Extension to validity periods of learner motorcycle IBT training certs

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD has announced a further extension to certificates
for motorcycle Initial Basic Training (IBT), in order to take account of the impact of the
pandemic.

Learner motorcyclists must complete IBT before they are allowed to ride solo on public roads,
and their IBT certs must be in-date for them to continue riding and to take a driving test. During
the pandemic, test services have been closed or limited, while it has not always been possible
to retake IBT after the expiry of certificates. Learner motorcyclists therefore face the double
risk of losing their eligibility to drive on public roads and eligibility to take a test. The validity
period of these certs was extended in 2020 and has now been extended further. This should
allow people to avail of tests as the driver testing service increases its capacity.

Commenting on the extension, Minister Naughton said; “I am glad to be able to make this
extension to IBT certificates, which will help learner motorcyclists who have been caught up
in the effects of the pandemic. Last year an extension was granted, but a further extension is
now needed to help people who are still waiting to take their motorcycle driving test. As the
driver testing services is ramping up, I hope that people will now be able to get a test and
move on to be fully qualified motorcyclists. Anyone who receives the extension will not be sent
a new cert, but records will be updated to reflect the new validity period.”

The extension is being made depending on when an IBT cert was issued, with three groupings
as follows –
(a) an IBT certificate issued during the period beginning on 01 March 2018 and ending
on 30 June 2018 is valid until 01 October 2021,
(b) an IBT certificate issued during the period beginning on 01 July 2018 and ending
on 31 August 2018 is valid for a period of 3 years and 2 months from the date of issue,
and
(c) an IBT certificate issued during the period beginning on 01 September 2018 and
ending on 30 June 2019 is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue.

By way of example:
If a person received an IBT cert on 19 of March 2018 it would have expired on 19
March 2020 but will now be valid until 1 October 2021;
If a person received an IBT cert on 15 July 2018 it would have expired on 15 July 2020
but will now be valid until 15 September 2021;
If a person received an IBT cert on 10 February 2019, it would have expired on 10
February 2021 but will now be valid until 10 February 2022.
This is being done to allow a staggering of the validity periods so as not to cause a glut of
demand for tests at a single point in time.

Category: RSA Press Release