Guides/Theory test
Truck & Bus Theory Test in Ireland: 100 Questions, CPC and the Full Path
Updated 14 August 2026 · 5 min read
The truck (C) and bus (D) theory tests are a different league from the car test: 100 questions, two hours, and a syllabus with fixed section quotas. If you plan to drive professionally, this exam is also Step 1 of your Driver CPC. Here is the complete picture.
The format
| Test | Questions | Pass mark | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truck (C) | 100 | 74 | 120 min | €72 |
| Bus (D) | 100 | 74 | 120 min | €72 |
| Combined truck & bus (CD) | 140 | 104 | 180 min | €84 |
| Truck module (TMT)* | 40 | 30 | 45 min | €45 |
| Bus module (BMT)* | 40 | 30 | 45 min | €45 |
*Module tests are shortcuts: if you already passed the full bus theory test, you can add trucks with the 40-question TMT instead of the full C exam (and vice versa with the BMT) — provided you do it within 2 years.
The questions follow fixed section quotas
Every 100-question sitting is drawn to a fixed recipe across five official sections: control of the vehicle, legal matters and rules of the road, managing risk, safe and responsible driving, and technical matters. The "safe and responsible driving" section is by far the biggest. You cannot avoid any section — the quota guarantees it appears.
Going professional? This is CPC Step 1
- Step 1 — pass the C or D theory test (this exam) and get your learner permit.
- Step 2 — pass the CPC case study test: 3 scenarios × 15 questions, 28/45 to pass with minimum 5 per case, €72.
- Then the practical driving test and the CPC walk-around ("show and tell") test complete the professional qualification.
Note: you must hold a full category B licence to sit the truck or bus theory test, and higher-category tests cannot be taken while disqualified.
Practise the truck & bus banks
Full C and D question banks organised by official sections, mock exams with real quotas, plus CPC case studies.
Start truck practiceFrequently asked questions
+How many questions are in the truck or bus theory test?
100 questions in 120 minutes, pass mark 74. The combined truck-and-bus (CD) test has 140 questions in 180 minutes with a pass mark of 104.
+Do I need a car licence before the truck or bus theory test?
Yes — you must hold a valid full category B licence (Irish or EU/EEA/Swiss) to sit the C or D theory test.
+Is the CPC theory test different from the normal truck/bus theory test?
No — Step 1 of the CPC is the same C or D theory test. Professionals then additionally pass the CPC case study test (Step 2).
+What is the cheapest way to get both truck and bus theory?
The combined CD test (€84) covers both in one sitting. Alternatively, pass one full test (€72) and add the other within 2 years via a €45 module test.
+How much is a truck theory test?
The truck (category C) theory test costs €72. The combined truck-and-bus (CD) test costs €84, and a module test to add truck or bus to an existing pass costs €45.
+How many questions are in the truck theory test?
100 questions in 120 minutes, with a pass mark of 74. A truck module test (TMT), used to add the category if you already passed the bus test, has 40 questions with a pass mark of 30.