- Fees: €85 for motorcycle, car, car and trailer, works vehicle and tractor; €120 for other categories; €152 for the CPC test (practical €120, walkaround €32).
- Non-car categories: invitation generally within 10 to 12 weeks. Cars: use the RSA waiting-time estimator, updated every two weeks.
- When you receive an invitation you have 10 days to pick an appointment.
- RSA agents cannot schedule tests by phone or email and have no cancellation list.
How to apply
- Sign up or log in to MyRoadSafety.ie, using a verified MyGovID or by registering your details with the RSA.
- Choose your category and set your goal, then go to the driving test step and choose a test centre.
- If there are no appointments, join the waiting list. When slots become available you get an emailed invitation.
- Log in, select an appointment within 10 days and pay.
You will need your learner permit and the driver number at box 4d, your PPSN and a Visa or Mastercard. The RSA also accepts a postal application with the form and the correct fee. It says it cannot take applications over the phone or by email.
What stops you being invited
- You have held your first permit for less than six months.
- Your 12 EDT sessions are not yet uploaded by your instructor.
- Your driver number or date of birth was mistyped in the estimator.
- Your permit has been expired for over five years, so you must repeat the theory test.
- You already hold a valid booking in the same category.
Waiting times
The RSA estimator covers cars only. For other categories it says to expect an invitation within 10 to 12 weeks of applying, longer for motorcycle and car and trailer tests in busy centres. You can look at the average waiting times by centre without an active application. The estimator updates every two weeks, so a recent application may not yet appear.
Anyone selling a faster test
The RSA says its agents have no cancellation list and cannot prioritise appointments, and that all bookings, reschedules and cancellations are self-managed through MyRoadSafety. Anyone who offers to move you up the queue for a fee is offering something the RSA says its own staff cannot. We found no official Irish warning about "skip the queue" test sellers, so treat that as our reading of the RSA's rules, not a reported scam.
Test day details
- Your permit must be valid on the day, even if it was out of date when you booked.
- If English is not your first language you may bring an interpreter aged at least 16, who may not be an ADI, to the first oral part and certain checks, but not on the road.
- If you drive an adapted vehicle, tell the RSA in advance. It is recorded on your full licence.
- You can request that the test be conducted through Irish when booking.
After the test
A pass gives you a certificate of competency, and you then apply on NDLS for your licence within two years. See the whole route, and the page on the learner permit.
What the test covers
The RSA says the test checks your knowledge of the Rules of the Road and your ability to drive competently and safely in accordance with them, combining questions and a practical driving assessment. It takes about 50 to 100 minutes depending on the vehicle category. You must prove you are insured to drive the test vehicle, with a motor insurance certificate naming you as a driver, or the certificate plus a letter from your insurer.
If you are not eligible on the day
If a test is scheduled but you are not eligible, the RSA says it will cancel the test five days before the appointment, you will not lose the fee and you stay on the waiting list. It then emails another invitation once you meet the requirement.
If you fail
The tester gives you a statement of the outcome and goes through where you went wrong. You reapply on MyRoadSafety and the RSA emails another invitation when your turn comes. The RSA lists the most common reasons for failing: inadequate observation, failure to anticipate other drivers, incorrect road position, inadequate progress at junctions, poor use of mirrors and signals, and lack of competence in reversing and U-turns. If you believe you were tested unfairly, the RSA has an appeals route.
After you pass
The certificate of competency lasts two years. If it is lost, NDLS holds an electronic record of the pass, and you can request confirmation by sending the RSA a statement of loss certified and stamped by a garda. If you passed in an automatic car you are licensed for automatics only. Novice drivers must display N-plates for two years and cannot act as a sponsor for a category B learner.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the driving test in Ireland?
€85 for a car, motorcycle, car and trailer, works vehicle or tractor test, €120 for other categories and €152 for the CPC test, according to the RSA terms and conditions checked 5 October 2026.
How do I book my driving test?
Apply on MyRoadSafety.ie and join the waiting list. When the RSA emails an invitation you have 10 days to choose an appointment.
How long is the wait for a driving test?
For cars use the RSA waiting-time estimator. For other categories the RSA says to expect an invitation within 10 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer.
Is there a cancellation list?
The RSA says its agents do not keep a cancellation list and cannot prioritise appointments. You manage your booking yourself on MyRoadSafety.
What do I need to book?
Your learner permit and the driver number from box 4d, your PPSN and a Visa or Mastercard. A postal application is also possible.
Can I take the test through Irish?
Yes. Say so when you book online, or use the Irish version of the postal form.