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Learner Permit

A learner permit is issued to allow a person to learn to drive. Before you apply for your learner permit you must pass your driver theory test. In the interest of your safety and that of other road users, you must meet certain conditions attached to the learner permit, while you are driving. More details in the Before you are a fully licensed driver section.

You must have a current learner permit to take your driving test and your permit must be for the same category of vehicle as the one you will use in your test. More details in The driving test section.

All categories of licences are subject to review. To ensure compliance with EU and Irish road safety policy, you are advised to check the website www.rsa.ie regularly.

Applying for a first Learner Permit

When you apply for your learner permit you must include two signed passport photographs and the fee with your application form. You may also need to give evidence of your identity, unless you hold a driving licence for another category of vehicle or from another country. The following table outlines what else you will need when applying for a learner permit. More details in the Vehicle categories & age requirements section.

The learner permit will replace the existing provisional licence. In the interest of road safety, the learner permit will introduce more rigorous requirements for the use of vehicles on the roadway by learner drivers. Full details will be available at www.rsa.ie.

First Learner Permit

Category of learner permit		What you need
	A1 A B M W	Application form Photograph (2 signed passport size photos) Fee Theory Test Pass Certificate Evidence of Identity Medical report, if applicable Eyesight report
	C1 C D1 D	Application form Photograph (2 signed passport size photos) Fee Theory Test Pass Certificate Medical report (all applicants)* Proof of full licence for category B vehicle
	EB	Application form Photograph (2 signed passport size photos) Fee Theory Test, if applicable Medical report, if applicable Proof of full licence for category B vehicle
	EC1 EC ED1 ED	Application form Photograph (2 signed passport size photos) Fee Medical report (all applicants)* Proof of full licence for the appropriate towing vehicle (for example category C if applying for a category EC licence)

* You will also need to have medical assessments from time to time when you have a full licence for these categories and/or when you renew.

Eyesight and medical reports

• You can get eyesight and medical report forms from your local motor tax office or from the Road Safety Authority website.
• A registered doctor or ophthalmic optician must fill in the eyesight report form.
• You must then sign it in front of them.
• A registered doctor must complete the medical report form.
• You must then sign it in front of them.

When you must supply a medical report

Not all applicants need to supply a medical report. However, you must supply one if any of the following statements applies to you.

• You are applying for a learner permit in any of the categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED.
• You will be 70 years of age or more on the first day the learner permit is being granted.
• You have any of the conditions listed in Appendix 1 at the back of the book.
• You are taking drugs or medications that are likely to affect your driving.

Note:

1. If you suffer from a serious medical condition, for example irregular or abnormally fast or slow heart beat (arrhythmia) that has ever caused you to lose consciousness, then make sure you visit a doctor before you apply for a licence.

2. You are not allowed to hold a learner permit if you depend on or regularly abuse mind-altering substances.

Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts about your physical or mental fitnessto drive.

You can get full details of the conditions attached to the learner permit on the Road Safety Authority website.

Trailers

Cars and trailers

If you hold a Full category B licence, you may tow a trailer only if:

• the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 750kg or less, or
• the unladen (empty) weight of your towing vehicle is at least the same as the trailer's design gross vehicle weight, and the combined design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg.

When using a car to tow a heavier trailer, you must hold a category EB licence.

Heavier vehicles and trailers

You must hold a Category EC, EC1, ED or ED1 Licence if you want to tow a heavier trailer. These are the licences that entitle you to drive the combinations of the towing vehicles and the trailer (see page 12).

Heavy goods vehicles and buses

You must obey the law on tachographs. For full information please visit the Road Safety Authority website.

If you drive a heavy goods vehicle or a bus for payment you must hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) from September 2008 (Bus Drivers) and September 2009 (HGV Drivers).For full information please visit the Road Safety Authority website.