Professional drivers

1. Prepare

You're on your way to becoming a safe, qualified professional driver of a truck or bus in Ireland.

But first, a few key points to help you.

You must:

be normally resident in Ireland to apply for a learner permit or driving licence
be medically fit to drive
hold a full, valid category B (car or light van) driving licence
have sat and passed the category C (truck), category D (bus) or category C and D (truck and bus) driver theory test before applying for a relevant category learner permit
be at least 18 years of age when applying for a first-time category C (truck) or C1 (small truck) learner permit or
be at least 21 years of age when applying for a first-time category D (bus) or D1 (minibus) learner permit
drive only the type of vehicle for which you hold a learner permit or driving licence
only drive a truck or bus when you are accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for at least two years
carry your driving licence or learner permit with you at all times when driving.

About acquired rights

Since 10 September 2014, all professional truck and bus drivers have been required to carry a driver CPC card.

However, if you were already working as a professional driver and obtained your bus driving licence on or before 9 September 2008 or truck driving licence on or before 9 September 2009, you have 'acquired rights'. This means you are automatically entitled to driver CPC.

Even if you have acquired rights, to maintain your Driver CPC, you must complete 35 hours (42 hours if maintaining both truck and bus) of periodic training every five years (one day per year) following qualification.

If you got your bus driving licence after 9 September 2008 or your truck driving licence after 9 September 2009, you don't qualify for acquired rights. In these instances, to become a professional driver you must pass:

a theory test
a case study test
a practical driving test
a walkaround test

Find out more about who can hold who can hold acquired rights.

Prepare the documents you need

Make sure you have the right form of identity to bring with you to your theory test. Otherwise you won't be able to take the test and will lose your test fee.

If you're doing your theory test at home your ID will be captured via webcam during the check in process.

Only the following forms of identity are acceptable:

a full, valid category B (car and light van) driving licence
public services card (with photograph)
passports (valid for international use only or up to maximum 12 months expired)
Irish passport cards (valid for EU/EEA travel, unexpired and in good condition)
national identity card from EU/EEA member states or Switzerland

You must be normally resident in Ireland to apply for a learner permit or driving licence.

If you want to apply for a learner permit or driving licence, you must be able to prove that you were born in or have nationality of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland or were granted residency status in Ireland.

Prepare your vehicle

You must:

ensure that the steering, brakes, front and rear lamps, indicators, reflectors, rear view mirrors, safety belts, speedometer, tyres, windscreen wipers, horn and silencer are checked regularly
ensure that any truck or bus you drive has a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) certificate, if applicable
display valid L-plates at the front and rear of any truck or bus you drive
ensure that any truck or bus you drive displays valid insurance and motor tax discs.