Minimum age for a car driving licence in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The minimum age for a category B (car) driving licence or learner permit in Ireland is 17. Motorcycle and moped categories start at 16.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence17 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence17 years [2]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licenceThe holder of an EU or EEA licence may drive in Ireland only if aged at least the minimum age for the licence category in Regulation 9 of S.I. 537/2006 (17 for category B). For a visitor with a non-EU licence or international driving permit, Article 9 of S.I. 384/1992 refers to the vehicles the permit licenses the holder to drive and states no separate age. [3]

Notes

  • Citizens Information lists 17 years for category B and 16 years for categories AM and A1. A learner permit for category B does not allow a trailer to be towed.
  • Regulation 9 of S.I. 537 of 2006 sets the age below which a person is disqualified from holding a driving licence or a provisional licence (the learner permit). The text was read as made; later amendments were not checked in the Legislation Directory.
  • No official source read states an earlier route for category B. Regulation 9 and the Citizens Information table show 17 as the minimum, so no value is shown until this is confirmed.
  • Regulation 2(2) of S.I. 464/2008 applies the age in Regulation 9 of S.I. 537/2006 to holders of EU and EEA licences.

Sources

  1. Citizens Information Board: Categories of motor vehicles and minimum age of drivers (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): S.I. No. 537/2006 - Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Irish Statute Book (Houses of the Oireachtas / Attorney General): S.I. No. 464/2008 - European Communities (Recognition of Driving Licences of Other Member States) Regulations 2008 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.