Irish driving test changes in 2026

What has changed on the Irish driving test in 2026?

This page lists what is confirmed, what is reported and what is still a rumour. Each item has a date. The last section is a change log.

What is the insurance certificate rule?

Since 9 March 2026 you must show a valid certificate of motor insurance proving you are insured to drive the car you bring to the test. This is on top of the insurance disc on the windscreen.

• It can be the original or a copy of the original. The RSA’s July 2026 checklist says digital copies are acceptable.
• If you are not named on the certificate, bring a letter or email on headed paper from your insurer saying you are insured to drive that car.
• You can cover other people’s names or personal details. The tester views the documents and returns them.
• You also read and sign a statement that the car is roadworthy and that the insurance cover is in place and adequate.

Many tests did not go ahead at first. RTE reported on 26 March 2026 that 1,237 tests were not carried out between 9 and 25 March because of paperwork, and that digital proof was accepted after an initial paper-only period. Without the right document the tester does not start the test and you lose the fee. Learners say the safest approach is to put the certificate with your permit the night before and check your name is on it. Our guide on what to bring has the full list.

What changes for learner permits on 1 November 2026?

From 1 November 2026, the RSA says:

• You can no longer get a third or fourth learner permit just by applying for a driving test.
• To get a further permit you must have taken a driving test within the previous two years. A booking does not count, and neither does a test that did not go ahead.
• There is no fifth permit. After your fourth permit you start the learning-to-drive process again.
• A fourth permit is valid for 1 year.
• You still have the life of your permit to take a test.

Until 31 October, a third or later permit needs proof of a test in the last two years or an upcoming test date. If your permit runs out soon, work out which side of the date you are on. The detail is in learner permit rules from 1 November 2026 and the learner permit guide.

Are grade 1 faults gone?

Yes. The 2026 testers’ marking guidelines say faults at the lower end of the marking scale (0% to 35%) are not recorded because they are not serious. Only two grades remain:

• Grade 2: a serious fault.
• Grade 3: a dangerous or potentially dangerous fault, or total disregard of traffic controls.

You may still read about grade 1 faults in older guides. Treat those as out of date. One grade 3 fault fails the test, and repeated grade 2 faults can too. Read the pass rule in how the driving test is marked.

Are hand signals new?

The six hand signals come from the law, S.I. 182/1997, and have been in the oral part for years. In 2025, press reports said two signals are asked at random before the drive. Since the RSA does not publish that detail, take it as “you may be asked to demonstrate hand signals” and learn them all. The oral questions and hand signals are marked together: three or more wrong or missed is one grade 2 fault. Read the hand signals guide.

What is happening with waiting times?

The RSA aims for an average wait of 10 weeks. Reports citing the RSA put the national average at 11.9 weeks on 19 September 2026, with 14 of 57 centres within the 10-week target on 25 September. Tallaght (22 weeks), Dún Laoghaire (19) and Mulhuddart (17) were among the longest, and Birr (7) the shortest. These figures were reported and move week to week.

Nobody can move you up the queue, but short-notice slots from cancelled tests appear on MyRoadSafety.ie, first come, first served. You manage your own booking there; see how booking works. See driving test waiting times for the latest by centre.

Did Raheny test centre move?

Reports in August 2026 said tests at Raheny ended on 18 September and moved to Killester from 21 September, with Raheny reopening in six months to two years. Confirm your centre on your booking and on the RSA site. Turas has routes around Killester.

What has not changed?

• The test fee for a car is still €85.
• The test is still an oral part and a practical part of about 8 to 10 km.
• There is still no parallel parking. The manoeuvres are the reverse around a corner, the turnabout and the hill start. See is parallel parking on the Irish driving test.
• You still bring a valid learner permit, a roadworthy car, discs and L-plates front and rear.

What about rumoured changes?

If you see a claim about a new rule that is not on rsa.ie, treat it as unconfirmed. Check the RSA page for the item before you change how you prepare. This page only moves an item into the confirmed column when an RSA source backs it.

Change log

• 28 October 2026: Page checked against RSA, NDLS and theorytest.ie. Added the 1 November permit changes, waiting-time figures and the Raheny to Killester move.
• 9 March 2026: Insurance certificate rule started.

Turas has spoken routes for more than 50 test centres so you can practise the drive whichever rules change. See the centre list.