Since March 2026, Ireland's Road Safety Authority requires every driving test candidate to show a valid motor insurance certificate proving they're insured to drive the test vehicle. The result? Over 1,200 tests were cancelled in a single month because candidates couldn't produce the document.
The new insurance rule
From 9 March 2026:
You must bring a valid motor insurance certificate to your driving test that shows you are named as a driver on the policy for the vehicle you're using. No certificate = no test = lost fee.
Why 1,200 tests failed
According to RTÉ, the cancellations happened for several common reasons:
- Named driver issue: The candidate was covered under a parent's or instructor's "any driver" policy but didn't have a certificate naming them specifically
- Expired certificates: Insurance was valid but the physical certificate had expired
- Wrong vehicle: The certificate covered a different car than the one brought to the test
- No certificate at all: Some candidates assumed insurance wasn't needed for the test
How to avoid losing your test
✅ Check your cert
Contact your insurer at least 2 weeks before your test. Ask for a certificate that names you as a driver on the specific vehicle.
✅ Match the reg
The vehicle registration on the certificate must match the car you bring. If you change vehicles, update the cert.
✅ Bring the original
A photo on your phone may not be accepted. Bring the physical certificate or an official digital copy from your insurer.
Other RSA changes in 2026
- November 2026: All test candidates must be at least 15 years old on the date of their appointment
- Dublin test centre: The Dublin City centre relocated to new premises on 26 May 2026
- The RSA is running drink-driving awareness campaigns at major summer events including the RDS Dublin Horse Show (5–9 August)
Sources: RTÉ · RSA · Irish Driving Test Routes