The Official RSA Driver Theory Test
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Resumption of Services
No, candidates are not required to wear a mask while testing. We do recommend that all candidates wear a mask/face covering at all times in a Driver Theory Test Centre. Face masks will not be provided in the Test Centre.
A booking for a Driver Theory Test may be made via our Book your Theory Test or by telephone at 0818 606 106.
If you feel unwell on the day of the test or display Covid-19 symptoms, you can contact us at 0818 606 106 and the test will be rescheduled to a later date free of charge. Please note: only one Covid-related reschedule is permitted per 8-week period.
You should already have been assigned another date, please check your email for information about a future appointment date. If you have not received an appointment please visit theorytest.ie for further information or contact the Driver Theory Test Service at 0818 606 106.
Hand sanitiser will be available at all Test Centres.
Customers will be instructed to place personal belongings in a locker. Each locker will be cleaned with antibacterial wipes between each candidate use. Customers will maintain possession of the locker key and the ID and asked to take a seat in the waiting area.
Customer information sheets have been posted on the notices area of the Test Centre so customers will no longer need to handle these documents. Customers will be asked to place the ID (open on the picture page if a passport) into a plastic pocket provided and onto the desk for inspection by the Test Centre Administrator.
Theory Test Centres will have a one-way entry and exit system where possible in the candidate flow to minimise contact between candidates and staff.
Customers may wear gloves and/or a face covering while attending for your appointment in the Test Centre, however, these must be brought with you to the Test Centre.
Face masks/covering or gloves will not be not be provided in the Test Centre. You will be asked to safely remove the mask (temporarily) to verify your identity as part of the check-in procedure.
It is recommended that all customers wear a face covering at all times in a Driver Theory Test Centre to ensure the safest possible environment for customers and staff.
Hand sanitiser will be available in the Test Centre, at test stations and at other points of contact for customers. Test stations, lockers and all contact areas will be wiped down regularly.
Booking your Test
A person who is disqualified may undergo a driving theory test in respect of the categories AM or BW. Persons seeking a test in the higher categories (Truck, Bus, CPC, ADI) may only undergo the test when they hold a valid driving licence in category B and they thus cannot undergo the test when disqualified.
Persons who have passed the theory test in categories AM or BW while disqualified may subsequently have the certificate accepted if presented within the validity period and with a valid application for a learner permit.
For further clarification please visit the RSA website.
There are five separate Driver Theory Test categories:
| Category | Exam name | Respective Learner Permit/Driving Licence Category |
|---|---|---|
| AM | Motorcycle/Moped Theory Test | A, A1, A2 and AM |
| BW | Car/Tractor & Work Vehicles Theory Test | B, BE and W |
| C | Truck Theory Test | C, CE, C1 and C1E |
| D | Bus Theory Test | D, DE, D1 and D1E |
| CD | Bus & Truck Theory Test |
There are over 40 Driver Theory Test locations throughout the Republic of Ireland. You can choose a Test Centre that is most convenient to you. Please note that available appointment times may vary between Test Centres.
You will be able to select your test centre and view its current appointment times at the online booking service.
The official fees for the Driver Theory Test are detailed in the relevant booking page – please choose your test type from the Booking Page.
Accepted payment methods for All Driver Theory Test Categories are Mastercard, Visa Credit and Debit card, Revolut card and cheque or postal order.
If you have a disability and require our Test Day Assistance service you can contact us on 0818 606 106 or via our Contact Form.
Changing your Test
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your booking providing the request is made no later than 5 (five) calendar days before the day of your Test.
Alternatively, please call our Candidate Services Team on 0818 606 106 (Lo-call rate) Monday to Friday from 8AM to 6PM.
If you fail to arrive at the Test Centre in time for your test appointment, or cancel your test in less than 5 business days (to include 3 complete business days) prior to your test date, you will lose your test fee.
Taking your Test
We ask that you please arrive 30 minutes ahead of your test time to allow for your check-in process.
