The SPSV Driver Entry Test is the NTA exam every new taxi, hackney and limousine driver in Ireland must pass before applying for a driver licence. It is a computer test at a test centre, marked instantly. Here is exactly how it works, taken from Chapter 11 of the Official Manual, Edition 8.0.
Format
| Part | Questions | Time | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial | none | 28 min | n/a |
| Industry Knowledge | 54 | 54 min | 75% (41 correct) |
| Area Knowledge (your county) | 36 | 36 min | 75% (27 correct) |
Questions are multiple choice with four options. Most have one correct answer; some ask you to pick two. You use a mouse or touch screen. Within a module you can change or cancel answers and skip questions; skipped ones are highlighted at the end so you can go back. Once you finish a module it is locked.
The timer is always on screen and the module ends automatically when time runs out. One minute per question sounds tight, but most Industry questions take 20 to 30 seconds if you know the Manual. Our mock exam uses the same clock and the same skip-and-return behaviour.
What the Industry module covers
Only the Official Manual. Section 11.2 says so directly: “This Manual is the only material you need to study for this module.” Expect questions from every chapter: vehicle categories and who regulates what, the driver licence process, choosing and licensing a vehicle, wheelchair accessible vehicles, the taximeter and the national maximum fare, receipts, the Regulations and fixed penalties, customer service, dealing with passengers with disabilities, and safe driving. Chapter 11 itself prints sample questions; the style is direct and factual, for example how many days you have to report a change of address or what colour the licence disc is.
What the Area module covers
Knowledge of the county you want to operate in. The Manual lists the categories: main street names in urban centres, motorways, districts, routes to other towns, well-known hotels, bars and restaurants, tourist landmarks, hospitals, transport hubs, sports venues, entertainment venues, universities and shopping centres. The sample questions ask things like which road a hotel is on, which streets a one-way street runs between, and which towns you pass through between two places. The module was reformed in October 2025; details in our Area Knowledge guide.
Licensed drivers who want to work in a second county sit only the Area module for that county.
Booking
Call 0818 064 000. Have ready: your contact details, PPS number, your full driving licence (Irish, EU/EEA or recognised country) and the fee, payable by card, cheque or postal order. You choose from five test centres nationally and pick a slot. Confirmation arrives by email or letter with the date, time and location, plus a reminder of the documents to bring.
Tell them at booking if you need extra support. With an official education or medical document you can get extra time or a reader.
On the day
- Bring your driving licence and proof of identity. Both are checked on arrival.
- Personal items, including your phone, are locked away.
- An invigilator watches the room and it is recorded on CCTV. Talking to other candidates, notes or a phone mean disqualification and a ban from future tests for a period.
- Results are automatic and immediate.
Results
Pass both modules and you get the SPSV Skills Development Certificate at the test centre the same day. That certificate, plus the 250 euro licence fee receipt, goes into your Garda application. Fail both and you get a report explaining how to rebook. Pass one and fail one and you rebook only the failed module. Both must be passed within one year of the first sitting or the whole test is repeated.
How hard is it?
NTA figures put the average at close to three attempts per successful candidate. The Industry module trips people up because the Manual is long and the questions are specific: fee amounts, day counts, which authority does what. The Area module trips up drivers who know the city by driving it but not by name. Both are fixable with practice. Aim for 85% or better on three consecutive mocks before you book.