Turas

How to get a driving licence in Ireland

Eight steps from your first theory question to a full licence. The set fees come to about €240, and you must hold your first learner permit for six months before the test. Here is each step, what it costs and where to read more.

  1. Pass the driver theory test

    €45

    Forty multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes; you need 35 right. Book it only at theorytest.ie. From 1 November 2026 you must be at least 15 on the day. A pass lasts two years.

    Theory test guideFree practiceRoad signs

  2. Get your learner permit

    €45

    Apply to NDLS with your theory test pass and an eyesight report. You can then drive with L-plates, accompanied at all times by someone who has held a full licence in the same category for at least two years.

    Learner permit guideWho can sit beside youInsurance

  3. Do your 12 EDT lessons

    Set by your instructor

    Essential Driver Training is 12 one-hour lessons with an approved driving instructor, who uploads each one to the RSA. You cannot join the queue for a test until they are all uploaded.

    EDT guide

  4. Hold your first permit for six months

    First-time permit holders must wait six months before the test. Use them: drive as often as you can with your accompanying driver, on every kind of road you are allowed on.

    RoundaboutsSpeed limitsMock test

  5. Apply for the driving test

    Apply on MyRoadSafety and wait for the RSA to invite you to book. At the end of September 2026 the average wait for an invitation was 11.9 weeks, and it differs a lot between centres. Apply early.

    How booking worksWaits by centreTest centres

  6. Practise the roads around your test centre

    The test is driven on the roads around the centre, and the tester picks the route on the day. Learn its roundabouts, lanes and speed changes with your accompanying driver. Turas has routes at 51 centres, with a voice that calls out each turn.

    Routes by centreHow routes work

    See Turas on the App Store

  7. Sit the driving test

    €85

    Questions on the Rules of the Road, road signs and hand signals, then the car checks, then about 40 minutes of driving with a reverse around a corner, a turnabout and a hill start.

    What is on the testChecklistWhat to bring

  8. Apply for your full licence

    €65

    A pass gives you a certificate of competency, not a licence. Apply to NDLS within two years. Until the licence is issued you still need an accompanying driver. Display N-plates for two years.

    After you passIf you fail

Fees from NDLS, theorytest.ie and the RSA, checked October 2026. Turas is independent and not affiliated with the RSA or NDLS.

Learning to drive in Ireland

How long does it take to get a driving licence in Ireland?
At least six months from your first learner permit, because of the six-month rule, plus the wait for a test. At the end of September 2026 the average wait for an invitation to book was 11.9 weeks.
How much does it cost to get a licence in Ireland?
The set fees are about €240: theory test €45, learner permit €45, driving test €85 and full licence €65. Lessons, an eyesight report, insurance and the car come on top. See driving test cost.
What is the first step to learning to drive in Ireland?
The driver theory test. You need a pass before you can apply for your first learner permit. Start with free practice and the road signs.
Can I drive alone once I have a learner permit?
No. A learner must be accompanied at all times, including after passing the test until the full licence is issued. See accompanying driver rules.

Drive your test routes before test day

Turas: Driving Test Routes for iPhone. Spoken turn-by-turn guidance on the routes around your centre, with the tricky spots called out before you reach them.

Get Turas on the App Store