It is a statutory requirement that you must hold at least a learner driving permit (previously known as a provisional licence) for the appropriate category of motorcycle if you want to drive a motorcycle in a public place. You are required to carry your permit with you at all times when driving.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has overall responsibility for driver licensing in Ireland. However, the principal local authorities are licensing authorities and issue driving licences and learning permits through their Motor Taxation Offices. You should make your application to the nearest Motor Taxation Office to where you live.
To apply for a learner permit, you must be normally resident in Ireland. If you usually live here for at least 185 days in each calendar year (because of personal and occupational ties), you are considered to be normally resident in Ireland.
Before you learn to drive on public roads, you must hold a learner driving permit, covering the category of motorcycle you wish to drive. A learner permit to drive a motorcycle is usually valid for 2 years.
Learner permit holders are not allowed carry pillion passengers (passengers on the back of their motorcycle) or ride on a motorway.
Motorcyclists with learner permits are required to display L-plates on a yellow fluorescent high visibility tabard. (A tabard is a bib or sleeveless outer garment with open side-seams). The letter 'L' must be in red and at least 15cm in height on a white background, and must be to the front and rear of your torso. It is a criminal offence for learner motorcyclists not to display L plates.
Since October 2011 the drink driving limit for drivers with learner permits and those in their first two years on a full driving licence is reduced to 20mg/100m of blood. Information on other proposed measures to protect learner and inexperienced drivers is available on the Road Safety Authority's website.
You can read the rules of the road at rotr.ie.
There are three categories of motorcycle in Ireland that are licensed for use on public roads. There are also specified minimum ages for motorcyclists.
| Category | Vehicle type | Minimum age of driver |
| A1 | Motorcycles of 11kW or less and of 125cc or less, with or without a sidecar | 16 years |
| A | Motorcycles with or without a sidecar | 18 years |
| M | Mopeds with a maximum speed of 45kph and a maximum n engine size of 50cc | 16 years |
Category A learner permits carry a restriction. This restriction limits the licence holder to motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) subject to a power limit of 25kW. This restriction continues for 2 years after you have obtained a full driving licence for this category.
Since the Driver Theory Testing Service started in 2001, you must get a theory test certificate for the motoycycle and moped categories before a first learner motorcycle permit will be granted. If your provisional licence or learner permit expired 5 years ago, then you must pass the theory test again before a learner permit will be issued.
Since 6 December 2010, you must do initial basic training (IBT) when you get your first learner permit. IBT is a 16-hour course broken into 4 modules. You cannot ride a motorcycle on the road unsupervised by your IBT instructor unless:
If you have completed your IBT and you want to upgrade the bike you ride (from automatic to manual or tricycle to two-wheeler) you must complete a conversion IBT module.
A list of approved IBT instructors is available on the Road Safety Authority’s website
You cannot take a driving test for at least 6 months after getting your first learner permit (unless you are changing from a provisional licence to a learner permit).
You may not apply for a third or subsequent learner permit unless you can provide:
or
While you are required to carry your learner permit with you at all times when driving, you are not required by law to change your permit if you change your name or address. However, it is advisable. You are required to show evidence of your permit if requested to by An Garda Siochana, so your permit should contain up-to-date information.
Exchanging your permit to amend your name or address is a free service. It is also free to have an endorsement removed, an additional category added or an error on your permit corrected.
You must send a completed application form D.201, 2 passport type photographs (signed on the back) and any required supporting documents, such as, an original marriage certificate. Contact your local Motor Taxation Office for more information.
If you already hold a learner permit for category A1, you can add category M without submitting a theory test certificate. Similarly, if you hold a category A learner permit you can add categories A1 and M.
If your current learner permit is lost, stolen, damaged or defaced, you should apply to your local Motor Taxation Office for a replacement. The replacement permit is a duplicate or exact copy of your original learner permit.
If your learner permit has expired and is no longer valid, you can only apply for a new learner permit.
You can find out more in our document on replacing a lost or stolen Irish learner permit.
Learner motorcycle permits are valid for 2 years (or in certain circumstances for 1 year only) and cost €15.
They are free of charge to those aged 70 or over. Exchanging your learner permit to show a new address or name is also free of charge.
If you are applying for a learner permit to drive a motorcycle, you should apply for a permit for Categories A or A1 or M. The application form for a learner permit, Form D.201, is available from your Motor Taxation Office, library or Garda station. You can also request form D.201 online here and it will be posted to you.
The completed application form should be submitted, along with the appropriate documentation and fee, to your local Motor Taxation Office by post or in person. You should bring additional personal identification if applying in person.
If you are applying for your permit by post, you pay the fee by cheque, bank draft or postal order, made payable to your local authority. If you are applying for your learner permit in person, you may pay the fee in cash.
Before you apply for your first learner permit, you must first obtain a driver theory test certificate. The theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
The completed application form D.201 should be accompanied by:
When applying for your second learner permit the completed application form D.201 should be accompanied by:
When applying for your third or subsequent learner permit, you have to provide evidence that you have undergone a motorbike driving test in the 2-year period prior to your application or evidence of a forthcoming test date.
Completed application form D.201 should be accompanied by:
A completed eyesight report form D.502 must accompany all first learner permit applications. A registered ophthalmic optician or a registered medical practitioner should conduct your eye test. He or she should then complete the D.502 form and witness your signed declaration on the form. The report is valid for 1 month.
You can download eyesight report form D.502 here (pdf). It is also available from your Motor Taxation Office or you can request form D.502 through citizensinformation.ie.
A medical report, Form D.501, is required if:
A registered medical practitioner should carry out your medical examination and then complete the form. You must sign the declaration on the medical report form in the presence of the registered medical practitioner. The report is valid for 1 month.
You do not have to provide a medical report if you have previously provided a satisfactory medical report which is still applicable.
You can download medical report form D.501 here (pdf) (it must be printed back to back on one page). It is available from your Motor Taxation Office or you can also request form D.501 through citizensinformation.ie.
An application for a learner permit for a motorcycle should be made directly to your local Motor Taxation office.
A list of approved IBT instructors is available on the Road Safety Authority’s website. It also provides information on learner permits.
Moy Business Park
Primrose Hill
Ballina
Mayo
Ireland
Tel:(096) 25000
Locall:1890 506 080
Fax:(096) 25252
Homepage: http://www.rsa.ie
Email: info@rsa.ie