Driving legally
When you have your learner permit, you are ready to start learning to drive.
Before taking any vehicle on to the road you must be able to answer "yes" to the following questions:
- Is the motor vehicle taxed?
- Is the tax disc on the windscreen?
- Is the insurance cover up to date and valid to cover you?
- Is the insurance disc on the windscreen?
- If you are learning to drive a category B vehicle that is over four years old but not a taxi, is the vehicle roadworthy and does it have an up-to-date National Car Test (NCT) Certificate on the windscreen?
- If you are using a coach, bus, ambulance, goods vehicle or goods trailer and it is over a year old, does it have a Certificate of Roadworthiness?
- If you are using a motor vehicle other than one in category A1, A, or M, does it clearly display proper "L" plates at the front and back?
- If you are using a motor vehicle in Category A1, A or M are you wearing a yellow fluorescent tabard with an 'L' plate that is clearly visible on the front and back ?
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OVERSEAS DRIVERS You must drive on the left-hand side of the road in Ireland.

