Practice test
Practice Test 5
40 questions, just like the real test. Attempt them, then check the answer key below — or take the timed, auto-scored version in Theory Test Ireland.
Take this test timed and scored, with your predicted pass result — free to start in the app.
Download on theApp Store1. How many correct answers are required to pass the Irish car driver theory test?
- A. 30
- B. 32
- C. 35
- D. 38
2. For how long is an Irish driver theory test certificate valid?
- A. 6 months
- B. 1 year
- C. 2 years
- D. 5 years
3. What plates must a learner driver display on their vehicle in Ireland?
- A. N plates (white with green N)
- B. L plates (white with red L)
- C. P plates (white with red P)
- D. No plates required if accompanied
4. May a learner permit holder drive on a motorway in Ireland?
- A. No, learner permit holders are prohibited from motorways at all times
- B. Yes, if accompanied by a qualified driver
- C. Yes, after holding the permit for at least 12 months
- D. Yes, provided they do not exceed 100 km/h
5. What do N plates (novice plates) indicate?
- A. The driver is a learner permit holder
- B. The driver is a newly qualified driver in their first 2 years of a full licence
- C. The driver is under the age of 17
- D. The driver has failed the theory test once
6. For how long must a newly qualified driver display N plates in Ireland?
- A. 6 months
- B. 1 year
- C. 2 years
- D. Until their first penalty point is removed
7. What is the default speed limit on a motorway in Ireland?
- A. 100 km/h
- B. 110 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. 130 km/h
8. What is the default speed limit on a regional (R) road in Ireland?
- A. 60 km/h
- B. 80 km/h
- C. 100 km/h
- D. 50 km/h
9. You are driving in a clearly signed 30 km/h special speed limit zone. What type of area is this most likely to be?
- A. A motorway slip road
- B. A school or residential area where a lower limit has been set
- C. A national road with roadworks
- D. A dual carriageway in a city
10. A driver holds a learner permit for category B (car). Which of the following is a legal requirement when they drive?
- A. They may drive alone at any time
- B. They must be accompanied by a qualified driver who holds a full licence for at least two years
- C. They must display a red L-plate on the rear only
- D. They are restricted to national roads only
11. A novice driver in Ireland has recently passed their driving test. What is the maximum speed limit that applies specifically to them on a motorway?
- A. 100 km/h
- B. 110 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. Novice drivers may not drive on motorways
12. At a roundabout with no road markings or signs, who has priority?
- A. The driver approaching from the left
- B. The driver approaching from the right
- C. Traffic already circulating on the roundabout
- D. The driver on the larger road
13. At an unmarked junction (no signs or road markings), who has right of way?
- A. The driver on the wider road
- B. The driver travelling fastest
- C. The driver approaching from the right
- D. The driver approaching from the left
14. You are turning right from a major road into a side road. A cyclist is approaching from the opposite direction going straight ahead. Who has right of way?
- A. You, because you are on the major road
- B. The cyclist, who is travelling straight ahead
- C. Whoever reaches the junction first
- D. You, because cars have priority over cyclists
15. When may you cross a continuous (unbroken) white centre line?
- A. For access to a premises or in an emergency, never to overtake
- B. To overtake when the road ahead is clearly visible and safe
- C. To overtake any vehicle travelling under 30 km/h
- D. At any time during the hours of darkness
16. Before overtaking a vehicle on a single carriageway, you should ensure that:
- A. The road ahead is clear for a sufficient distance for you to complete the manoeuvre safely
