Learner Permit

Learner Permit Licences were introduced on 30 October 2007 by S.I No. 719 of 2007 – Road Traffic (Licensing of Learner Drivers) Regulations 2007. The Learner Permit replaced the Provisional Driver Licences, which are no longer being issued since the introduction of the Learner Permit. Existing Provisional licences will continue to be valid until their expiry date. On renewal the person will be issued with a learner permit.

A Learner Permit is a licence which enables a person to learn to drive and to apply for a driving test. Driving with a Learner Permit is subject to certain conditions in the interests of the safety of the driver and other road users. You must hold a permit for the category of vehicle you are driving and comply with the conditions attached to the licence while you are driving. Since June 30th, 2008 all Learner Permit holders in respect of the categories B, EB, C1, C, D1, D, EC, EC1, ED & ED1 must be accompanied at all times by a person who holds a full driving licence in the SAME category for at least two years.

Since the 30th October 2007 persons who are granted a learner permit for vehicles in category A, A1, M, W, B or EB and have not previously held a learner permit in the five year period prior to the granting of such a permit in any of these categories may not sit for a driving test within the period of 6 months from the day the permit comes into force.

It would be advisable to note the issue date of the Learner Permit, even one day less than 6 months will invalidate your driving test. Since 4th April 2011 the RSA introduced EDT (Essential Driver Training). This involves a learner driver who received their first learner permit after this date must now complete a minimum of 12 driving lessons for the car (16 for the motorbike) before they can sit their driving test. Other proposed changes include some of the following:-

- Zero alcohol levels

- Night-time curfew

- Increased penalty points

- Hazard perception testing

- Age restriction for passengers

- Mandatory tuition

- Restricted car power

- Extended supervised driving

- Upgraded driving test