You can apply for your driving test when you hold a learner permit however first time learner permit holders must hold their learner permit for six months and complete Essential Driver Training (EDT) or Initial Basic Training (IBT) before sitting the driving test. A reduced EDT programme is available for drivers who currently hold a full car licence (category B) from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland.
All learner permit holders, with the exception of those who hold a learner permit in category A1, A2, A, AM or W, must be accompanied by a qualified driver at all times while driving. A qualified driver is one who holds a full licence for a continuous period of two years in respect of the vehicle category being driven by the learner permit holder.
A person holding a category W(work vehicles/land tractors) learner permit is not permitted to carry a passenger unless the vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a passenger and the passenger is a qualified driver – ie, a person who has held a full licence for the vehicle category for a continuous period of at least two years.
There are legal restrictions on what types of vehicle you can drive at what age. For example, you have to be 16 to apply for a learner permit for a moped, 17 to apply for a learner permit in a standard car, 18 to apply for a learner permit in a truck category with Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) or 21 without CPC and 21 to apply to apply for a learner permit in a bus category with CPC and 24 without CPC.
All learner permit holders, with the exception of those who hold learner permits in category W(work vehicles/land tractors), must display 'L' plates while they are driving. Vehicles in categories B, C1, C, D1, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E or DE must display L plates at all times. The letter L should be at least 15cm high and appear as red on a white background, in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle.
Drivers of vehicles in categories A, A2, A1 and AM must also display L plates at all times. The plates must be displayed on a yellow fluorescent tabard worn over the person's outside clothing. The letter L should be at least 15cm high and appear as red on a white background and in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the person's body.
Since the 4th April 2011 all new first time learner permit holders for cars are required to undertake mandatory essential driver training (EDT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course is made up of 12 individual one hour lessons. The learner will be able to take the lessons at any point during the learning process and can practice with an accompanying driver during the time while taking lessons. Evidence of completing the lessons will be signed off in a learner's logbook by the Approved Driving Instructor. The logbook showing completion of the lessons may have to be presented before taking a driving test.
Since the 6th December 2010 all new first time learner permit holders for motorcycles are required to undertake mandatory initial basic training (IBT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course consists of 16 hours training which is broken up into four modules. Once this course of lessons is complete the learner permit holder is issued with a certificate of satisfactory completion which must be kept with their learner permit. Motorcycle riders must complete the programme before driving on the road while a learner.