Passing the motorcycle driving test is just the first step in becoming a truly safe and competent motorcyclist.
You should continue to ride your moped or light quadricycle carefully, and build up your experience in different traffic, weather, lighting and road conditions. The Road Safety Authority offers a range of learning materials that will help you develop your road safety and awareness skills.
Getting a full category AM motorcycle driving licence allows you to ride on all public roads, except motorways. This licence allows you to ride category AM vehicles only, i.e. moped or light quadricycle. It entitles you to carry a pillion passenger if your motorcycle is designed to do so and your insurance policy covers you.
There are also some special conditions that apply to novice drivers during the first two years:
Now you're a fully-qualified and licensed moped and light quadricycle driver. But you should never stop learning more riding skills and road safety awareness. Remember, now that you're a motorcyclist, you're even more responsible for your safety and the safety of others.
Research shows that the highest period of risk for a motorcyclist is the first two years following qualification.
That's why there are a number of rules which you must follow for the next two years. One of the most important is the N-tabard rule.
You must display an N-tabard for a period of two years from qualification.
Full guidance on the use of N-tabards.
Research tells us that novice motorcyclists are most likely to be killed on our roads in their first two years. This is due to their inexperience.
All the more reason for you to pay extra close attention to safety and road awareness.
More facts about novice motorcyclists.
We want to help everyone be a better, safer motorcyclist. That's why we have produced a series of videos designed to help improve your riding skills. These cover some of the most dangerous manoeuvres on our road.
You will find all these videos and more on our YouTube channel.
Penalty points are designed to encourage safe riding and reduce casualties on our roads. There are 62 offences which attract penalty points on a driving licence. These include:
A penalty point is essentially a formal reprimand by the Gardai. This is endorsed on your driving licence record and shows that you are guilty of a specific driving offence.
If, while driving with a learner permit or as a novice driver, you accumulate seven penalty points in a three-year period, you will be usually automatically disqualified from driving for six months.
For fully qualified drivers, this threshold is 12 penalty points.
Full details of the penalty points system.
The blood alcohol concentration threshold for novice riders is lower than for other fully qualified riders. Novice motorcyclists detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 20mg and 80mg can face disqualification from driving for three months and a fine €200.
(For fully qualified drivers, the equivalent blood alcohol concentration is between 50mg and 80mg.)
Full details of penalties for drink driving.
No. A novice category AM motorcyclist cannot drive on the motorway. In fact, no category AM motorcyclists are allowed to ride on motorways under any circumstances. Vehicles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less are not permitted on motorways.
More guidance for novice drivers.
Yes. For novice motorcyclists the blood alcohol concentration threshold is lower.
Novice riders detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 20mg and 80mg can face disqualification from driving for three months and a fine of €200.
(For fully qualified motorcyclist, the equivalent blood alcohol concentration is between 50mg and 80mg.)
More guidance for novice drivers.
If while driving with a learner permit or as a novice rider, you accumulate seven penalty points in a three-year period you will be usually be automatically disqualified from riding for six months.