You’ll often hear Irish motorists joke, ‘I failed my driving test and then drove home.’ This is because drivers here can continue to drive on their provisional licences for a long time, as long as they sit their tests. Also, there is a backlog of motorists who want to take their tests, and some have to wait months to be given a date. Motorists can begin driving when they are 17 years old and must carry their licence with them at all times.