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Learner Drivers

FAQs for motorcycle learner drivers

Answers to questions about Initial Basic Training (IBT), direct access and progressive access.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

On 19th January 2013, category M (moped) changed to category AM (moped). There is no change to the size of motorcycle or the type of driving test you need to do.

Progressive access allows you to take advantage of your previous riding experience and skills in a lower motorcycle category to acquire a licence in a higher category without having to take another driving test. For example:

In some instances you may need to take a full driving test. For example:

  • if you take the progressive access training route to get a category A2 licence and later decide to get a category A licence, you must take a practical driving test for category A.
No. You can only acquire a licence by progressive access once.

  • This means that you can only take the training option under progressive access for either category A2 or category A licence, but not for both.
  • Where you are taking the progressive route by doing training only, you will not need to hold your learner permit for six months before getting the full driving licence.
  • Where you are taking the driving test route then you must hold the learner permit for 6 months before sitting the driving test.

Direct access means that if you meet the minimum age requirements of a particular category, you can complete a theory test (if not already completed) and you can take out a learner permit in that category and complete IBT without ever having held a full licence in a lower category of motorcycle. You also must wait 6 months from the issue date of the learner permit before sitting your driving test in the category.

Direct access can also be used to advance to a higher-powered motorcycle without having to wait the two years needed with progressive access.

For example, John is 25 years old and has held a full category A1 licence for one year. With direct access, he can skip category A2 to apply directly for a category A motorcycle learner permit and complete his IBT. He must wait 6 months from the start date of the category A learner permit to sit the category A driving test and pass this driving test to apply for the full category A licence.

No. The minimum age for direct access to category A is 24 years.

If you are under 24 years, you can obtain a full category A licence by either:

  1. holding a category A2 full licence acquired by direct access for a minimum of two years, applying for a learner permit and completing the requisite IBT training module, or
  2. holding a category A2 full licence acquired by progressive access from category A1 for two years, applying for a learner permit and passing the category A practical driving test.
Yes, you must hold a learner permit in the category of motorcycle you propose to do the training on.
The fee for the A2 driving test is €85. It’s the same for all motorcycle tests.
If you have never taken a motorcycle theory test you must now sit a theory test before you can get a first learner permit. If you took out a first motorcycle learner permit since April 2001, you will have passed a theory test and do not need to do so again in order to get a learner permit in the motorcycle category. The only exception to this is if the learner permit in the category has expired for a period of over five years.

The table below sets out the motorcycle types in each category.

Licence categoryWhat type of motorcycle
AMMopeds and three-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed greater than 25 km/h but not greater than 45km/h as well as light quadricycles. The minimum age at which a learner permit can be taken out for this category is age 16.
A1Motorcycle less than 125cm3, power rating not less than 11kW with a power to weight ratio no greater than 0.1kW/kg. The minimum age at which a learner permit can be taken out for this category licence is age 16.
A2Motorcycle less than 35kW, a power/weight ratio not greater than 0.2kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle more than double its power. The minimum age at which a learner permit can be taken out for this category is age 18.
A

 

All motorcycles including those greater than 35kW. The minimum age at which a learner permit can be taken out
for this category is age 20, where an A2 licence has been held for 2 years. Direct access is possible at age 24.