Applying for a Test
In order to operate a licensed small public service vehicle (SPSV) you must be granted an SPSV driver licence. To apply for a driver licence you must first pass the SPSV Entry Test. An SPSV driver is licensed to drive any category of SPSV. The driver of a taxi is licensed to stand or ply for hire only in the county or counties for which they have been granted a licence.
Steps to Licensing
To become a licensed SPSV driver for the first time you need to pass the SPSV Entry Test.
Step 1 – Ordering the manual
The Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry is essential study material for the Industry Knowledge module and is available HERE.
The manual covers the following topics:
- Introduction to SPSV industry
- SPSV Regulations
- Vehicle knowledge
- Map reading
- Fares and charges
- Customer service, including disability awareness and equality and diversity
- Business
- Health and safety
The manual will also provide guidance on how to prepare for the second section of the test, which is the Area Knowledge of the county in which you wish to operate in order to pass this section of the test. You will need to invest time in preparing for both parts of the test and you must achieve a good result in both sections of the test.
Please ensure that you have the third edition of The Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry (click here).
Step 2 – Booking and paying for your test
When you are sufficiently prepared for the test, you can book your test here on this site or by calling 1890 340 123.
The Skills Development Test is administered by Prometric Ireland on behalf of the Authority at the centres set out below. The fee for the test is €86.10 and is payable directly to Prometric Ireland at the time of booking.
You can choose one of the following test centre locations:
| Test Centre Locations | |
|---|---|
| Abbeyfeale (Templeglantine) | Killarney |
| Athlone | Letterkenny |
| Ballina | Limerick |
| Cahirciveen | Longford |
| Carlow | Macroom |
| Carrick-on-Shannon | Monaghan |
| Castlerea | Mullingar |
| Cavan | Naas |
| Charleville | Navan (Kells) |
| Clifden | Nenagh |
| Clonmel (Cahir) | Portlaoise |
| Cork | Skibbereen |
| Derrybeg | Sligo |
| Donegal | Tralee |
| Drogheda | Tullamore |
| Dublin (Central) | Waterford |
| Dublin (North) | Westport |
| Dundalk | Wexford |
| Ennis | Wicklow |
| Galway | Youghal |
| Kilkenny | |
Step 3 – Sitting the test
When you are booking your test, you must select the SPSV Entry Test. You will be asked to provide your contact details, your driving licence number and your PPS number. If you have any special requirements please specify this at the time of booking. For details of our cancellation policy, please call 1890 340 123.
On the day of the test, it is essential that you bring your driving licence as your form of identification. This licence must be in date to complete the test. Your photograph will be taken as part of the validation process.
The driving licence that you provide must be an Irish category B driving licence, or one from an EU, EEA or other Recognised State. If you do not hold an Irish or UK driving licence and wish to use a driving licence from an EU, EEA or Recognised State as your identification at the test centre, you have two options as follows:
- Arrange in advance to get an Irish driving licence by presenting your current domestic driving licence at the Motor Tax Office. On request, they will exchange your current licence for an Irish licence. This option is most efficient from the point of view of the applicant.
- Have your domestic licence certified as valid by your Embassy/Consulate. Where an EU, EEA or Recognised State licence is in a language other than English, the certified driving licence must be accompanied by a formal translation into English that has been certified as valid by your Embassy/Consulate.
The SPSV Entry Test comprises 90 questions, 54 of which make up the Industry Knowledge module and 36 of which make up the Area Knowledge module. The questions are all multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer. You must pass both sections of the test in order to pass overall and you will be given your results before you leave the test centre. Please abide by all test centre rules and follow the instructions of the test centre staff. If successful, await your SPSV Skills Development Certificate in the post. If unsuccessful, you may book another test.
Step 4 – Paying for your licence
When you have received your test certificate in the post, contact the Authority and pay your SPSV driver licence fee by phoning 0761 064000. The fee is €250 and a receipt will be issued to you.
Note that this fee is non-refundable
Step 5 – Submitting your application
Apply to your local Garda station for your SPSV driver licence. You must complete an application form called FORM PSV 15. This completed form must be accompanied by your Skills Development Certificate, receipt of payment of your fee, a current tax clearance certificate, 2 photographs your driving licence and any other documentation requested by An Garda Síochána.
Step 6 – Garda processing
Your application will be processed by An Garda Síochána. This may take some time. If your application is in order and you are deemed a fit and proper person, you will then be granted an SPSV driver licence. Please await confirmation of this from An Garda Síochána. You will receive your ID card and smart card in the post from the Authority.
Step 7 – Becoming operational
On receipt of your driver ID card and smart card you are now ready to operate a licensed vehicle in the SPSV industry.
Important Notice: Fees unless otherwise stated are non-refundable. For further information on this or other customer service issues please visit www.nationaltransport.ie or phone 0761 064000.