Frequently Asked Questions - Motorcycle
Training
How do I get started?
A valid Irish Learner Permit / Provisional
License required before taking any motorcycle
training or test.
The Theory test
Before you can take any motorcycle training, you
will have to take and pass the theory test for
motorcycles; this will still apply even if you
have full entitlements of other category (Car,
HGV, Coach or P.S.V). Please visit www.dtts.ie
for further information. We suggest you to buy
the latest edition of the Theory Test CD and do
as many mock tests before attempting to do the
actual test.
Do I need to do a motorcycle theory test
before I can take an IBT course?
Yes, your IBT training certificate should
indicate your learner permit number and your IBT
instructor will not train you without a proper
learner permit for insurance purposes and health
and safety issues
What if I have already passed a theory test
for another type of vehicle? i.e. Car, HGV,
Coach or PSV do I have to take it again?
Yes every type of licence category requires a
theory test relevant to the vehicle that the
test is being taken on.
I have a full car licence, what can I ride?
If your licence was issued before October 2006,
then you can ride a 50cc moped, capable of not
more than 30mph. Strangely enough, you will not
need to display L plates, and you can carry a
passenger if the motorcycle has a passenger seat
and rear footrests. If you want to ride a
motorcycle of over 50cc, up to 125cc, you must
pass your theory test to obtain a learner permit
and take Initial Basic Training (IBT), you must
display L plates, and you must not carry
passengers.
What if my full car licence was issued after
October 2006?
Then you will need to pass your theory test to
obtain a learner permit and take Initial Basic Training (IBT), you must
display L plates, and you must not carry
passengers. take Initial Basic
training (IBT). Once you have completed this
course, you will be able to ride a 50cc moped
and you will also be able to ride a motorcycle
of up to 25kw or 33bhp with L plates (no
passengers allowed).
I have a full car licence, do I need to do a
theory test and take IBT to get a full
motorcycle licence?
Yes. Everyone must take a motorcycle theory test
and IBT before they can take the motorcycle
practical test.
With the new change of law in testing is it now
much harder to pass the motorcycle test?
No, here at Comfort GalwayMotorcycleInstructor.com, we ensure that all of our
training courses are tailored to your individual
needs, our motorcycle training courses are in
line with the Road Safety Authority
recommendation that all training should be
"modular, structured training over a period of
time", this means you can learn comfortably at
you own pace & also spread the cost as well.
I have a learner permit issued after Dec 6,
2010, what can I ride?
With a learner permit, you are not allowed
to ride on the road until you have completed
Initial Basic Training. Once you have completed
the course you can ride a 50cc moped if your 16,
or if you are 17 years old or over, with
category A1 on your learner permit, you
can ride a learner legal motorcycle up to 125cc;
If you are over 18 you could ride up to 25kw or
33bhp. You will also have
to display L plates at all times, and you are
not allowed to carry pillion passengers or travel on
motorways. Your IBT certificate will only be
valid for 2 years, so you will need to renew it,
or go on to take your full licence before it
expires.
I just want to ride a small motorbike, around
250cc, what do I need to do?
To ride a bike up to a power limit of 33 BHP or
25KWH, you will need to complete motorcycle
theory test for category A and IBT certificate.
I want to ride a big bike, around 600cc, but
I've not passed my full motorcycle test. Is
there anything I can do?
Yes! If you over 18 years old you can take the
restricted bike route. You will need to start
with a licence showing provisional or learner
permit Category A,
then you need to pass the Aon or Quinn Insurance
skills assessment done and your insurance
company will insure your bike with certain level
they require, which entitles you to ride any
SIZE motorcycle, provided it does not produce
more than 33bhp, or 25kw. Many larger
motorcycles can be restricted to this power
limit, and the good news is that once you have
held a full A licence for 2 years, regardless of
your age) it automatically becomes a full,
unrestricted (A) licence and you can ride any
motorcycle you fancy.
I took my IBT on a 50cc moped when I was 16
years old. I'm now 17 and I would like to ride a
125cc bike. What do I need to do?
First, check that your licence shows Category A1
provisional. If so, you can ride a 125cc machine
for as long as your IBT certificate lasts. If
your licence doesn't have Category A showing,
you will need to apply to your Licensing
Authority. Once you have got your licence back,
you will be able to ride a 125cc machine until
your IBT certificate expires.
I took my full licence test on an automatic
scooter. Can I ride a motorcycle with clutch and
gears?
A full licence taken on a motorcycle with
automatic transmission will only act as a
provisional licence for manual bikes, so you
will be limited to automatic only, until you
pass a Practical test on a motorcycle with
manual transmission.
I'm 16 years old, and I've completed my IBT.
Is there a test I can do to ride a bigger bike?
No. You can take a full Moped test, by first
passing the theory and then the moped practical
test. You would then be entitled to ride without
L plates, and carry a passenger, but you would
still be limited to 50cc and 50 KPH.
I have a provisional licence, issued a few
years ago. Will I need to change it or renew it
before I start training for a Motorcycle Licence?
Probably yes! Many older provisional licences
had a 2 year limit on Category A, motorcycle
entitlement. The good news is that the 2 year
limit no longer applies, but you MUST have it
renewed by your local Licensing Authority if it
has expired, otherwise you will not be able to
ride anything bigger than a 50cc moped, even if
you have a valid IBT Certificate. Most of the
Local Licensing Authorities usually take about 3
weeks to issue a licence.
My provisional / learner permit was issued prior to Dec. 6, 2010, Do I have to complete IBT? No, you are exempted from IBT but we'll always suggest that any motorcycle rider to take some sort of formal training before attempting ride on public roads.
For further information read the OFFICIAL RSA SITE ABOUT MOTORCYCLISTS, MOTORCYCLE TEST AND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AT www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Motorcyclists