Ireland Bus Theory Test Practice 2026: Practice test 8

Practice test 8 of 8 for the Ireland Bus Theory Test Practice: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Commercial vehicle
Ireland
210 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
You feel drowsy while driving on a long journey. What is the safest action?
- Speed up to finish the journey sooner
- Turn up the radio and carry on
- Open the window and keep driving
- Stop somewhere safe and take a break
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop somewhere safe and take a break
Tiredness slows your reactions. Stop somewhere safe and rest before driving on.
Question 2 of 25
In what order must Essential Driver Training sessions be taken?
- In any order you like, as long as all 12 are done before the test
- All 12 sessions in strict number order, from session 1 up to session 12
- Sessions 9 to 12 first, then sessions 1 to 8 in any order the instructor chooses
- Session 1 first, then sessions 2 to 8 in any order, then sessions 9 to 12
Show answer
Answer: D. Session 1 first, then sessions 2 to 8 in any order, then sessions 9 to 12
Session 1 comes first. Sessions 2 to 8 can be in any order, and sessions 9 to 12 follow once 2 to 8 are done.
Question 3 of 25
How long is a Certificate of Competency from the driving test valid?
- Six months
- Five years
- Two years
- Ten years
Show answer
Answer: C. Two years
The Certificate of Competency is valid for two years, so apply for your full licence as soon as possible.
Question 4 of 25
Who must wear a seat belt in a car?
- Everyone, where a seat belt is fitted
- Only people travelling on motorways
- Only the driver and front-seat passenger
- Only the driver
Show answer
Answer: A. Everyone, where a seat belt is fitted
Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt on every journey where one is fitted.
Question 5 of 25
According to the RSA, how much more likely are you to crash if you use a phone while driving?
- It makes no difference
- Twice as likely
- Ten times more likely
- Four times more likely
Show answer
Answer: D. Four times more likely
Drivers who use a phone are four times more likely to be in a crash.
Question 6 of 25
When may you overtake another vehicle on the left?
- When you are running late and the left side is clear
- When the driver ahead is signalling to turn right
- Whenever the left side of the road is empty
- When the vehicle ahead is driving slowly on a narrow road
Show answer
Answer: B. When the driver ahead is signalling to turn right
Passing on the left is allowed when the driver in front has signalled a right turn, when you have signalled to turn left, or in slow queues where the lane on your right is slower.
Question 7 of 25
How long does the RSA recommend leaving between Essential Driver Training sessions?
- Six months
- One day
- Two months
- Two weeks
Show answer
Answer: D. Two weeks
The RSA recommends about two weeks between sessions, so you have time to practise what you learned.
Question 8 of 25
When is it allowed to pass other traffic on the left on a motorway?
- Whenever the right-hand lane is busy with traffic
- In slow queues, when the lane on your right is slower
- Whenever you are in a hurry and the left lane is clear
- Only at night, when there is less traffic
Show answer
Answer: B. In slow queues, when the lane on your right is slower
You must overtake on the right. The one exception is in slow-moving queues where the lane on your right is moving more slowly than yours.
Question 9 of 25
Your learner permit has lapsed for five years or more. What must you do?
- Simply renew the permit online and carry on driving as before
- Book the driving test straight away, without any further lessons
- Start again: new theory test, first learner permit and full EDT
- Only send a new eyesight report with a renewal form to the NDLS
Show answer
Answer: C. Start again: new theory test, first learner permit and full EDT
After a lapse of five years or more you start again: new theory test, first learner permit and all EDT sessions.
Question 10 of 25
You come up behind a horse and rider on a narrow road. What should you do?
- Sound your horn so the rider moves over
- Rev your engine so the horse knows you are there
- Pass quickly to spend less time beside them
- Slow down, give them room and pass slowly
Show answer
Answer: D. Slow down, give them room and pass slowly
Horses can be frightened by noise and speed. Pass slowly and wide, and be ready to stop.
Question 11 of 25
How often must a car aged between four and ten years be tested in the NCT?
- Every five years
- Every three years
- Every year
- Every two years
Show answer
Answer: D. Every two years
After the first test, cars are tested every two years until their tenth anniversary.
Question 12 of 25
What is Essential Driver Training (EDT)?
- 12 one-hour lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor
- A six-hour online course you can take at home
- A single lesson with an instructor just before the test
- A classroom theory course run by the NDLS
Show answer
Answer: A. 12 one-hour lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor
EDT is a course of 12 one-hour sessions with an ADI that car learners must complete.
Question 13 of 25
After a breakdown on a motorway, where should you wait for help?
