You’ve Passed Your Driving Test – What’s Next?
What do I do!
First of all, a huge congratulations! Passing your driving test in Ireland is a significant milestone - the result of patience, practice, and persistence. However, before you cruise off into the sunset, there are a few essential steps and responsibilities to attend to. This next stage - your first two years on N-plates - is where you’ll truly grow into a confident, capable, and responsible driver.
Step 1: Get Your Full Driving Licence
Step 1: Get Your Full Driving Licence
Once you’ve passed your test, your examiner will give you a Certificate of Competency. This is the official proof that you’ve completed your test.
From here, you need to:
- Apply for your full licence through the NDLS website or at your nearest NDLS centre.
- You’ll need:
- Your Certificate of Competency (valid for two years).
- Your valid learner permit.
- Proof of identity and address (as per NDLS requirements).
- A recent passport-style photo (if not already on file).
Pay the fee and apply online or in person.
Once processed, your shiny full Irish driving licence will arrive in the post — usually within about 3-5 working days.
Step 2: Display Your N-Plates
Once you’ve got that full licence, you’re officially a novice driver for your first two years. During this time, you must display N-plates (for “Novice”) on your vehicle - front and rear - just like your L-plates before.
This period is designed to give you space to develop your independence while still reminding other drivers that you’re new to driving solo. It’s not a punishment - it’s protection. The statistics show that new drivers are most at risk of collisions during their first two years on the road. The N-plate helps signal that you might still be refining your confidence and awareness.
Step 3: Know the Rules for Novice Drivers
As an N-plate driver, you’ll have a few extra conditions to follow:
- Lower penalty-point threshold:
You can only accumulate 7 points before facing disqualification (compared to 12 for experienced drivers). - Accompanying younger passengers:
Be especially mindful of distraction. Many collisions among new drivers happen when friends are in the car. - Alcohol limit:
The limit remains 20mg per 100ml of blood – the same as when you were on your learner permit. - No towing of trailers or other vehicles unless your licence category specifically allows it.
These restrictions are temporary - but the habits you build under them can last a lifetime.
Step 4: Build Safe Habits That Last Forever
Your first two years as a fully licensed driver are a crucial time. You’re now responsible for every decision behind the wheel, and the habits you form now will define the type of driver you become.
Here are a few tips to help you set yourself up for life:
- Keep the calm you learned in lessons. Don’t let impatience creep in - keep practising good routines like P.O.M. (Prepare, Observe, Move).
- Stick to speed limits, not traffic flow. Just because others are speeding doesn’t mean you have to.
- Avoid distractions. Put your phone out of reach - even glancing at it for a second can be dangerous.
- Keep practising in different conditions. Night driving, heavy rain, or fog are all part of real-world experience.
- Reflect on your journeys. Think about what went well and what you could improve — just like you did during your lessons.
Step 5: Continue Learning
Remember, passing your test doesn’t mean the learning stops. In fact, the best drivers are lifelong learners. Consider taking an advanced driving course, especially one focused on safety and defensive driving. You’ll gain new confidence, learn how to anticipate hazards, and often qualify for lower insurance premiums.
The Road Ahead
Your ‘N’ period is more than a label - it’s an opportunity. Over the next two years, you’ll experience new roads, new conditions, and new situations that will shape your confidence behind the wheel. Treat every journey as a chance to grow, and you’ll emerge not just as a qualified driver - but as a skilled, safe, and self-aware one.
So display those N-plates proudly, keep learning, and remember: the habits you build now will steer you for life.