- B. The vehicle behind you has slowed down
- C. It is daytime
- D. The vehicle in front is travelling at least 20 km/h below the speed limit
17. Which road are learner permit holders prohibited from driving on in Ireland?
- A. Motorways, whether accompanied or not
- B. National secondary roads
- C. Regional roads after dark
- D. Dual carriageways at any time
18. When is it permitted to use the hard shoulder of a motorway in Ireland?
- A. When overtaking a slow vehicle
- B. In the event of a breakdown or emergency stop
- C. When joining the motorway from a slip road
- D. During peak hours when traffic is heavy
19. At what minimum distance from the car in front should you keep in normal dry conditions on an open road?
- A. A one-second gap
- B. A two-second gap
- C. A three-second gap
- D. A four-second gap
20. What does the two-second rule for following distance refer to?
- A. A minimum time gap of two seconds behind the vehicle ahead
- B. A fixed gap of two metres behind the vehicle ahead
- C. A two-car-length gap behind the vehicle ahead
- D. Two seconds of braking time before any junction
21. What does a single yellow line painted along the kerb indicate?
- A. No parking at any time
- B. Parking restrictions apply during certain hours — check the signs
- C. You may park for up to one hour
- D. No stopping at any time
22. What do zig-zag road markings on the approach to a pedestrian crossing mean?
- A. You must not park or overtake in that area
- B. You may park there outside of peak hours
- C. You may overtake provided you do not exceed 30 km/h
- D. The crossing is for cyclists only
23. At traffic lights, what does a steady amber light mean?
- A. Proceed with caution — it is the same as green
- B. Stop if you can safely do so; the lights are about to turn red
- C. Speed up to clear the junction before red
- D. Give way to pedestrians only
24. Before signalling to turn right, a driver should first check their mirrors. Why is this the correct sequence?
- A. So other drivers know you are looking in your mirrors
- B. To be aware of traffic and road users who may be affected by the manoeuvre
- C. Mirrors must be adjusted before any turn
- D. To comply with the NCT inspection requirement
25. What is a 'blind spot' on a vehicle?
- A. An area around the vehicle not visible in either the interior or exterior mirrors
- B. A smudged area on the windscreen that blocks the view
- C. The area directly in front of the bonnet
- D. A dazzled patch caused by oncoming headlights
26. When passing a parked car, why should you check your mirrors and look ahead carefully before steering out?
- A. To check your fuel level
- B. A door may open or a pedestrian may step out from between vehicles
- C. You are required by law to sound the horn
- D. To ensure the road marking is yellow
27. What is the minimum safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist on a road with a speed limit above 50 km/h?
- A. 1 metre
- B. 1.2 metres
- C. 1.5 metres
- D. 2 metres
28. Why are elderly pedestrians considered a higher-risk group near roads?
- A. They are more likely to jaywalk
- B. They may move slower, have reduced hearing or vision, and misjudge vehicle speeds
- C. They always use zebra crossings
- D. They prefer to walk on the road surface
29. When following a motorcyclist, why should you leave a greater following distance than you would for a car?
- A. Motorcyclists always travel faster than cars
- B. Motorcyclists can brake very quickly and a rear impact would be catastrophic for them
- C. Motorcycles have wider turning circles
- D. Headlights on motorcycles are dimmer
30. When should you use your front and rear fog lights?
- A. Only when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 100 metres)
- B. At all times when driving in fog, however light
- C. Whenever it is raining
- D. At all times during the hours of darkness
31. How do stopping distances change on a wet road compared to a dry road?
- A. They stay the same if you have good tyres
- B. They roughly double
- C. They reduce slightly due to tyre cooling
- D. They increase by about 25%
32. If you feel your vehicle start to aquaplane, what is the correct action?
- A. Brake hard to regain traction
- B. Steer sharply to find a dry patch
- C. Ease off the accelerator gently and hold the steering straight until grip returns
- D. Change to a lower gear immediately
33. On a road with a thin layer of ice, by approximately how much does your braking distance increase compared to a dry road?
- A. Two times
- B. Five times
- C. Up to ten times
- D. It stays the same with ABS
34. At night, when should you switch from full beam headlights to dipped headlights?
- A. Only when driving through a town
- B. When an oncoming vehicle appears or when following closely behind another vehicle
- C. Only when the speed limit drops below 60 km/h
- D. Full beam should be used at all times on unlit roads
35. What is the main advantage of dipped headlights over sidelights at night?
- A. They reduce fuel consumption
- B. They illuminate the road much further ahead, allowing earlier hazard detection
