Car & Bike Theory IrelandCategory AM, the rider’s test
Learner riders sit the Driver Theory Test under category AM — the motorcycle and moped category — rather than the BW category that car drivers sit. You must pass it before applying for a motorcycle learner permit.
Which motorcycle category you eventually ride under (AM, A1, A2 or A) depends on your age and the machine, and the thresholds have changed over the years. Confirm your category with the RSA before booking, because sitting the wrong test wastes both the fee and the wait.
Format and pass mark
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 |
| Needed to pass | 35 |
| Time allowed | 45 minutes |
| Fee | €45.00 (checked September 2026) |
| Marking | One overall pass mark, no per-section threshold |
Thirty-five out of forty is 87.5%: five wrong answers is the entire budget. Fees are set by the test service and change, so confirm the current figure at booking.
What the test covers
Questions come from five topic areas: safe and socially responsible riding, legal matters and the Rules of the Road, managing risk, control of the motorcycle, and technical matters.
The framing matters. The car test asks what a driver should do; the rider test asks what a rider should do, and a rider’s answer is frequently different — on positioning in the lane, on surface hazards that a car would simply drive over, on being seen at junctions, and on protective equipment. Preparing from car material will leave gaps exactly where the test is hardest.
The single biggest theme. A large share of the riding content comes back to conspicuity and vulnerability: being seen, assuming you have not been seen, and leaving yourself an out. If an answer option involves relying on another driver having noticed you, treat it with suspicion.
Where the theory test fits
- Pass the category AM theory test.
- Apply for a motorcycle learner permit.
- Complete Initial Basic Training with an approved instructor.
- Build experience on the learner permit.
- Sit the practical riding test.
The theory test certificate is valid for two years from the date of the test, and you should apply for your learner permit inside that window. IBT is a further commitment of at least sixteen hours across four modules, so the two years disappear faster than they look.
On the day, and afterwards
Bring one accepted photographic identification document in hard copy, with the name matching your booking exactly. Arriving late, or without it, means you cannot test and lose the fee.
A pass or fail appears on screen immediately, with a report showing which category areas you answered correctly and incorrectly. There is no limit on attempts, and it is strongly advised to wait at least three complete business days before re-sitting. Booking detail is in booking and ID.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the motorcycle theory test in Ireland?
35 out of 40, the same as the car test, with 45 minutes allowed. It is a single overall mark with no separate threshold per topic area.
Is the motorcycle theory test different from the car one?
Yes. Riders sit category AM rather than BW. The length, timing and pass mark are the same, but the questions are written around riding — positioning, surface hazards, conspicuity and protective equipment — so preparing from car material leaves gaps.
How much does the motorcycle theory test cost?
€45.00, checked on theorytest.ie in September 2026. Confirm the current fee during booking, as it is set by the test service and changes.
Do I need IBT as well as the theory test?
Yes. Passing the theory test lets you apply for a motorcycle learner permit; Initial Basic Training is a separate, practical requirement completed with an approved instructor, and it is at least sixteen hours across four modules.
Practise the real test shape
Car & Bike Theory Ireland turns this material into separate category BW and AM practice: full 40-question mocks on the real timing, a road-signs trainer, rider guides, and an explanation on every answer.
Independent guide: TritonApps is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Road Safety Authority or the Driver Theory Test service. This page summarises published guidance for convenience and is not official advice. Always confirm current requirements and fees with the RSA before you book.