Learner driver passes test

Identification Requirements

Only valid (in date) and original documents in good condition will be accepted. If you do not bring the required identity documents with you, or you are late for your appointment, you will not be allowed to sit your test and you will lose your fee.

Important: You must ensure the spelling of your name in which you make your test booking matches the spelling of your name on the ID you present at the Test Centre. If it does not match, you will not be permitted to sit your test and you will lose your fee.

You must bring ONE form of acceptable proof of identification from the appropriate list below with you, PLUS TWO identical colour passport type photographs that conform to the required standards. Supplementary IDs may be required as indicated below.

Category B (Car) and A (Motorcycle) Candidates

PLEASE NOTE: With effect from 1st April 2013, Identification Requirements will change for candidates taking the Category A and Category B Driver Theory Tests, as detailed below.

Under 18 years old

Passport from EU/EEA Member States or Switzerland*
National Identity Card from EU/EEA Member States or Switzerland*
Birth Certificate**/Adoption Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain plus Certificate of Identity Form (PDF, 208kb)
Irish Category B (Car) or Category A (Motorcycle) Learner Permit or Full Driving Licence
GNIB card issued by Garda National Immigration Bureau
Diplomatic ID card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Rep. Ireland)
Student Identity Card issued in the Republic of Ireland by a recognised 3rd Level Institution plus Birth Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain

18 years old and Over

Passport from EU/EEA Member States or Switzerland*
National Identity Card from EU/EEA Member States or Switzerland*
Birth Certificate**/Adoption Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain plus Garda National Age Card
Birth Certificate**/Adoption Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain plus Certificate of Identity Form (PDF, 208kb) (acceptable for candidates aged 18 or 19 attending Secondary School only)
Irish Category B (Car) or Category A (Motorcycle) Learner Permit or Full Driving Licence
GNIB card issued by Garda National Immigration Bureau
Diplomatic ID card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Rep. Ireland)
Student Identity Card issued in the Republic of Ireland by a recognised 3rd Level Institution plus Birth Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain
Marriage Certificate issued in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain plus a supplementary ID to prove maiden name from this list
Public Services Card (which contains a photograph) issued by the Department of Social Protection
Free Travel Pass Card (which contains a photograph) issued by the Department of Social Protection

*Click for a Full List of Countries (PDF, 200kb)

** If you have changed your name, you must also present a Deed Poll (issued by Central Office at the Four Courts) to prove your legal name change.

Category C (Truck) and Category D Candidates

Only valid (in date) and original documents in good condition will be accepted. You must bring a Category B (Car) Driving Licence with you – it must be an Irish driving licence or one from another EU/EEA Member States or Switzerland*; plus TWO identical passport type photographs that conform to the standards detailed below.

*Click for a Full List of Countries (PDF, 200kb)

Passport-Type Photographs

You must bring TWO identical colour passport size photographs. Standards for acceptable photographs:

Photographs should be not more than 6 months old;
Minimum photos size 35mm x 45mm, maximum size 38mm x 50mm;
The photograph should show a full front view of the subject’s head, as he or she would normally appear;
The image must be sharp and clear, and taken against a plain white, cream or light grey background;
Sunglasses are not acceptable. Tinted glasses may be worn provided they do not obscure the person’s eyes.
Only head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted. Hair bands are not allowed.

The head should be centred in the image. A frontal pose looking directly at the camera and showing full face must be used i.e. show a close up of your face and the top of your shoulders so that your face takes up between 70% - 80% of the frame. There should be a marked contrast between your facial features and the background of the photographs.

It is essential that the photographs submitted meet these standards, which are based on internationally accepted standards.

Unacceptable photographs include: where the face is not clear, the top of the head is not showing, person has dark glasses, home produced photographs which are not identical or where the photos taken against a dark background.

Candidates who do not bring both an acceptable proof of identification and two identical passport size photographs will not be allowed to sit their test and will lose their fee.