Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
322. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to confirm that learner permit holders who are on their second permit on 1 November 2026 must sit a driver test before they can obtain a third learner permit according to new regulations SI. No. 527/2025 being introduced on 1 November 2026. [29463/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that SI 527/2025 defines the amount of time a learner permit holder has to pass a driving test in years, rather than by the number of permits held. This ensures that those with one-year permits on medical grounds have the same time to pass a driving test as those granted 2 year permits ie 7 years for all learners regardless of circumstances.
Learner permit holders must, after holding a permit for 4 years, take a practical driving test before renewing their permit. If they do not do so, they must begin the learner permit process again to continue learning to drive.
Any renewal application after seven years of holding a learner permit will be treated as a first application and the learner will have to begin the learning to drive process again. For category B (cars), this entails a theory test, learner permit, 12 Essential Driver Training lessons and practical test.
