Who sits the AM paper
Ireland runs one motorcycle theory test, the AM paper, and it covers every two-wheel category: A, A1, A2, AM. Whether you are applying for a first moped permit or moving up to a larger machine, it is the same exam.
It is a different exam from the car paper. Both are 40 questions in 45 minutes with 35 to pass, which is why the two are often confused, but they are sat under separate categories and your certificate names the one you passed.
Category A1
A1 covers light motorcycles. You can sit the theory test from 14, but the permit itself is not issued until you are 16. Because a theory test certificate expires after two years, a test sat at 14 will often need retaking before it can be used.
Category A2
A2 is the mid-weight step. No separate theory test is needed: the AM certificate you already hold covers it, provided it is still within its two-year validity when you apply.
Category A
Full category A is the unrestricted licence. Again, the same AM theory certificate applies, so the theory stage is something you clear once rather than repeat at each step up.
What to expect in the questions
The material is grouped into five areas: control of the vehicle, legal matters and rules of the road, managing risk, safe and responsible driving, and technical matters. Rules of the road and risk management make up the bulk of it.
A note on our question bank, so you know what you are practising with: our questions are labelled Car and Bike, which is how the source material groups them. They cover the shared road-rules material both papers draw on rather than being a reproduction of the official AM paper. For the format and booking, always check theorytest.ie.
Before you book
Read the motorcycle guide for the licensing path around the test, the booking guide for how to reserve a slot, and what to bring on the day. You will not be allowed to sit the test without acceptable photo ID.
Common questions
How many questions are in the motorcycle theory test?
The AM paper is 40 questions in 45 minutes, and you need 35 correct to pass. That is the same format as the car paper, but it is a separate exam sat under its own category.
Do A1 and A2 sit the same theory test?
Yes. One AM paper covers category A, A1, A2 and AM, so a 16-year-old going for an A1 moped permit and a rider moving up to A2 sit the same theory test.
Can I sit the motorcycle theory test before I turn 16?
You can sit the AM theory test from age 14, but you must be 16 to be issued a learner permit for a moped or A1. Note that a theory test certificate is valid for two years, so sitting it very early can mean retaking it.
Is the motorcycle theory test harder than the car one?
It is the same length and the same pass mark. The difference is emphasis rather than difficulty: more of the material deals with rider visibility, road position and surface hazards, which matter more on two wheels.