In Ireland the document most often sold falsely is not the licence card itself. It is the step before it: a theory test sat by someone else, a learner permit that was never earned, a renewal handled by a page that only looks like NDLS. Gardaí have prosecuted all three. These guides set out each pattern from official pages and court reports, so you can recognise it and know what the real process costs.
Start with the question you have
The straight answer, the law, and what the legal route costs.
Someone else sits your test: what gardaí found and what happened to the buyers.
Why NDLS has no social media pages, and how to reach the real service.
Three reported District Court cases and what they show.
What to do in the first hour and the first week.
Every page on licences, permits and tests, in one list.
Get the real licence
A first learner permit costs €45 and a first full licence €65 on NDLS, with a €45 theory test in between (all checked 5 October 2026). Our guide to getting a driving licence in Ireland follows the route step by step, and the page on exchanging a foreign licence covers people who already drive.
Other documents
Passport applications and Safe Pass cards have their own warnings. See passports and Safe Pass, and the reference pages on official checks and where to report.
Who we are
We are not a State body and we sell, arrange or broker nothing. We do not name or link to scam sites; we describe how the scams work. Read the about page, meet the author and see our editorial policy.
What the Irish evidence shows
- Theory test impersonation is the best-documented fraud. Gardaí traced 124 sittings, the RSA revoked 114 learner permits, and impersonators and a buyer have been sentenced.
- Look-alike services exist. Gardaí and the RSA warned in 2020 about a fake NDLS Facebook page, and the Passport Service warns about paid third-party sites and automated calls.
- Fake cards turn up at garda stops. The three District Court cases we found ended in fines and driving bans.
The real fees at a glance
| Step | Official fee | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Driver theory test | €45 | theorytest.ie |
| First learner permit | €45 | NDLS |
| Car driving test | €85 | MyRoadSafety |
| First full licence or renewal | €65 | NDLS |
| Replacement licence or permit | €35 | NDLS |
| International driving permit | €15 | NDLS centre |
All checked on 5 October 2026. If an offer for any of these is far above the figure, you are not dealing with the State.
Frequently asked questions
Is Truthdocuments a government website?
No. Truthdocuments is an independent information site. For official services use NDLS (ndls.ie), the Road Safety Authority (rsa.ie) and the Passport Service on ireland.ie.
Do you sell or arrange driving licences?
No. We do not sell, issue, arrange or broker any licence, permit, certificate or other document. Anyone who says we do is impersonating us.
Can I report a scam website to you?
Yes, through our contact page. Report it to your local Garda station as well, and tell the platform where you saw it.