How to Pass Your irish Motorbike Test in Ireland (Top Tips That Actually Work)

If you’re preparing for your motorbike test in Ireland, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The good news? Passing the test isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being safe, visible, and prepared.

In this guide, I’ll share real-world tips based on my own experience, including mistakes that will fail you and small details examiners actively look for. These are the same tips I share on the Ride Roam Review YouTube channel, now written up so you can refer back to them anytime. Most of these tips were passed on by my Instructor Tony Agnew of https://irishmotorcycletraining.com/ Amazing instruction, solid guidance and highly recommended!

👉 Watch the full video version here 

1. Book a Pre-Test With Your IBT Instructor

One of the most important steps to passing the Irish motorbike driving test is booking a pre-test (pre-EST) with your IBT instructor.

After months riding on a learner permit, bad habits creep in without you realising. A pre-test helps identify and fix these early.

When I did mine, I was stopped within two minutes and told I would have failed if that had been the real test.

Why this matters for your test:

• Examiners mark habits, not intentions

• Instructors know exactly what testers look for

• It boosts confidence massively

💰 Cost: €180–€200✅ Worth every cent

2. Revise Your Road Signs (You’ll Be Tested Before You Ride)

Before you even get on the bike, the examiner will ask you to identify 8–10 road signs.

This catches a lot of people out.

To prepare:

• Revise your motorbike theory test

• Use mock test apps until you consistently score full marks

• Focus heavily on Irish road signs and priority rules
  

📌 Tip: Treat this like part of the test — because it is.

3. Check Your Bike’s Power Rating on the Registration Certificate

Recent rule changes in Ireland mean your bike’s power output or restriction must be listed on the registration certificate.

If it’s missing:❌ You cannot sit the test✅ Test cancelled on the day

Check this weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.

4. Prepare All Documents & Equipment in Advance

Arriving unprepared adds unnecessary stress. Make sure you have:

• Driving licence

• IBT certificate

• Learner vest

• Wired earpiece (3.5mm jack)
  

Bluetooth systems won’t work — the examiner provides a phone, and you’ll need a wired earpiece to hear instructions.

5. Moving the Bike: Don’t Wave Other Road Users Through

At the start of the test, you’ll be asked to:

• Take the bike off the stand

• Walk it forward around 5 meters

🚫 Do not wave cars or pedestrians through✅ Let others decide what they’re doing

Even polite gestures can be marked as poor control or unsafe decision-making.

6. Make Mirror Checks Clearly Visible

If you wear a dark or black helmet, the examiner may struggle to see your head movements.

Simple fix: Add a bright sticker or logo to the back of your helmet.

This makes mirror checks and observations obvious — and if the examiner can’t see it, they can’t mark it.

7. Leave Proper Stopping Distances

Stopping too close to the car in front is a common fail.

Always leave:

• At least one full bike length

• More on hills or busy junctions
  

Cars can roll back, lose brakes, or move unexpectedly — examiners take this seriously.

8. Talk Yourself Through the Ride

This technique helped me massively.

As you ride, mentally narrate:

• Mirror

• Signal

• Lifesaver

• Position

• Manoeuvre
  

It keeps you calm, focused, and prevents rushing — especially under pressure.

You don’t need to speak out loud, just keep the routine running in your head.

9. Use Full Shoulder Checks for Manoeuvres

For manoeuvres like:

• U-turns

• Obstacle avoidance

• Controlled starts
  

You need a full, deliberate shoulder check before moving off — almost a full turn.

This is different from a quick lifesaver while riding. Make it slow, clear, and obvious.

Final Advice for Passing the Irish Motorbike Test

Passing your motorbike test in Ireland comes down to three things:

• Preparation

• Visibility

• Control
  

Slow everything down, exaggerate your observations, and remember — the examiner can only mark what they see.

Good luck with your test, ride safe, and if this helped you, check out more on Ride Roam Review.