Know your rights: Learner permit renewal

My learner permit is due to expire soon, what do I need to do?

You must hold a valid learner permit to learn to drive on public roads in Ireland. You must always have the learner permit with you when you are driving and adhere to certain driving restrictions.

Your first
or second learner permit usually lasts for two years while a third and
subsequent permit lasts for one year. You need to hold your first learner
permit for at least 6 months before you take a driving test.  If you are applying for a third or subsequent
permit you must show evidence that you have taken a driving test in the
previous 2 years or have an appointment for a forthcoming driving test.

How do I renew my permit?

In most
cases, you can renew your learner permit online if
you have a Public Services Card (PSC) and a verified MyGovID account. This
option is not available if:

• You hold a bus or truck category on your licence
• You are over 70
• You are applying for your third or subsequent learner permit
• You have a medical condition that requires a medical report (see the driving licence form (pdf) for a list of applicable medical conditions)

If you
cannot renew your licence online, you will have to apply to a National Driver
Licence Service (NDLS) office in person. 

You
must bring your completed application form and the following documentation with
you when renewing your driving licence:

• Your current or most recently issued driving licence
• The application fee of €35
• Documentation to prove your identity
• A Driving Licence Medical Report Form, if required
• A Driving Licence Eyesight Report Form, if required

COVID-19 and
renewing your learner permit

During
the COVID-19 public health emergency, if your learner permit is due to expire
between 1 March 2020 and 31 October 2020 it will automatically be renewed for 4
months. This means that if your learner permit was due to expire 1 July, your
permit will expire on 1 November 2020.

You
will not receive a new licence or permit during this time, but your driver
record will be updated to show that your licence or learner permit is still
valid.

NDLS offices reopened on a phased basis from 8 June 2020. You can find details of which NDLS offices are open on the Road Safety Authority website. NDLS offices will not operate a drop-in service. You can book an appointment to attend an office in person.

You can find out more about learner permits by visiting citizensinformation.ie. You can get the application form on the National Driver Licence Service website

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find comprehensive integrated
information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s
changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:

• The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am –
  8pm
• Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information
  officer

From July, a limited number of appointments are being made in Citizens
Information Centres offices where social distancing can be facilitated. You can
continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details
in Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.