The driving test checks your knowledge of the Rules of the Road and your ability to drive competently and safely in accordance with those rules and with regard for other road users and road conditions.
In order to take the driving test, you must meet a number of requirements.
You must have:
You must:
The vehicle must meet the minimum requirements for the category, be roadworthy and, if applicable, display a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) certificate.
Remember, when driving as a learner permit holder, you must be accompanied at all times by a qualified driver who has held a full, valid licence in the same category for at least two years. This includes to and from the test centre on the day of your test, even after you have passed.
The driving test is conducted at one of many driving test centres across Ireland. It takes about 100 minutes. Before booking your test, check that your chosen centre can provide you with a test in the category required. If not, you should choose another centre. It is a practical test of your driving skills and awareness, and also includes questions to test your knowledge of the Rules of the Road, road signs, vehicle safety and maintenance.
Everything you have learned so far will help make our roads safer for you and everyone else. Your learning and practice, plus any training you have taken will improve your chances of passing your driving test first time.
Your next step is your driving test.
The driving test checks if you're properly trained and ready to drive safely by yourself on public roads. It checks:
Read more about your driving test and how to prepare for it.
Watch some tips about preparing for your driving test.
When booking your driving test online you will need the following:
If you're ready, you can book your driving test here
There are numerous driving test centres across Ireland. Before booking your test, check that your chosen centre can provide you with a test in the category required. If not, you should choose another centre.
View all the test centres and choose the one that's right for you.
View the latest test centre pass rates.
Now that you've booked your driving test, it's time to prepare.
In the days and weeks before your test appointment you should get as much driving practice as possible, but only when accompanied by someone who has held a valid full driving licence for at least two years at all times. You should also revise what you have learned, including safety, truck maintenance, and the Rules of the Road
Now is also a good time to prepare what you need on the day of your driving test. You will need to bring:
These two documents will give you more detail on what you need for your driving test:
You should also find these RSA videos helpful when preparing for your driving test:
On the day of the test you should arrive at your chosen driving test centre in plenty of time. Remember, if you drive there yourself you must at all times be accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for at least two years.
These videos will show you what happens at the driving test.
The driving test is straightforward and takes about 100 minutes to complete.
Your tester will ask you to sign a statement to confirm that:
You will have to produce your valid learner permit before the driving test can begin.
The oral part of the test will test your knowledge of:
The practical part of the test will test your knowledge and ability in a number of areas:
While driving approximately eight kilometers in a variety of road and traffic conditions, your driving will be assessed in these situations:
Aspects of your driving assessed will include:
If you fail your driving test your tester will give you a certificate of failure. They will also quickly go through the main points on which you failed your test. This will help you identify areas to practice and improve on before you re-sit the driving test.
If you pass your driving test your tester will give you a certificate of competence. They will also quickly go through the parts of your test which you should still look to improve upon. This will help you become a safer, more competent driver. You should submit your certificate of competence for a full driving licence within two years of your test pass date.
Remember, until you hold your full driving licence, you can only drive when accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid licence in the same category for at least two years.
Yes, you can use an automatic transmission truck for your driving test. You don’t need to tell the RSA that you will be taking your driving test in an automatic truck. However, if you take and pass your test in an automatic truck, your driving licence will only allow you to drive an automatic truck. You would need to take and pass another driving test in a manual truck to be qualified to drive a manual truck. Taking and passing your test in a manual truck licenses you to drive both manual and automatic trucks.
YYes, you can use a left-hand drive truck for your driving test. It must meet the other normal criteria for use in a driving test, as follows
Use a vehicle:
Yes. You will be evaluated on your competency in using whatever handbrake or parking brake is fitted to your vehicle.
Yes. But only in the following circumstances.
Read more about window tinting.
Yes. However, relying on the reversing camera alone will not satisfy the tester of your ability to use the vehicle's mirrors and direct observations when reversing.