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 BW theory test before applying for a category BE learner permit, if your category B driving licence was issued before 25 April 2001. If your category B driving licence was issued after 25 April 2001 you will have already passed the category BW theory test. You can now apply for a category BE learner permit
- be at least 17 years of age when applying for a first-time category BE learner permit
- drive only the type of vehicle for which you hold a licence or learner permit
- only drive when you are accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for more than 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 when applying for your learner permit:
- 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 car 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
- have a valid National Car Test (NCT) certificate, if applicable
- display valid L-plates at the front and rear of any car you drive
- display valid, original insurance and motor tax discs.
Your trailer must:
- be roadworthy and the brakes (if applicable), plates, rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, extension mirrors, tow bar, trailer hitch, safety clasp, lighting cable, wheels, mudguards and tyres must be checked regularly
- display valid L-plates at the rear
- display a registration plate on the rear, and the registration number must correspond with that of the drawing vehicle.
Becoming a car or light van with trailer driver
Before you can become a category BE (car or light van with trailer) driver, you must already hold a full, valid category B (car or light van) driving licence.
You must have previously passed a category B (car or light van) theory test before you can apply for a category BE learner permit. If you got your first category B learner permit before the introduction of the theory test on 25 April 2001, you must complete a theory test before applying for a category BE learner permit. If you are unsure please contact the National Driver Licence Service.
- Step 1: hold a category B (car or light van) full driving licence
- Step 2: apply for a category BE (car or light van with trailer) learner permit
- Step 3: book and pass the driving test for category BE (car or light van with trailer)
- Step 4: apply for a category BE (car or light van with trailer) driving licence.
Prepare your documents
To apply for a category BE (car & light van with trailer) learner permit you will need the following:
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.
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Prepare your car
You must:
- ensure that the steering, brakes, front and rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, rear view mirrors, safety belts, speedometer, tyres, windscreen wipers, horn silencer and towing mechanism are checked regularly
- ensure that any car you drive has a valid National Car Test (NCT) certificate, if applicable
- display valid L-plates at the front and rear of any car you drive
- ensure that any car you drive displays valid, original insurance and motor tax discs.
Read more about car safety and maintenance standards.
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Prepare your trailer
You must:
- ensure that the brakes (if applicable), plates, rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, extension mirrors, tow bar, trailer hitch, safety clasp, lighting cable, wheels, mudguards and tyres are checked regularly
- display valid L-plates at the rear of your trailer
- display a registration plate on the rear, and the registration number must correspond with that of the drawing vehicle.
Read more about trailer safety and maintenance standards.
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DRIVING WITH A TRAILER FAQS
Do I need a trailer licence if I have a category B (car & light van) driving licence?
This depends on both the weight of trailer and load you want to tow and the weight of your towing vehicle
On a category B (car & light van) driving licence you can tow:
- a trailer with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 750kg. This includes the weight of both the trailer and its load. The combined MAM weight of the drawing vehicle and trailer must not be greater than 3,500 kg.
If you want to tow a trailer and load that exceeds these specifications, you will need a category BE (car or light van with trailer) driving licence.
More information and road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers.
What can I tow on a category B (car & light van) full driving licence?
On a category B (car & light van) driving licence you can tow:
More information and road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers.
What can I tow on a category BE (car & light van with trailer) full driving licence?
On a category BE (car & light van with trailer) licence you can tow:
- a trailer and load where the combined maximum mass (weight) of the towing vehicle, trailer and load is more than 3,500kg, but not more than 7,000kg.
More information and road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers.
Can I tow a trailer or car on a category B (car & light van) learner permit?
No. You cannot tow any trailer or car on a category B (car & light van) learner permit.
Holding a category B learner permit means that you're still learning to drive. Your focus should be on learning the basics of driving before progressing to towing a trailer.
What can I tow on a category BE (car & light van with trailer) learner permit?
On a category BE (car & light van with trailer) learner permit, when accompanied by someone who has held a full valid category BE driving licence for more than two years, you can tow:
- a trailer where the combined maximum mass of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, but not more than 7,000kg.
Until you're a category BE (car & light van with trailer) driving licence holder, you must always be accompanied by someone who has held a full valid category BE driving licence for more than two years. This is for your safety, and the safety of other road users.
What is a light trailer?
Trailers come in different shapes and sizes. So, to be safe, it's important you know what a light trailer is before towing one.
maximum authorised mass (MAM) refers to the combined weight of both the trailer and its load. In other words, the trailer and its load when fully laden must not weigh more than 3,500kg.
Light trailers include:
- small domestic trailers
- general duty trailers
- flatbed or plant trailers
- car transporters
- trailer caravans
- horse boxes
- livestock trailers.
Read more about light trailers.
How can I check my vehicle's towing capacity?
Towing capacity or towable mass is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow in accordance with the manufacturer's design specifications.
You should always check your vehicle's towing capacity before towing any trailer. It's vitally important that you don't tow a load heavier than you should, risking the safety of you and other road users.
Every vehicle is different, but this guide will help you find the correct towing capacity for your vehicle.
Make sure you do not exceed these weights and capacities. It's not safe and it's illegal to tow a trailer that exceeds the manufacturer's specified towing capacity for your vehicle. You should take time to understand what size trailer you can safely tow with your vehicle.
How can I check my trailer's maximum load capacity?
You can check your trailer's maximum load capacity by looking at the manufacturer's statutory plate fitted on your trailer. The plate displays both the weight of your trailer and the maximum load it can carry. You can find more details about the manufacturer's statutory plate on Page 9 of this booklet.
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