- Driving Tests
- National Car Test
- Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
Applying for a Driving Test
Driving tests are designed to establish whether applicants:
- know the "Rules of the Road"
- have the knowledge and skill to drive competently in accordance with those rules.
Build up your driving experience and confidence before applying for your test.
Things You Should Remember When You Go To Do Your Test:
- Study the "Rules of the Road"
- Practice driving as much as possible on all types of roads and in all types of traffic situations, including driving at night.
- drive with due regard for the safety and convenience of other road users.
Application Form
The Driving Test application form is available from this office.
Fee
Categories A,A1,B, EB. M and W: €85
Categories C,C1, D and D1: €120
Categories EC, EC1, ED and ED1: €120
CPC Driving Test, Bus Category Part 1: €120, Part 2: €32
CPC Driving Test, Truck Category Part 1: €120, Part 2: €32
Further information on Driving Tests
Contact Driver Licensing Section, Road Safety Authority,Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Telephone: 096 78288, LoCall: 1890 40 60 40, Fax: 096 78290.
Email: drivinglicensing@rsa.ie
www.rsa.ie
When you have the Driving Test application form completed, please forward it along with the correct fee to the address below.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement within two weeks, please contact the road Safety Authority to confirm your application has been received.
Driving Licensing Section,
Road Safety Authority,
Moy Business Park, Primrose Hill
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
Telephone:(096) 78288
Fax: (096) 78290
Cancelling Your Driving Test
10 days notice of cancellation must be given, otherwise the fee is forfeit. A limit of two cancellations applies to appointments. Any further cancellations will result in forfeiture of the fee.
General Information
An Irish language version of the Driving Test application form is available. Any person who completes the Irish Language version will have their test conducted in Irish.
If you need to do your test urgently and if you are willing to be tested at short notice please indicate accordingly on Question 7 of the Driving Test application form. The availability of tests at short notice is dependent on the number of applicants who cancel, consequently the Department of Environment cannot guarantee an early test to all urgent applicants.
Additional information on the Driving Test is available in the Booklet entitled "Rules of the Road" which can be purchased at bookshops.
National Driver Theory Test
The National Theory testing came into force in June 2001. This requires all first time Learner Permit applicants in all categories to undergo a computer based theory test.
The nearest test centres are located in:
- Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
- Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
- Athlone, Co Westmeath
- Longford town, Co. Longford
You may also have your theory test at any Theory Test Centre. Please see website for details www.theorytest.ie
Application forms may be obtained from:
Motor Tax Office, Abbey Street, Roscommon OR
Driver Theory Test, PO Box 788. Togher, Co Cork.
Tests can be booked by phoning: 1890 606 106.
Fax bookings to:1890 606 906
Email: theorytesthelp@prometric.com
Applications must be accompanied by a fee of: €45.00
Testing of private cars (including second hand imports) is required under EU Directive 96/96/EC and began in Ireland on 4th January, 2000. It is known as the National Car Test (N.C.T.)
What cars must be tested?
All 4 year old cars are liable for testing and must be tested every two years thereafter.
In the relevant year, the NCT will be due on the anniversary of the first registration and subsequent tests will be due every 2 years.
Are any cars exempt exempted from the NCT?
Yes - cars which are classified as vintage cars for motor tax purposes and cars permanently based on islands not connected to the mainland by road or roll on-roll off ferry.
Are any other types of vehicle included in the scheme?
Yes - testing of taxis and hackneys will be carried out under the NCT scheme.
Who will carry out the NCT?
National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has been awarded a 10-year contract by the Government to operate the testing system. NCTS will be responsible for operating a national network of dedicated NCT Centres which will not carry out any other business.
Will I be notified when my test is due
NCTS will contact owners of eligible motor vehicles (based on official vehicle registration records) in advance of the anniversary date of first registration of your car. You will be offered a provisional appointment for the test that must either be confirmed or rearranged by using the on-line booking service or calling the LoCall booking number. If you do not hear from NCTS and think your car may be eligible for the NCT, then please phone 1890 412 413 or you can check their on-line service by simply typing in your car registration number. Owners of cars that have been off the road or have not been taxed for over 3 months will not be notified and it will be necessary for the owner to contact NCTS directly themselves.
PLEASE NOTE: NCTS can issue your certificate up to six months early for a first time NCT and three months early for subsequent NCT tests. In other words, if your car was first registered in July and you are coming for your first NCT, you can have it tested up to 6 months early in January and your certificate will still expire on the anniversary of registration 2 years later. Your certificate is then valid for 2 years and 6 months
What will I do if I lose my NCT Certificate or NCT Report
For a fee of €12.70, you can replace your lost NCT Certificate. You must go to your local Garda station and obtain and RF134 Form, which must be stampled and signed by the Gardai. Send this completed form back, along with either your windscreen disc or NCT Certificate, whichever part you may still hold, and a cheque or postal order payable to NCTS Ltd., to : The Test Certificate Administrator, NCTS Limited, Lakedrive 3026, Citywest Business Campus, Naas Road, Dublin 24
The nearest NCT Centres are located at:-
Casterea: Castlerea Co-Op Livestock Mart, Fair Green, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
Athlone: N6 Centre, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Longford: Dublin Road, Longford Town, Co. Longford
Carrick-on-Shannon: Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
You may also have your vehicle tested at any NCT Centre nationwide. Please see NCT website for details:www.ncts.ie
For further details call: 1890 412 413 or 1890 200 670
How much will the NCT cost ?
The NCT will cost €50.00 and a re-test (if booked within three weeks of the initial test) will cost €28.00(both inclusive of V.A.T.).
Re-tests, which do not not require the use of test equipment, will be free of charge. Free re-tests will cover minor visual items such as replacement of a brake light bulb or windscreen wiper
What happens if your car is not tested?
It is an offence to use a car liable for testing in a public place, without an NCT certificate. Offences will attract a penalty. Owners of liable cars which have passed the NCT will also be required to display an NCT disc on car windscreens. Enforcement will be the responsibility of the Garda Síochána.
Where do I get further information on the NCT ?
Queries in relation to any aspect of the NCT should be directed to:
Customer Services,
National Car Testing Services (NCTS)
Lakedrive 3026,
Citywest Business Campus,
Naas Road,
Dublin 24.
LoCall: 1890 200 670
Fax: 01 4135996
Email: info@ncts.ie
Website: www.ncts.ie
For Booking Confirmation or Rearrangement, phone LoCall : 1890 412 413
Please bring photo-ID to NCT - ie. Passport or Driving Licence
What is Driver CPC?
Driver CPC was introduced across the EU on the 10th of September 2008 for professional bus drivers and 10th of September 2009 for professional truck drivers. Its purpose is to set and maintain high standards of road safety, health and safety and driving among professional drivers (those who drive for a living) of buses and trucks.
Where do I apply for the Driver Theory CPC Test?
Driver CPC theory test
Tel: 1890 606 106
Web: www.theorytest.ie.
Where do I apply for the Driving & practical test?
Driver CPC driving and practical tests
Tel: 096 78225 locall: 1890 50 60 80
Web: www.drivingtest.ie.
Where can I get more information on the Driver CPC?
For more information please contact the RSA at:
Web: www.rsa.ie
Tel: 096 25 015
Locall: 1890 50 60 80
E-mail: cpc@rsa.ie.
What is the fee for the CPC?
Fee for CPC Theory Test is €72.00.