- In the car with seat belts off
- Well behind the crash barrier
- On the hard shoulder beside the car
- In lane 1, to warn traffic
Show answer
Answer: B. Well behind the crash barrier
Wear a high-visibility vest and wait well behind the crash barrier. Do not walk on the motorway.
Question 14 of 25
What do you receive when you pass your driving test?
- A Certificate of Competency to apply for your licence
- A full driving licence, handed to you by the tester at the end
- A set of N plates and a temporary licence from the tester
- A new learner permit that lets you drive alone
Show answer
Answer: A. A Certificate of Competency to apply for your licence
Passing gives you a Certificate of Competency. You use it to apply to the NDLS for your full driving licence.
Question 15 of 25
According to the RSA, about how many pedestrians in 10 are killed when hit by a vehicle at 60 km/h?
- 9 in 10
- 5 in 10
- 3 in 10
- 1 in 10
Show answer
Answer: B. 5 in 10
About 5 in 10 pedestrians are killed at 60 km/h, compared with about 3 in 10 at 50 km/h and 9 in 10 at 80 km/h.
Question 16 of 25
How often must a car be tested in the NCT after its tenth anniversary?
- Never again
- Every three years
- Every two years
- Every year
Show answer
Answer: D. Every year
Cars more than ten years old must be tested every year.
Question 17 of 25
Your friend passed the car driving test one year ago. Can they accompany you while you drive on your learner permit?
- Yes, but only in daylight
- Yes, on roads with a limit of 60 km/h or less
- No, novice drivers cannot accompany a learner
- Yes, if they display N plates
Show answer
Answer: C. No, novice drivers cannot accompany a learner
A novice has not held a full licence for two years, so they cannot act as the accompanying driver for a car learner.
Question 18 of 25
How long is a Driver Theory Test pass certificate valid?
- Ten years from the test date
- Five years from the test date
- One year from the test date
- Two years from the test date
Show answer
Answer: D. Two years from the test date
The certificate lasts two years. If you do not apply for your first learner permit within that time, you must sit and pay for the test again.
Question 19 of 25
Is it legal to hold a mobile phone while driving?
- Yes, for short calls
- No, it is an offence
- Yes, if you drive slowly
- Yes, when stopped at traffic lights
Show answer
Answer: B. No, it is an offence
You must not use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Texting while driving is a separate, more serious offence.
Question 20 of 25
When you enter a roundabout in Ireland, which way must you turn?
- Right, so you travel anticlockwise
- Left, so you travel clockwise around it
- Whichever way is shorter
- Straight across the centre island
Show answer
Answer: B. Left, so you travel clockwise around it
By law, when entering a roundabout a driver must turn to the left, so traffic goes clockwise.
Question 21 of 25
You are turning right at a junction. Who must you give way to?
- Nobody, because turning right gives you priority
- Oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians
- Only buses and taxis coming towards you
- Only traffic that is behind you in your lane
Show answer
Answer: B. Oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians
When turning right you must wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic and let pedestrians finish crossing.
Question 22 of 25
Which tyres must never be mixed on the same axle?
- Tyres with the same tread pattern
- Tyres bought from different shops
- Radial and cross-ply tyres
- Two tyres of the same size and type
Show answer
Answer: C. Radial and cross-ply tyres
Do not mix radial and cross-ply tyres on an axle. Tyres on each axle must match.
Question 23 of 25
A safety camera catches a car speeding. Who is sent the fixed charge notice?
- Nobody, because camera offences carry no penalty
- The insurance company that covers the car
- The nearest Garda station to the camera
- The registered owner of the car
Show answer
Answer: D. The registered owner of the car
The notice goes to the registered owner, who is treated as the driver unless they name the person who was driving.
Question 24 of 25
Your car breaks down on a motorway. Which doors should you and your passengers use to get out?
- Whichever doors are nearest the traffic
- The left-hand doors, away from the traffic
- The boot
- The right-hand doors
Show answer
Answer: B. The left-hand doors, away from the traffic
Leave by the left-hand door, away from passing traffic, and keep passengers and animals away from the road.
Question 25 of 25
Which drivers must keep to the lower 20 mg alcohol limit?
- Only drivers over 70 years of age
- Learner, novice and professional drivers
- Only drivers of large electric or hybrid cars
- Only motorcyclists and moped riders
Show answer
Answer: B. Learner, novice and professional drivers
The lower limit applies to learners, drivers in their first two years, professional drivers (such as bus, truck and taxi drivers) and unlicensed drivers.

Related tests