Irish Driving License Explained

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The photocard driving licence explained. All driving licences issued by Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) are now issued in EU format - a plastic photocard and a paper counterpart. Old format style licences are still valid and will be updated gradually as they are renewed and replaced. The New Irish Driving Licence 1 Surname 2 First name 3 Date and place of birth 4 a) Issue date of licence, b) Expiry date of licence, c) Issuing authority.

Your entitlements may have additional restrictions. Driving licence categories are. Mopeds Category AM You can drive 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph). This category also includes light quad bikes with: • unladen mass of not more than 350kg (not including batteries if it’s an electric vehicle) • maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph) Category P You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 45km/h (28mph) but not more than 50km/h (31mph). Its engine size must not be more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine. Category Q You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with: • an engine size not more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine • a maximum design speed of no more than 25km/h (15.5mph) Motorcycles Category A1 You can drive light motorbikes with: • an engine size up to 125cc • a power output of up to 11kW • a power to weight ratio not more than 0.1kW/ kg This category also includes motor tricycles with power output up to 15kW. Category A2 You can drive motorbikes with a: • power output up to 35kW • power to weight ratio not more than 0.2kW/ kg The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.

You can also drive motorbikes in category A1. Category A You can drive: • motorbikes with a power output more than 35kW or a power to weight ratio more than 0.2kW/ kg • motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW You can also drive motorbikes in categories A1 and A2. Light vehicles and quad bikes Category B1 You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods.

Cars Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997 You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg ( MAM). You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM. Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997 You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg). You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg. You can drive motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you are over 21 years old. Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles.

Able-bodied drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence. Category B auto You can drive a category B vehicle - but only an automatic one. Category BE You can drive a vehicle with a of 3,500kg with a trailer. The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is: • before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer • on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg Medium-sized vehicles Category C1 You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg). Category C1E You can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.

The combined of both can’t exceed 12,000kg. Large vehicles Category C You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg ). Category CE You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. Minibuses Category D1 You can drive vehicles with: • no more than 16 passenger seats • a maximum length of 8 metres • a trailer up to 750kg Category D1E You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. Inside In Inside Out Zip more.

The combined MAM of both can’t exceed 12,000kg. Buses Category D You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg ). Category DE You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. Other categories Category Vehicle you can drive f Agricultural tractor G Road roller H Tracked vehicles k Mowing machine or pedestrian-controlled vehicle l Electrically-propelled vehicle M Trolley vehicles n Exempt from duty.

Code Description 003 Prosthesis/Orthosis of the limbs 005 Limited use due to medical reasons 005.01 Limited to daytime journeys 005.02 Limited to journeys within a set radius from the holders place of residence, or only inside a set city or region 005.03 Driving without passengers 005.04 Limited to journeys with a speed not greater than a set limit 005.05 Driving authorised only when accompanied by a holder of a driving licence 005.06 Without a trailer 005.07 No driving on motorways 005.08 No alcohol Vehicle adaptations.