Quad Bikes

LDrivers.ie has received several qustions regarding the legal requirements for ‘Quadricycles’ or Quad Bikes so we went straight to the horses mouth for the correct information. We hope this helps.

1. A category B licence is needed to drive  Quad Bikes.

2. In order to use a vehicle in a public place, a range of requirements must be satisfied and the vehicle must comply with vehicle standards regulations. Quad Bikes are designed for off-road use and do not conform to regulations in relation to tyres, lights, indicators, etc and it is therefore illegal to use them on the road. Mini-motos, quads and scooters are only allowed to be used on private land and only with the permission of the landowner.

3. In order to obtain a learner permit in Category B you must be 17 years of age and have passed a theory test in that category. In order to apply for a driving test you cannot sit a driving test for at least 6 months after obtaining your first learner permit.

4. The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 2006, SI No. 537 of 2006, provides the following definition:
"tricycle and quadricycle" means, respectively, any 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle in category B with a maximum design speed of over 50 kilometres per hour or powered by a spark-ignition internal combustion engine with a cubic capacity of more than 50 cubic centimetres or any other engine of equivalent power.  The unladen mass shall not exceed 550 kilograms.  The unladen mass of electrically propelled vehicles shall not take account of the battery mass;"

6. In order to drive a quad you must have a category B on a learner permit or full driving licence. All learner permit holders with the exception of those who hold a learner permit category A1, A, or M, (motorcycle/moped) are required to be accompanied by a qualified driver while driving. A qualified driver is a person who holds a full licence for a period of two years in respect of the vehicle category being driven by the learner permit holder.