- C. They keep the battery charged at idle
- D. They are legally required only in fog
36. On a dry road at 100 km/h, which factors increase overall stopping distance?
- A. High tyre pressure only
- B. Driver fatigue, worn tyres, and higher speed
- C. Using cruise control
- D. Air conditioning being on
37. Which of the following is the BEST remedy when you feel drowsy while driving?
- A. Open the window for fresh air and continue driving
- B. Turn up the radio volume
- C. Stop safely, have a caffeinated drink, and take a short nap of around 15–20 minutes
- D. Increase your speed to shorten journey time
38. At a zebra crossing, a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing. What must the driver do?
- A. Sound the horn and proceed carefully
- B. Give way immediately to the pedestrian
- C. Continue if the pedestrian is on the far side
- D. Flash headlights to indicate you are stopping
39. At a pelican crossing, the amber light is flashing. What should a driver do?
- A. Proceed at normal speed
- B. Give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear
- C. Stop and wait for the green light
- D. Sound the horn to warn pedestrians to hurry
40. On a narrow country road, you approach a sharp bend. What is the primary hazard to anticipate?
- A. Ice on the road
- B. An oncoming vehicle or slow-moving agricultural vehicle on your side of the road
- C. Overtaking by the vehicle behind you
- D. Speed cameras around the bend
Answer key
- 1. 35 — Candidates must answer at least 35 out of 40 questions correctly — a pass mark of 87.5%.
- 2. 2 years — A theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from the date it is issued. A learner permit application must be made within this period.
- 3. L plates (white with red L) — A learner permit holder must display L plates (white background with a red L) on both the front and rear of the vehicle at all times while driving.
- 4. No, learner permit holders are prohibited from motorways at all times — Learner permit holders are completely prohibited from driving on motorways in Ireland, regardless of whether they are accompanied.
- 5. The driver is a newly qualified driver in their first 2 years of a full licence — N plates are displayed by novice drivers — those in the first 2 years after obtaining their full driving licence for the first time.
- 6. 2 years — N plates must be displayed for the first 2 years after passing the driving test and receiving a full licence for the first time.
- 7. 120 km/h — The default speed limit on Irish motorways is 120 km/h unless road signs indicate otherwise.
- 8. 80 km/h — Regional (R) roads have a default speed limit of 80 km/h. Note: since 7 February 2025 (Road Traffic Act 2024) the default on rural local (L) roads was reduced to 60 km/h, but regional roads remain at 80 km/h.
- 9. A school or residential area where a lower limit has been set — Special speed limits of 30 km/h are commonly applied around schools, playgrounds, and residential streets where vulnerable road users are present.
- 10. They must be accompanied by a qualified driver who holds a full licence for at least two years — Learner permit holders must at all times be accompanied by a driver who holds a full category B licence for at least two years.
- 11. 120 km/h — Novice full-licence holders may use motorways and the standard 120 km/h limit applies; there is no separate lower motorway limit for novice drivers. They must display N-plates for two years.
- 12. Traffic already circulating on the roundabout — At all roundabouts in Ireland, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority. Approaching drivers must yield to circulating traffic.
- 13. The driver approaching from the right — At an unmarked junction where roads are of similar importance, you must give way to traffic approaching from your right.
- 14. The cyclist, who is travelling straight ahead — When turning right, you must yield to oncoming traffic travelling straight ahead, including cyclists. You must wait until it is safe before completing your turn.
- 15. For access to a premises or in an emergency, never to overtake — A continuous (unbroken) white centre line must never be crossed for overtaking. You may only cross it for access to a premises or side road, or in an emergency.
- 16. The road ahead is clear for a sufficient distance for you to complete the manoeuvre safely — You must only overtake when you have a clear, unobstructed view of the road ahead far enough to complete the manoeuvre and return to your lane safely.
- 17. Motorways, whether accompanied or not — By law, holders of a learner permit may not drive on motorways. This prohibition applies regardless of whether they are accompanied.
- 18. In the event of a breakdown or emergency stop — The hard shoulder is reserved for genuine breakdowns and emergencies. Driving on it or using it to pass other traffic is illegal except in an emergency.
- 19. A two-second gap — The two-second rule is the minimum safe following distance in dry conditions. Pick a fixed point and ensure two seconds elapse between the vehicle in front passing it and you passing it.
