Killester Test Centre
St. Brigid’s Parish Resource Centre, 306 Howth Road, Killester, DO5 FF96
Killester test centre
Killester test centre operates from St. Brigid's Parish Resource Centre on the Howth Road. It covers the inner northside from East Wall and Fairview through to Beaumont and Santry.
On test day at Killester
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Arrive early with documents
Bring your learner permit, theory test certificate, appointment confirmation, and your motor insurance certificate. From March 2026, proof of insurance for the test vehicle is mandatory.
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Rules of the Road questions
The examiner asks you questions on the Rules of the Road before you go outside.
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Technical checks on your vehicle
You demonstrate checks on tyres, lights, reflectors, indicators, oil, coolant, steering, windscreen washer fluid, and brakes. You may need to open the bonnet.
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The drive (about 40 minutes)
A route around Killester covering left and right turns, roundabouts, traffic lights, and two manoeuvres from: reverse around a corner, turnabout, or hill start.
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Results
Pass and you get a Certificate of Competency (valid 2 years) to apply for your full licence. Fail and you get a detailed fault breakdown. You can reapply after 10 weeks.
Reviews from learners who tested at Killester
Real reviews from our learners. Every review links to Google Maps so you can verify it yourself.
I failed my driving test first time I did it with a different driving school. At that time I didn't feel the full support from my instructor and felt scared of making mistakes, resulting in me failing the test. Additionally, it was very expensive... totally not worth the...
calvin maghuyop
PASSED
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We used Andy previously for our son Matthew and knew he was the perfect fit for our daughter Zoe. Andy is very patient, calm and always giving clear guidance. He built her confidence lesson by lesson and focused on areas that needed attention. Booking was easy and received...
I had Andy as an instructor and I would really recommend going to him. He is really patient and makes you feel comfortable driving from the first lesson. I booked my test and passed first time with only 20 mins of a pre test done and all my lessons with him. He is a great...
I had two pre test lessons with Richard, and I feel they helped so much before the test. He was able to see my faults explain them to me fully and correct them. I would highly highly recommend Richard to anyone looking to pass their test first try as I did
Roads you will drive at Killester
Routes go along the Howth Road, through Clontarf, and into the residential streets around Killester and Donnycarney. Some routes head towards Beaumont or Fairview. Lots of residential driving with on-street parking challenges.
Approximate route based on known test roads. Actual routes vary by tester.
Key roads on Killester test routes
Junctions to know
Howth Road / Killester Avenue junction, traffic lights with heavy bus traffic
Clontarf Road / Vernon Avenue, busy junction near the seafront
Collins Avenue / Malahide Road, multi-lane junction with complex signal phases
Tricky spots at Killester
Inner northside Dublin with a mix of mature residential streets and busy arterial roads. The Howth Road and Clontarf Road carry heavy traffic. Side streets are narrow with lots of on-street parking. Cycle lanes and bus lanes are a feature of the main roads.
Howth Road bus corridor
Bus lanes, bus stops, and cyclists. Learners get confused about when they can use the bus lane for left turns.
Clontarf seafront road
Wide road that encourages speed. Keep to the limit. Cyclists use this road heavily.
Killester residential streets
On-street parking narrows roads to single lane. Priority decisions are constant.
Furry Park Road
Speed ramps and parked cars. Need to maintain progress without rushing.
Tips for passing at Killester
- The centre is directly on the Howth Road. Parking is limited, so arrive in your lesson car and have your instructor park nearby.
- Practice the Howth Road in both directions. You will almost certainly drive a section of it.
- Clontarf Road sections test speed awareness. The limit drops in places and there are speed cameras.
- Know your bus lane rules. The Howth Road has bus lanes that change hours.
- Residential areas around Killester have lots of one-way streets. Learn them in advance.
What you need to know
New insurance rule (March 2026)
From 9 March 2026, you must show a valid motor insurance certificate for the vehicle you are using for the test. If your name is not on the certificate, bring an email or letter from your insurer confirming you are covered. No certificate, no test.
Test fee
The driving test costs €85 for cars, motorcycles, and work vehicles. Apply online at MyRoadSafety on rsa.ie. You need a debit or credit card and a valid email.
Before you can sit the test
- Complete all 12 EDT lessons with an RSA Approved Driving Instructor
- Hold your learner permit for at least 6 months
- Have a vehicle with valid tax, insurance, NCT (if applicable), L plates, and an extra rear-view mirror for the examiner
Skills tested during the drive
You will be assessed on:
Technical checks
At your vehicle, the examiner will ask you to demonstrate checks on: tyres, lights, reflectors, indicators, oil level, coolant, steering, windscreen washer fluid, and brakes. You may need to open the bonnet and close it securely.
Cancellation
Give at least 10 days notice to cancel and get a refund of your €85 fee. Cancel online through rsa.ie.
Pretest lessons for Killester
Practice the actual test routes before your driving test. Our instructors know every road the examiners use at Killester.
4.7 stars from 814+ reviews
Just starting out?
Not ready for the test yet? Our 12-lesson EDT package covers everything from scratch. Manual lessons from €49/lesson, automatic from €54.94/lesson.
View EDT lesson packagesPretest lessons near Killester
We teach learners across all these areas and prepare them specifically for the Killester test routes.
Taking your test at Killester?
Book a pretest lesson on the actual routes. Know the roads before test day.
Or call (01) 902 3100