Question:
Who has to do the test?

Answer:
Anyone who applies for a first provisional licence on or after 25 April 2001 has to do the theory test.

Anyone who has applied for a first provisional licence between 25 April and 10 June 2001 and passed the practical driving test must also pass the theory test before they can get a full driving licence.

You must bring with you a valid form of identification (i.e., passport, student ID card, travel card, etc. that has your photograph and name on it).

Question:
How many classes are there?

Answer:
There are four classes of test;

• one for motorcycles and mopeds (Licence Category AM), cars, tractors and work vehicles (Licence Category BW) and two others, one for heavy goods vehicles (Licence Category C) and one for buses (Licence Category D).
• There are 40 questions in the test and candidates have to answer 35 questions correctly to be successful. You have 45 minutes to answer the 40 questions in the test.
• The test is taken using a touch screen computerised system. Candidates select their answers by touching the computer screen. A practice session can be undertaken before you take the actual test so that you can get used to the system. You don't need to be computer literate in any way.
• If you have any difficulty with reading, there is a 'voice over' option that will read out the questions to you. Appropriate pictures or colours will indicate the different answers on the screen and you select your answer by touching the picture or colour.
• If you wish to complete your test through Irish, this can be facilitated at your test centre and during your test.
• If you make a mistake or change your mind, you can cancel your answer. If you want to skip a question, you can come back and answer it at the end of your test. At the end of the test, you can review all your answers and if you wish, change them.
• The test is scored automatically and results are made available to you immediately. You will receive a pass certificate for your theory test at the test centre.

Question:
What do I have to do to apply for the test?

Answer:
If you are applying for a first provisional driving licence, you must sit the theory test for vehicle categories A, B, M, W. You are then entitled to apply for a driving licence for category A1, A, B, M or W (depending on your age). If you go on to pass your (car) driving test (category B), then you are entitled to apply for an EB licence, without being required to complete the theory test again.

If you wish to apply for a truck driving licence, you must sit the category C driver theory test. This will entitle you to apply for a provisional driving licnece in categories C1 or C. If you wish to apply for a bus driving licence (category D), you must complete the category D theory test. Read more about categories of vehicles and driving licences here.

Question:
How many questions are in the test?

Answer:
The questions you will be asked in your driver theory test are based on the Rules of the Road and current road traffic legislation in Ireland. The Driver Theory Testing Service has a bank of 1,250 questions. For each test, a random selection of 40 questions will be used from the question bank. This means for example that if you fail the test and have to re-sit, it is unlikely you will be asked the same questions again. From 21 October 2006 new test questions have been added to the question bank.

Question:
What if I am unhappy with the result of the test?

Answer:
If you are unhappy with the result of your theory test, you have the right to appeal this decision. Speak to the Driver Theory Test supervisor before leaving the test centre. You may also fill out an appeal form, available at each of the Driver Theory Test Centres. Your application form requests that your test is re-marked. There are some rules regarding appeals; You must;

• Make your appeal within ten working days of your test.
• Enclose the appropriate fee.

When your appeal is received, your test will be re-marked and you will receive the result within five working days. Your test will not be re-marked by staff in the test centre where you conducted your test. Instead, the Theory Test Centre head office will review your test and conduct the re-marking.

If it emerges that the original marking was incorrect your fee will be refunded and your theory test certificate will be issued. You can read more about the Driver Theory Test Customer Charter here www.dtts.ie/eng/help.htm

Courtesy of the Driver Theory Test www.dtts.ie

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