To ride a motorcycle or moped in a public place a person must hold a current driving licence or provisional licence in Category ‘A1’, ‘A’ or ‘M’.

This is available from 16 years of age and is strictly for mopeds, or engine-assisted bicycles under 50cc with a top speed of below 45kmp /28mph

Note: holders of a full ‘B’ (car) licence may also drive mopeds. (providing their insurance covers this of course)

This is available from 16 years of age and applies to motorcycles of 50cc to 125cc, below an 11Kw/14.5bhp limit

If having held an ‘A1’ licence for 2 years and passed the ‘A1’ Driving Test, no allowance is made for experience gained when up-grading to a motorcycle over 125cc The applicant is required to take a provisional ‘A’ licence, to pass a second test on a motorcycle over 150cc, and comply with the restrictive periods.

The provisional 'A' licences are available from 18 years of age

A provisional licence is valid for 2 years. Before obtaining a third or subsequent provisional licence the person must have undergone a driving test within the previous two years. However, a person who is due to undergo a test and whose licence is expiring may obtain a 12 month provisional licence on production of their driving test appointment letter. The Driving Test must be taken on a motorcycle over 150cc

A provisional licence holder cannot: carry a pillion passenger or ride on a motorway and the Provisional licence is not valid outside the republic of Ireland.

A restriction applies to ‘A’ provisional licence holders who take out their first provisional licence after 17th November 1999. This restriction limits the licence holder to motorcycles, with or without a sidecar, subject to a power limit of 25Kw/34bhp or power-to-weight 0.16kw per kg.

This restriction continues for two years after passing a driving test and obtaining a full licence

The restriction does NOT apply to where a current ‘A’ provisional licence was held prior to 17 November 1999. The holder can continue to ride motor-cycles greater than 25kw/34bhp and take the test on any motorcycle. The holder IS entitled to receive an unrestricted provisional ‘A’ licence on renewal, if required.

Note: MAG has an information sheet listing motorcycles under the 25kW/34bhp limit.

When applying to renew an expired licence there is a five year limit cut off point on provisionals and a ten year limit on a full A licence.

This information sheet is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling. MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. Last updated 2001-02 Approved by NEC: 2001-03