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Driving, Training & Recruitment Since 1961

For over 65 years, Irish School of Motoring – ISM – has provided driving education and training to individuals and businesses across Ireland. Today, we provide driving lessons across all licence categories, alongside professional driver, Transport & Logistics and Industrial & Warehouse training for individuals and companies. Our Recruitment division supports employers and jobseekers across Transport & Logistics, Industrial & Warehouse and Healthcare. For employers, we bring these services together as Your One Partner for Training & Recruitment – helping businesses find the people they need and develop the skills their teams need.

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Driving Lessons for All Drivers

Known as the Leaders in Driver Education Since 1961, Irish School of Motoring – ISM provides driving lessons across all major licence categories for private and professional drivers, from first-time learners to experienced drivers looking to upskill. Our network of over 200 Approved Driving Instructors provides driving lessons seven days a week, with instructors located throughout Ireland.

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Each year, more than 30,000 learner drivers learn to drive with ISM. We also provide professional driver training to organisations of all sizes, from government agencies and multinational companies to large and small Irish businesses. Our experienced instructors deliver practical, industry-focused training for professional drivers and company fleets, helping businesses develop driver skills, improve standards and meet their training requirements.

Our network of over 200 qualified driving instructors, and private and public professional driver training contracts are overseen by our General Manager, Steve Murray. Business customers can contact Steve directly at: stevemurray@ism.ie

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ISM Training Services

ISM Training Services supports individuals and businesses with industry training, qualifications, certification and upskilling. We specialise in Transport & Logistics, Industrial & Warehouse, Working at Height, and Health & Safety training, including Driving for Work, Forklift Training, CPC, ADR and Safe Pass. Our purpose-built training centres deliver Operator, Instructor and Supervisor courses, helping individuals develop their skills and businesses keep their teams trained, compliant and ready for work.

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Our courses are delivered by experienced Instructors and Trainers with practical expertise in their industries. We work with individuals developing new skills and qualifications, as well as businesses with ongoing training requirements. From one-off courses to long-term company training programmes, ISM provides practical, industry-relevant training designed around the skills people need to work safely, confidently and effectively. Our comprehensive training portfolio and the development and nurturing of long-term client training relationships is managed by General Manager Steve Murray. Business customers can contact Steve directly at: stevemurray@ism.ie

Go to ISM Training

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ISM Recruitment Services

ISM Recruitment provides permanent, contract and temporary recruitment across Transport & Logistics, Industrial & Warehouse and Healthcare. We connect jobseekers with the right opportunities and help employers find screened, work-ready people. From Rigid and Artic Drivers, Transport Managers and Transport Planners to Warehouse Operatives, Forklift Operators and Healthcare Assistants, our Recruitment Consultants understand the roles, skills and experience our industries require.

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ISM Recruitment works with employers across Ireland to solve staffing and skills requirements together. Our strength is the connection between Recruitment and Training – we can source the people your business needs and provide the training and upskilling your new or existing team may require. It’s why we say ISM is Your One Partner for Training & Recruitment. Contact: leehazzard@ism.ie

Go to ISM Recruitment

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The People Behind the Wheel

The first person to pass the driving test in Ireland was taught by our Director and Founder, John Walsh in 1961. Today, Irish School of Motoring is a second-generation Irish family-owned business, and our team of driver education experts, trainers and recruitment consultants is headed by our Managing Director, Karl Walsh.

Our philosophy has been to build ISM Training & Recruitment as a natural extension of driver education, creating a complementary set of services that work seamlessly together. By integrating training and recruitment, we deliver a complete, end-to-end solution for individuals and employers alike. 

We are proud of the fact that the majority of Ireland’s driving instructors have been trained by ISM! Karl’s interests continues to include driver education, specifically driving instructor training. 

See our photo archives as we take a drive down memory late.

Karl’s philosophy has been to create services and to build a team that complement each other. Karl’s interests continues to include driver education, specifically driving instructor training. We are proud of the fact that the majority of Ireland’s driving instructors have been trained by ISM! Both ISM Training and ISM Recruitment were developed to be responsive to the training and staffing needs of companies and employers, not to mention jobseekers and employees. For many of our individual customers, the natural pathway is to learn, become qualified and gain fulfilling employment. See our photo archives as we take a drive down memory late.

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Testimonials

What our customers are saying

raymond gogan profile picture
raymond gogan
2 weeks ago
2 years ago I took a suite of lessons for my C licence. All lessons were with Pat Blake. I recently returned to you for an additional suite of lessons for my CE licence which I obtained last month. Again all lessons were with Pat (bar the final one with Dave O Carroll as Pat was away).

I would like to take the opportunity to thank ISM for providing such professional instruction, instruction which allowed me to achieve my goals. Pat Blake peovided expert instruction which was always clear and calm. During my lessons i always felt i was under compitent and safe guidance. Lessons were structured and identified my driving strengths and weaknesses and where focus and repitetion was required.
I would like to add my final lesson with Dave O Carroll was of equally high standard.

Finally the vehicles provided by ISM for lessons and tests were without doubt top class.

Thank you ISM, Pat and Dave.
Niamh profile picture
Niamh
4 weeks ago
I would highly recommend Ioan Padureanu as a driving instructor! I started my lessons with Ioan in April 2026 and have now successfully passed my driving test in October 2026.

Ioan was an excellent instructor throughout my journey. He was always calm, patient and professional, which really helped me feel relaxed and confident behind the wheel. He gave great tips, advice and guidance, and always made sure I understood what I needed to improve on.

I’m so grateful for all his support and encouragement, which helped me build my confidence and achieve my goal of passing my test. If you’re looking for a driving instructor who is professional, knowledgeable and makes you feel at ease, I would definitely recommend Ioan. Thank you for everything!
I took manual driving lessons with David Mackie and would highly recommend him! I had very little driving experience before, but in just 12 lessons, he taught me everything I needed to know. We practised in Finglas and Killester, but I took my test in Tallaght and passed successfully!

A big thank you to David for teaching me not only how to pass the test, but also how to drive confidently and safely on any road. If you know what you’re doing, you’ll pass your test! Highly recommended!

Get €400 off your car insurance when you buy 12 lessons – plus 20% off with AXA Test Drive.

Get €400 off your car insurance when you buy 12 lessons – plus 20% off with AXA Test Drive.

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