Full Driving Licence for Motorcycles

How to Apply

When you pass a motorcycle driving test in Ireland, you are entitled to apply for a full driving licence for that category of motorcycle. You can obtain your driving licence by post or in person. Find out how to apply for or renew your driving license at the following link: How to apply

Responsibility for Driver Licensing

While the Department of Transport has overall responsibility for driver licensing, your local authority is a licensing authority and issues driving licences. Application forms and any other forms you may be required to submit with your application are available from the Motor Taxation Office of your local authority. You are required to carry your full driving licence with you at all times when driving in Ireland or risk incurring penalty points.

A full driving licence to drive a motorcycle will reduce the cost of your motor insurance premium and permit you to drive in other countries.

You are entitled to apply for a full driving licence to drive a motorcycle if:

You have recently passed a motorcycle driving test
You already hold a driving licence that will expire within one month and you want to renew it
You held a driving licence that expired less than ten years ago and you want to renew it
You hold a driving licence and you want to add an additional category of motorcycle to it and a driving test is not required or you are exchanging a current valid driving licence for a motorcycle issued by another EU member state or another "recognised state".
If you have a full Irish driving licence to drive a motorcycle, this driving licence is accepted for use or exchange in all other EU/European Economic Area (EEA) member states. If you are travelling outside of the EU/EEA and will be driving, you may require an international driving permit.

Full motorcycle driving licence categories

There are three categories of motorcycle in Ireland that are licensed for use on public roads. If you have a full driving licence to drive a car in Ireland prior to 21st October 2006 (Category B), you are automatically entitled to drive one category of motorcycle (Category M). The three categories of motorcycle driving licence are:

Category Vehicle Minimum age of driver

A Motorcycles with or without sidecar 18

A1 Motorcycles with an engine size of 51-125cc and/or a speed capability of over 45km/h and with a power rating not exceeding 11 kW, and with or without sidecar 16

M* Two-wheeled vehicles with an engine size not exceeding 50 cc and/or a speed capability not more than 45 km/h 16

*If you already hold a full driving licence for Category B (cars) prior to 21 October 2006 and/or either Category A or A1, you are automatically licensed to drive Category M vehicles.

Period of time a full driving licence for motorcycles is issued for

The period of time a full driving licence for motorcycles is issued for will depend on the age of the applicant. There are four age brackets that the period of a licence falls under:

If you are under 60 years of age, you may apply for a three- or ten-year licence
If you are older than 60 but younger than 67 years of age, you may apply for a three-year licence or a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday
If you are older than 67 but under 70 years of age, you may apply for a three-year licence
If you are over the age of 70, you will need a certification of fitness to drive by your doctor to apply for a three-year or one-year licence
Category A driving licences 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 two years after you complete your motorcycle driving licence test for this category and you have obtained a full driving licence for this category. This restriction was introduced for anyone applying for a Category A driving licence after 17 November 1999.
The restriction does not apply if you hold a current provisional licence taken out prior to 17 November 1999. This means that you can continue to ride motorcycles greater than 25Kw and take your motorcycle driving test on any motorcycle.

Motorcycle Driving Licence Fees

Licence Period Cost

One year - 5 euro (based on medical grounds only)
Three years - 15 euro
Ten years - 25 euro
Duplicate Licence - 10 euro

Motorcyclists over the age of 70 can get their full driving licence renewed for free.

Driver Testing Section

Government Offices
Department of Transport
Ballina
Co. Mayo
Telephone: (096) 78289
LoCall: (1890) 40 60 40 (calls charged at local rate from anywhere in the country)

For more information visit http://www.citizensinformation.ie/