- 20. A minimum time gap of two seconds behind the vehicle ahead — The two-second rule is a time-based measure, not a fixed distance. You pick a fixed point on the road and ensure two seconds pass from when the car in front passes it until you reach it.
- 21. Parking restrictions apply during certain hours — check the signs — A single yellow line indicates time-based parking restrictions. You must check nearby signs to find out exactly when parking is prohibited.
- 22. You must not park or overtake in that area — The zig-zag markings on the approach to and exit from a pedestrian crossing prohibit both parking and overtaking, ensuring the crossing remains clearly visible to all road users.
- 23. Stop if you can safely do so; the lights are about to turn red — A steady amber light means stop unless you are so close to the stop line that stopping would be dangerous. The lights are about to change to red.
- 24. To be aware of traffic and road users who may be affected by the manoeuvre — The correct sequence is Mirror–Signal–Manoeuvre. Checking mirrors first tells you who is close behind or alongside, so you can signal and manoeuvre safely without cutting across or startling other road users.
- 25. An area around the vehicle not visible in either the interior or exterior mirrors — Blind spots exist where the mirrors give no coverage, typically to the rear-sides of the vehicle. Drivers must turn their head to check these areas before changing lanes or pulling out.
- 26. A door may open or a pedestrian may step out from between vehicles — Parked vehicles hide pedestrians and cyclists; a door opening ('dooring') can cause a serious collision. Scanning ahead and checking mirrors lets you time the pass safely.
- 27. 1.5 metres — Where the speed limit exceeds 50 km/h, drivers must give at least 1.5 metres of clearance to cyclists. Higher speeds mean greater impact force if something goes wrong.
- 28. They may move slower, have reduced hearing or vision, and misjudge vehicle speeds — Age-related reductions in mobility, hearing and vision mean elderly pedestrians may step out or cross slowly, making it harder for them to judge gaps in traffic.
- 29. Motorcyclists can brake very quickly and a rear impact would be catastrophic for them — Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable; rear-end collisions at low speed can cause fatal injuries. A larger gap gives you more time to react if they brake suddenly.
- 30. Only when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 100 metres) — Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally below 100 metres. Using them in clear conditions dazzles other drivers and is illegal. You must switch them off when visibility improves.
- 31. They roughly double — Water reduces tyre grip significantly. Overall stopping distances (thinking distance plus braking distance) approximately double on a wet road compared to a dry one.
- 32. Ease off the accelerator gently and hold the steering straight until grip returns — Sudden braking or steering inputs can make the skid worse. Easing off the accelerator gradually reduces speed so the tyres can regain contact with the road surface.
- 33. Up to ten times — Ice dramatically reduces tyre friction. Braking distances can be up to ten times longer on ice than on a dry road, so a large speed reduction and large following gap are essential.
- 34. When an oncoming vehicle appears or when following closely behind another vehicle — Full beam dazzles oncoming drivers and the driver ahead in your mirrors. Dip headlights whenever an oncoming vehicle is visible or when you are following another vehicle.
- 35. They illuminate the road much further ahead, allowing earlier hazard detection — Sidelights (parking lights) have very limited range and are not intended for driving. Dipped headlights illuminate the road adequately so the driver can identify hazards in time to react.
- 36. Driver fatigue, worn tyres, and higher speed — Fatigue lengthens reaction time; worn tyres reduce braking grip; higher speed increases both reaction distance and braking distance. All three raise overall stopping distance.
- 37. Stop safely, have a caffeinated drink, and take a short nap of around 15–20 minutes — Fresh air and loud music only delay the onset of sleep temporarily. Caffeine combined with a short nap is the most effective way to restore alertness before continuing.
- 38. Give way immediately to the pedestrian — Once a pedestrian has stepped onto a zebra crossing, the driver must stop and give way. Pedestrians have priority as soon as they are on the crossing.
- 39. Give way to any pedestrians still on the crossing, then proceed if clear — A flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians already on the crossing. Once the crossing is clear, drivers may proceed.
- 40. An oncoming vehicle or slow-moving agricultural vehicle on your side of the road — Narrow country roads often have blind bends where oncoming traffic or large slow-moving farm vehicles may appear suddenly or occupy more than their lane width.