Rules for learner drivers
Licences, permits & the law · Lesson 1.4
A learner permit comes with strict conditions. Break them and you don't just miss the point of learning — you risk penalty points, fines, and even having the car seized. Several of these are favourite exam questions.
Every time you take the car out to practise: who is beside you, the plates on the car, where you are allowed to go, and how much you can drink (none).
- Know who must be with you when you drive
- Get the L-plate rules right (front and rear)
- Understand what EDT is and how many lessons
- List what a learner is not allowed to do
- Know the strict drink-drive limit for learners
A learner permit lets you drive — but never freely. Conditions apply every single time you're at the wheel, and breaking them means points, fines, even losing the car.
The biggest rule: you can never drive alone. A qualified driver must be beside you at all times.
Someone who has held a full licence in the same category for at least 2 years.
They must be with you for every moment you are driving.
Rising with delay; four penalty points if convicted in court.
Gardaí can seize a car driven by an unaccompanied learner.
L-plates make you visible as a learner — and displaying them is the law.
On both ends of the car, clearly visible.
A red letter L on a white background.
The letter must be at least 15 cm tall, with a 2 cm border.
Driving without L-plates is an offence with a fixed charge and points.
Before you can sit your test, you must complete the EDT programme that applies to you.
Standard Essential Driver Training (EDT): 12 one-hour lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), recorded in your logbook. Bring the logbook to every lesson.
The normal route for a first Category B learner permit.
For eligible drivers with a full foreign licence from a country without an Irish exchange agreement.
Some things a learner simply cannot do, no matter how confident you feel.
A learner permit holder must not drive on a motorway — it's an offence.
Learners in categories B, C and D must not tow a trailer.
You must not carry any passenger for payment or reward.
There must always be a qualified driver with you.
And the one number every learner must know — the drink-drive limit.
The drink-drive limit for learners and newly qualified drivers is just 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood — far lower than the general limit. In practice: never drink and drive.
Quick check — spot how many rules are broken.
Quick check
A learner driver is stopped driving alone on a motorway. How many learner rules have they broken?
Any adult is not enough. Your accompanying driver must hold a full licence in your category for 2 years — a novice driver or a licence in another category does not count.
Your older cousin passed their test 8 months ago and offers to sit beside you while you practise. Sounds helpful — but they're not qualified to accompany you. You need someone with 2 full years on a Category B licence.
Book EDT early and keep your logbook safe. You must complete all sessions in your approved programme: 12 standard sessions or 6 Reduced EDT sessions.
Thinking any adult can supervise you — they must hold a full licence in your category for 2 years. Driving on a motorway 'just once'. Assuming the general drink-drive limit applies to you — it is far lower for learners. Forgetting L-plates on the rear as well as the front.
- A learner must be accompanied at all times by a qualified driver (full licence, same category, 2+ years).
- Display L-plates on the front and rear; missing them is up to 4 penalty points.
- Learners must not drive on motorways, tow a trailer, or carry passengers for payment.
- Complete your approved EDT programme before the test: 12 standard sessions, or 6 under approved Reduced EDT.
- The drink-drive limit for learners is just 20 mg per 100 ml — effectively, never drink and drive.
Lesson completed
You now know:
- A learner must be accompanied at all times by a qualified driver (full licence, same category, 2+ years)
- Display L-plates on the front and rear; missing them is up to 4 penalty points
- Learners must not drive on motorways, tow a trailer, or carry passengers for payment
- Complete your approved EDT programme before the test: 12 standard sessions, or 6 under approved Reduced EDT
Content checks and sources
Official Rules of the Road references: Rules of the Road — Section 2, Rules of the Road — Section 4
A verification date is not available for this lesson.
We review content when official guidance changes and investigate learner reports. Theory Academy is an independent study aid, not the RSA.