Photo: Raul Ling / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
Passing the Irish driving test does not give you a full licence on the spot. The tester gives you a Certificate of Competency, and you then apply to the NDLS for your full licence. This guide covers what to do after you pass, what you can and cannot do in the meantime, the €65 licence fee and the two-year novice period, as of November 2026.
Key facts
- You get a Certificate of Competency when you pass. It is valid for 2 years from the cert date.
- Apply to the NDLS for your full licence: €65 for a car licence, as of November 2026.
- Until you hold the full licence you are still a learner: you need an accompanying driver and L plates.
- A first full licence starts a 2-year novice period with N plates.
- If you let the certificate expire, you have to pay for and sit the test again.
What happens right after you pass?
- The tester tells you the result and you get a Certificate of Competency. Any restriction, such as code 78 for an automatic, is listed on it and later shown as a code on your licence.
- You keep driving as a learner. The RSA says you can drive unaccompanied only once you hold a full, valid driving licence. Keep the L plates on and keep your qualified accompanying driver with you.
- Apply for your full licence straight away (see below).
- Swap L plates for N plates when the full licence arrives.
How to apply for your full Irish driving licence
| Option | What you need |
|---|---|
| Online at the NDLS | A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID. The NDLS already holds an electronic record of your pass, so you do not upload the certificate. |
| In person at an NDLS centre | A completed and signed application form, your Certificate of Competency, your current learner permit, and evidence of PPSN and address if changed. Your photo is taken at the centre. |
Fee: €65 for a full car licence, as of November 2026. A car licence is normally valid for 10 years. You must be normally resident in Ireland to apply.
Do not let the certificate run out
You must exchange the Certificate of Competency for a full licence within 2 years of the cert date. After that it is no longer valid and you would need a new test. Apply in the first week, not the last month.
Your novice period: the first 2 years
A first-time full licence holder is a novice driver for 2 years from the date of the first full licence.
| Rule | Novice driver |
|---|---|
| N plates | Front and rear for 2 years, on any vehicle you are licensed to drive |
| No N plates | €120 fixed charge and 2 penalty points (4 on conviction) |
| Penalty points ban | 7 points in 3 years (12 for other full licence holders) |
| Alcohol limit | 20 mg per 100 ml of blood |
| Accompanying a learner | Not allowed: an accompanying driver needs 2 years on a full licence |
| Motorways | Allowed once you hold the full licence |
The novice period applies only once. If you later add another category after the 2 years, you are not a novice again in the new category. Full details: N plates in Ireland.
First things to practise once you are full
- Motorway driving, ideally with an ADI first. See motorways and tunnels in Ireland.
- Night driving and rural roads in different weather.
- Check your car insurance: tell your insurer you have passed, because your policy and premium may change.
Common questions
Can I drive alone the day I pass?
No. You need the full licence in your hand first. Until then, drive accompanied and display L plates.
How long does the Certificate of Competency last?
2 years from the cert date. Exchange it for a full licence before then.
How much is a full driving licence in Ireland?
€65 for a car licence, as of November 2026.
Do I need my certificate to apply online?
No. The NDLS has an electronic record of your pass. Bring it if you apply in person.
Do I have to display N plates if I passed in an automatic?
Yes. The N plate rule applies to every first-time full licence holder. The automatic restriction is separate.
Back to learning to drive in Ireland. Related: penalty points, drink driving limits, licence categories.
Sources
- Road Safety Authority, “After you pass your test” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Novice drivers” (rsa.ie)
- National Driver Licence Service, “Apply for a driving licence” (ndls.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Rules of the Road”, Section 1 Full driving licence and Section 3 What happens when your test is finished (Revision 5, hosted on garda.ie)
- Irish Statute Book, “S.I. No. 227/2024, Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024” (irishstatutebook.ie)
- Law Reform Commission, “Road Traffic Act 2002”, sections 3 and 5 and First Schedule, revised (revisedacts.lawreform.ie)