Driving licence and categories of vehicles
You must hold a current driving licence or a provisional licence before driving any motor vehicle in a public place. You can drive only the type of vehicle for which you hold a licence and you must carry your driving licence at all times when driving.
This section describes when and how to apply for or renew a driving licence. It also describes the different categories of vehicle to which the licences apply.
Categories of vehicles and minimum age for a first provisional licence
The following table outlines the types of vehicle you may drive under each category of license and the age you must reach before applying for a first provisional license in the relevant category.
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If you are under 16 years of age you must not use any vehicle in a public place.
Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) is the term used by manufacturers for the weight of the vehicle together with the maximum load it is designed to carry (including passengers, fuel, cargo and attachments). The design gross vehicle weight is usually shown on a metal plate attached to the vehicle by the manufacturer.
You must understand the carrying capacity of your vehicle or you are at serious risk of having a crash or causing harm.
Overloading will reduce your ability to control your vehicle and is an offence.
Conditions attached to categories
Motorcycles
Category A provisional licence holders are entitled to drive motorcycles with:
• an engine power output of 25kW or less, or
• a power/weight ratio of 0.16kW/kg or less.
The restriction applies for as long as you hold a provisional licence for this category and continues for the first two years of a full category A licence.
It is your responsibility to check the power of the motorcycle. If you are in any doubt, consult with the dealer/manufacturer.
Provisional driving licence
A provisional licence is issued to allow a person learn to drive. Before you apply for your first provisional licence you must pass your driver theory test. In the interests of your safety and that of other road users, you must meet certain conditions attached to the licence while you are driving. See Section 2 for more details.
You must have a current provisional licence to take your driving test and your licence must be for the same category of vehicle as the one you will use in your test. See Section 3 for more details on the driving test.
All categories of licences are subject to review. To ensure compliance with EU and Irish road safety policy, you are advised to check the website www.rsa.ie regularly.
Applying for a first provisional licence
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When you apply for a first provisional licence you must include two signed passport photographs and the fee with your application form. You may also need to give evidence of your identlty, unless you already hold a driving licence for another category of vehicle or from another country. The following table outlines what else you will need when applying for a first provisional licence. The categories of vehicles are described above.
The learner permit will replace the existing provisional licence. In the interest of road safety, the learner permit will introduce more rigorous requirements for the use of vehicles on the roadway by learner drivers. Full details will be available at www.rsa.ie.
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*You will also need to have medical assessments from time to time when you have a full licence for these categories and/or when you renew.
Eyesight and medical reports
- You can get eyesight and medical report forms from your local motor tax office or from the Road Safety Authority website, www.rsa.ie
- A registered doctor or ophthalmic optician must fill in the eyesight report form.
- You must then sign it in front of them.
- A registered doctor must complete the medical report form.
- You must then sign it in front of them.
When you must supply a medical report
Not all applicants need to supply a medical report. However, you must supply one if any of the following statements applies to you.
- You are applying for a provisional licence in any of the categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED.
- You will be 70 years of age or more on the first day the provisional licence is being granted.
- You have any of the conditions listed in Appendix 1 at the back of the book.
- You are taking drugs or medications that are likely to affect your driving.
1. If you suffer from a serious medical condition, for example irregular or abnormally fast or slow heart beat (arrhythmia) that has ever caused you to lose consciousness, then make sure you visit a doctor before you apply for a licence.
2. You are not allowed to hold a provisional licence if you depend on or regularly abuse mind-altering substances. Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts about your physical or mental fitness to drive. You can get full details of the conditions attached to provisional licences on the Road Safety Authority website, www.rsa.ie.
Talk to your doctor if you have any doubts your physical or mental fitness to drive.
You can get full details of the conditions attached to provisional licences on the Road Safety Authority website, www.rsa.ie.
Trailers
Cars and trailers
If a Full category B licence, you may tow a trailer only if:
- the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is 750kg or less, or
- the unladen (empty) weight of your towing vehicle is at least the same as the trailer's design gross vehicle weight, and the combined design gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and trailer is no more than 3,500kg.
Heavier vehicles and trailers
You must hold a Category EC, EC1, ED or ED1 Licence if you want to tow a heavier trailer. These are the licences that entitle you to drive the combinations of the towing vehicles and the trailer.
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Heavy goods vehicles and buses
You must obey the law on tachographs. For full information please see www.rsa.ie
If you drive a heavy goods vehicle or a bus for payment you must hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) from September 2008 (Bus Drivers) and September 2009 (HGV Drivers).
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