The truck with trailer 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.
You must supply a trailer for the driving test, which must:
Remember, when driving as a learner permit holder, you must be accompanied at all times by a qualified driver who has held a valid full 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. 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 takes about 100 minutes. 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. This includes uncoupling and recoupling a trailer as well as reversing from the left or right.
The driving test checks if you're ready to drive safely by yourself on public roads in a truck with trailer.
The driving test checks a few main things:
Read more about your driving test and how to prepare for it.
The driving test fee for category D (bus) is currently €120.00.
You can pay with a valid debit or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
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, bus 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:
While waiting to take your driving test it's a good idea to keep learning and practicing with an Approved Driving Instructor or an accompanying driver who has held a full, valid valid category CE licence for two years or more. Not only will this help you pass first time, but it will make you a better, safer driver.
Watch our driving with a trailer videos. These explain more about doing your test and becoming a safe, socially responsible driver of a truck with trailer.
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 50 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 twenty-five kilometres 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 competency. 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 apply for a full category CE driving licence within two years of your test pass date. If you don't apply within that time your certificate of competency will no longer be valid and you will have to pay for and sit the driving test again.
Remember, until you hold your full category CE driving licence, you can only drive with a trailer when accompanied by someone who has held a valid, full category CE licence for at least two years.
No. There are certain standards your trailer must meet before you can use it for your test.
Your trailer must conform to the following:
For more information on how to prepare your trailer for your category CE (truck with trailer) driving test, see our checklist for your driving test booklet.