LEARNER DRIVERS WHO have had their permits for four years will have to take a driving test before they can renew it again. 

Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney signed the legislation today in an effort to discourage learners from holding permits without ever sitting a test. 

Currently, learners can renew their permits multiple times if they have booked or scheduled a driving test.

Under the new rules, learners will need to have taken a driving test within the previous two years to renew a third or fourth learner permit.

A fourth permit will only be valid for one year.

In addition, learners who have held a permit for seven years will have to begin the process of learning to drive again, including taking the theory test, completing the 12 essential driving lessons and sitting another driving test. 

The new regulations will apply to cars, tractors/work vehicles, motorbikes and mopeds.

They will come into effect on 1 November 2026, meaning there will be no immediate impact on those currently holding a valid learner permit.

According to the Road Safety Authority, over 64,000 learner drivers in Ireland have held three or more learner permits – meaning they have been learning to drive for six years or more.

Of those, over 22,000 people are on their 10th to 20th learner permit, while more than 1,800 are on their 20th to 30th permit.

There are currently 14 people who are holding their 30th learner permit or more.

Learner permit ‘not a driving licence’

“Road safety is a priority for this Government, and ensuring that all drivers are properly trained and qualified is essential to achieving this goal,” Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said. 

“The purpose of these regulations is to encourage learners to become fully qualified drivers. It is vital that learner drivers complete the learning process, and are discouraged from holding learner permits without ever taking a driving test.”

He said this was one of a range of actions being taken under the Road Safety Strategy with the aim of reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, working toward the goal of having no road deaths or serious injuries by 2050.

Canney said it’s an important step to end the practice whereby learner drivers can roll over learner permits without the requirement to sit a test.

“A learner permit is not a driving licence. It permits people to drive on public roads when accompanied by a qualified driver, to gain the experience necessary to drive safely,” he said.

“Until a learner can meet the required standard and pass a driving test, they cannot be judged safe to drive unaccompanied on public roads.”

The RSA has also welcomed the change, adding that they will contact learners directly in advance of the change and work with instructors to ensure that everyone understands how it will impact them.

“We all want safer roads, and the best way to achieve that is through good training, fair testing, and clear accountability,” RSA COO Brendan Walsh said.

“Helping people progress to a full licence benefits everyone – the drivers themselves, their families, and the wider community.”