Firstly, the Test Centre staff will check if you have the required Identification.
Please note that if you do not bring the required identification with you or you are late for your appointment you will not be allowed to test and you will lose your test fee.
Then, you will be signed in and a Test Centre Administrator (TCA) will explain the procedures and how the test works. They will then show you to the workstation where you will take your test.
Theory Tests are provided in the Irish language for Vehicle Categories A, B, C & D.
You will be given a specific timeframe and number of questions depending on the your Driver Theory Test category. The questions are selected randomly from the question bank for the relevant test sections.
| Category | Time | Questions | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM or BW | 45 mins | 40 | 35 |
| C or D | 120 mins | 100 | 74 |
| CD | 180 mins | 140 | 104 |
| Bus Module Test | 45 mins | 40 | 30 |
| Truck Module Test | 45 mins | 40 | 30 |
Yes, you can skip or mark questions and then come back to them at any stage within your test time.
Yes, there is a simple way to cancel your answer and select another.
No – as part of the test there is the option to take a practice session so you can become familiar with how the test works. If you do have any concerns or problems our staff are trained to help.
Any attempt by a candidate to cheat in the Driver Theory Test is taken seriously.
Prometric Ireland Ltd. is employed by the Road Safety Authority to deliver the Driver Theory Test in a secure environment, to protect the integrity of the test and to provide a fair and equal opportunity to all candidates who sit the test. Any attempts to cheat that contravene this secure and fair environment are reported immediately to the Road Safety Authority.
If an incident of cheating occurs, it will be reviewed on a case by case basis. On foot of the review, a non-testing period may be applied to a candidate. During this period, the candidate is not permitted to book or sit a Driver Theory Test.
The candidate will be informed in writing if a non-testing period is to be applied and the duration of this period. Finally, we also wish to remind you that the Test Centre is video and audio monitored at all times.
A maximum non-testing period of 3 months from the test date is applied to candidates caught cheating.
Yes, you can exit your test at any time you see fit.
Test Results
Once you have completed your Driver Theory Test, before you leave the Test Centre, you will be handed a score report with your results.
There is both an accent and a síneadh fada command on a keyboard/smart device that are coded differently but look exactly the same to a user. If one is used on the registration process and then the other is used to look up the online score report there will be a mismatch. Please ensure to use the correct version of an accent or a síneadh fada when registering and when trying to look up the online version of your score report.
You can now apply online for your Learner Permit at the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) website. No need to complete paper forms, book appointments or attend an NDLS centre. All you need is your Public Services Card and your verified MyGovID. Read more about NDLS Online.
You no longer need to present your Pass certificate at the NDLS centres. You can complete your NDLS appointment without a physical copy of the score report.
You can request a rescore of your Driver Theory Test by calling 0818 606 106 (Lo-call rate) to speak to our Candidate Service Team who are available Monday to Friday from 8AM to 6PM (excluding public holidays).
You will be asked to complete a test appeals which can be returned via email. Please note you can only appeal a test result within 10 days of your exam.
The fee for this process is €15.00. Acceptable payment methods are: Cheque or Postal Order made payable to Prometric Ireland.
Once you have completed your Driver Theory Test, before you leave the Test Centre, you will be handed a score report with your results. This report will show the specific category areas where you answered questions incorrectly.
It is strongly advised to wait at least 3 complete business days before you re-sit your test again to allow you time to revise.
Your Driver Theory Test Certificate is only valid for 2 years from the date of your test.
If you have not submitted an application to the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres for your first learner permit within 2 years of your test, you will have to sit and pay for the test again.
Additional Information
Please Note: only drivers who have passed a Full Category C (Truck) Theory Test or full Category D (Bus) Theory Test on or after September 30th, 2014, are eligible to sit a Bus or Truck Module Theory Test.
These tests can be taken in addition to either the full Bus Theory Test or full Truck Theory Test.
