally for yourself as a sole transport operator or if you are employed by a company in a professional driving capacity. If you wish to work as a professional minibus (category D1) driver you need both a full driving licence for the category of vehicle you wish to drive and a Driver CPC.

About acquired rights

Since 10 September 2014, all professional minibus drivers have been required to carry a driver CPC card.

However, if you were already working as a professional driver and obtained your minibus driving licence on or before 9 September 2008, you have ‘acquired rights’. This means you are automatically entitled to driver CPC.

If you had your minibus licence after 9 September 2008, you don't qualify for acquired rights. In these instances, to become a professional minibus driver you must pass:

a theory test
a case study test
a practical driving test
a walkaround test

Even if you have acquired rights, to maintain your Driver CPC, you must complete 35 hours of periodic training for five years following qualification (one day per year).

Find out more about who can hold acquired rights.

Prepare yourself
Prepare the documents you need
Prepare your minibus

Prepare yourself

You're on your way to becoming a safe, qualified bus driver in Ireland.

But first, a few key points:

You must:

hold a full, valid category B (car and light van) driving licence
drive only the type of vehicle for which you hold a learner permit or driving licence
only drive when you are accompanied by someone who has held a full valid driving licence in the same category for at least two years
carry your driving licence with you at all times when driving.

Prepare the documents you need

Make sure you have the right form of identity to bring with you to your driver theory test. Otherwise you won't be able to take the test and will lose your test fee.

Only the following forms of identity are acceptable:

a full, valid category B (car and light van) driving licence
public services card (with photograph)
passports (valid for international use only or up to maximum 12 months expired)
Irish passport cards (valid for EU/EEA travel)
national identity card from EU/EEA member states or Switzerland

You must be normally resident in Ireland to apply for a learner permit or driving licence.

If you want to apply for a learner permit or driving licence, you must be able to prove that you were born in or have nationality of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland or were granted residency status in Ireland.

Prepare your minibus

You must:

ensure that the steering, brakes, front and rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, rear view mirrors, safety belts, speedometer, tyres, windscreen wipers, horn and silencer are checked regularly
ensure that any bus you drive has a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) certificate, if applicable
display valid L-plates at the front and rear of any bus you drive
ensure that any bus you drive displays valid, original insurance and motor tax discs.