The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulation 1999 (as amended)

As we understand the situation, you need a full motorcycle licence in order to ride a motorcycle & sidecar combination. If you don't possess a full motorcycle licence and wish to ride an outfit on L-plates, the following information should be useful.

• In order to ride a motorcycle and sidecar combination all learner motorcyclists are required to complete a CBT course before being allowed to ride with ‘L’ plates. The combination should have a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg.
• All full car licence holders, regardless of when they passed their test, are required to complete a CBT course before riding a combination with ‘L’ plates.
• A CBT certificate is valid for two years from the date of course completion.
• Learners cannot carry a pillion or side car passenger.
• In order to present for a Practical Test on a combination you would either need to be registered disabled or have a letter from your doctor that in his/her view it would be unsafe for you to ride a two wheel motorcycle.
• If you present for a Practical Test on a combination and obtain a category ‘A’ licence you will be restricted to riding combinations not exceeding 0.16Kw/kg for two years. After this qualifying period you can ride any road legal combination.

In other words you can ride an outfit on L-plates for a limited period of time but unless you are registered disabled or have a doctor's note, you cannot take your motorcycle test on one.