For example; when a candidate sits and passes the Bus Driver Theory Test this provides them with a Driver Theory Test Certificate in driving a bus, plus the first part of the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
If within two years of passing the full Bus Driver Theory Test the candidate decides they would like to be able to drive a truck also, they can sit the Truck Module Theory Test, meaning that they do not need to sit the full Truck Driver Theory Test.
However, if the candidate decides they would also like to be able to drive a truck two years after they initially sat the full Bus Theory Test, this exemption will expire and they will be required to sit the full Truck Theory Test as normal.
To book your Bus Module Test please call our Candidate Services Team on 0818 606 106 (Lo-call rate) Monday to Friday from 8AM to 6PM.
You are required to pass a Driver Theory Test if it is your first learner permit / provisional licence in a specific category.
You must submit your application to the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres and provide the Driver Theory Test certificate in respect of the category you are applying for.
The Official Driver Theory Test service is operated by Prometric Ireland Ltd. on behalf of the Road Safety Authority.
There are various options to accommodate candidates who may require special assistance to take their test.
For instance, we offer a voiceover option whereby the questions and answers are read out to the candidate over the headphones; we can allow extra time for the candidate to take the test; we also offer a reader recorder service whereby a staff member will read the questions and answers to the candidate and record their answer on screen.
For more information please see Test Day Assistance/Support.
Please see our Official Revision Material page.
To apply for a BE learner permit you must hold a full current category B driving licence. Theory Tests for car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category BE) are grouped together for Theory Test purposes.
If you sat and passed the Theory Test for your category B learner permit on or after 25 April 2001 you do not need to sit the Theory Test when applying for a learner permit for car and trailer (Category BE).
However, if you applied for your first category B learner permit before the introduction of Theory Test on the 25 April 2001, you must now complete a Theory Test before applying for a category BE learner permit.
In the interest of maintaining a quiet and professional testing environment for all candidates, we ask that all Driver Theory Test candidates behave in a respectful and appropriate manner when attending the Test Centre. Abusive and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated at the Test Centres.
Should a Driver Theory Test candidate behave in an unsatisfactory manner, it is possible that the candidate may not be permitted to test and may be asked to leave the Test Centre. The Gardaí will be contacted if necessary.
If an incident of abusive and/or anti-social behaviour occurs, it will be reviewed on a case by case basis. On foot of the review, a non-testing period may be applied to a candidate. During this period, the candidate is not permitted to book or sit a Driver Theory Test. The candidate will be informed in writing if a non-testing period is to be applied and the duration of this period.
Finally, we also wish to remind you that the Test Centre is video and audio monitored at all times.
A maximum non-testing period of 3 months from the test date may be applied to candidates demonstrating anti-social behaviour.
For full details on the Driver CPC licence acquisition process are available from the RSA CPC Unit website.
If you sat and passed your BW Theory Test you can apply online for your Learner Permit at NDLS.ie.
The ESDS Theory Test is open to nominated emergency services drivers who work for the following organisations which form the ESDS Panel (who were involved in the development of the standard):
- Civil Defence
- The Irish Coast Guard
- The Defence Forces
- An Garda Síochána
- Health Service Executive National Ambulance Service
- The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
- The Chief Fire Officer’s Association
- The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management
- The Irish Prison Service
The purpose of the test is to examine knowledge of the appropriate level of ESDS. In order to prepare for your ESDS Theory Test the RSA have a recommended reading list, which is detailed below.
- ESDS Guidance Manual
- ESDS Syllabus
- Rules of the Road
- RSA Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines
- RSA Learning to Drive a Car
- RSA Guide – Sharing the Road with Emergency Service Vehicles
- RSA Learning to Drive a Truck
- ESDS Information booklet
- ESDS Competence Framework
- RSA Learning to drive a bus
- ESDS Drivers Guide
- ESDS Trainers Handbook
- ESDS Tactical Response Guidelines
- Roadcraft
Full details can be found on ESDS section of the RSA website.
