Learner permits and licences theory test practice
Free, no accountBased on the Rules of the Road
What you need to know
In Ireland you start with a learner permit from the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS). Before you can apply for your first one, you must pass the driver theory test, and the pass certificate stays valid for 2 years. You must carry the permit whenever you drive, and you cannot take driving lessons without a valid one.
While you hold a learner permit, L plates must be shown at the front and rear of the car. You must be accompanied by a driver who has held a full licence for that category for at least 2 years. Learners cannot drive on motorways and cannot act as an accompanying driver for another learner.
Your first permit starts a clock. You must complete 12 one-hour Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons with an RSA approved driving instructor, and you normally cannot sit the driving test until you have held your first permit for 6 months. Passing the test gives you a Certificate of Competency, which is not yet a licence.
After you pass, learner rules stay in place until your full licence arrives. Then you show N plates for 2 years. Every car on the road also needs valid insurance and motor tax, and cars must pass the National Car Test (NCT) once they reach 4 years old.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules · Motorways · The driving test · Driver theory test · Novice drivers · Vehicle documents · Penalty points · National Car Test
20 practice questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
Where must L plates be displayed on a car driven by a learner permit holder?
Mark one answer · keys A to D
All the questions with answers
1. Where must L plates be displayed on a car driven by a learner permit holder?
Answer: At the front and the rear
L plates must be displayed at the front and rear of the car so other road users can see a learner is driving.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
2. Who may accompany a learner driver in a car?
Answer: A driver with a full licence for that category for at least 2 years
The accompanying driver must hold a full licence for the category for at least 2 years.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
3. You hold a learner permit. May you drive on a motorway?
Answer: No, learner permit holders cannot use motorways
Learner permit holders are not allowed on motorways, even when accompanied.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules · Motorways
4. How many Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons must a learner complete?
Answer: 12
A learner must complete 12 EDT lessons of one hour each with an approved instructor.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
5. Who must give your Essential Driver Training lessons?
Answer: An RSA approved driving instructor
EDT must be taken with an RSA approved driving instructor, who stamps your logbook.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
6. In most cases, how long must you have held your first learner permit before you can take the driving test?
Answer: 6 months
You normally need to have held your first learner permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules · The driving test
7. How long is a driver theory test pass certificate valid for when applying for your first learner permit?
Answer: 2 years
You must apply for your first learner permit within 2 years of passing, or you need to take the theory test again.
Rules of the Road: Driver theory test
8. You have just passed your driving test but your full licence has not arrived. What must you still do?
Answer: Keep your L plates and stay accompanied
The Certificate of Competency is not a licence. Until the full licence is issued, learner rules still apply.
Rules of the Road: The driving test · Learner permit rules
9. For how long must a new driver display N plates after getting a first full licence?
Answer: 2 years
N plates are displayed for the first 2 years of the first full licence.
Rules of the Road: Novice drivers
10. Your friend also holds a learner permit and has 10 hours of practice. Can they supervise you?
Answer: No, a learner cannot act as an accompanying driver
A learner permit holder cannot be an accompanying driver. The supervisor needs a full licence held for 2 years.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
11. A learner is stopped by Gardaí while driving alone. What can the Gardaí do?
Answer: Seize the car
Driving unaccompanied on a learner permit is an offence, and Gardaí can seize the vehicle.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
12. When driving as a learner, what must you carry with you?
Answer: Your learner permit
You must always have your learner permit with you when you drive.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
13. Which two things must a car have to be driven legally on a public road?
Answer: Valid insurance and motor tax
A car on a public road needs valid insurance and motor tax, plus an NCT when it is old enough.
Rules of the Road: Vehicle documents
14. What happens if you are caught driving without insurance?
Answer: 5 penalty points and a court appearance
Driving without insurance means 5 penalty points and a court appearance, with possible disqualification.
Rules of the Road: Vehicle documents · Penalty points
15. From what age of the car does the National Car Test (NCT) apply?
Answer: 4 years old
A car must first be tested when it is 4 years old.
Rules of the Road: National Car Test
16. How often does a car aged between 4 and 10 years need an NCT?
Answer: Every 2 years
Cars aged 4 to 10 years are tested every 2 years.
Rules of the Road: National Car Test
17. How often does a car more than 10 years old need an NCT?
Answer: Every year
Once a car is over 10 years old it must be tested every year.
Rules of the Road: National Car Test
18. How early before the due date can you have your NCT done?
Answer: Up to 90 days
You can take the NCT up to 90 days before it is due.
Rules of the Road: National Car Test
19. What is the minimum age to hold a learner permit for a car (category B)?
Answer: 17
You must be 17 to hold a learner permit for a car.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules
20. Your learner permit expired 5 or more years ago. What must you do to get a new one?
Answer: Pass the theory test again
If a permit expired 5 or more years ago you must pass the theory test again before getting a new one.
Rules of the Road: Learner permit rules · Driver theory test
Questions people ask
- How many lessons do I need before the driving test in Ireland?
- You must complete 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons of one hour each with an RSA approved driving instructor. They are recorded in your logbook.
- How long must I hold a learner permit before the driving test?
- In most cases you must have held your first learner permit for at least 6 months before you can take the driving test.
- Can a learner driver use the motorway in Ireland?
- No. Learner permit holders are not allowed on motorways. You also cannot use the motorway after passing the test until your full licence has been issued.
- How long do I display N plates after passing my test?
- N plates are displayed for the first 2 years of your first full licence.
Other theory test topics
- Penalty points and offences
- Alcohol, drugs, phones and fatigue
- Vehicle safety and passengers
- Speed limits and stopping distances
- Junctions and right of way
- Roundabouts and turning
- Road signs and markings
- Motorways, overtaking and lanes
- Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
- Parking and stopping
- Hazards, emergencies and breakdowns
Rules summarised from the Rules of the Road (© Road Safety Authority). Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official Driver Theory Test questions.