Irish Professional Driver Championships 2025 set for Naas Racecourse
Ireland’s top professional drivers will put their skills and expertise to the test at the Irish Professional Driver Championships 2025, taking place on Saturday, 27th September at Naas Racecourse, Co. Kildare.
Now in its third year, the championships will see Ireland’s finest go head-to-head not only with each other but also with an elite team of 21 Finnish professional drivers – including three world champions.
The competition’s reputation has spread across the globe, with participants now confirmed from the USA and Brazil, promising a truly international showcase of driving mastery.
This event will test every aspect of a professional driver’s craft. Contestants will first face a rigorous theory challenge, covering vehicle performance, road craft, and safety knowledge. They’ll then take to the driver’s seat to tackle 10 real-world challenges, from negotiating low bridges and tight entrances to parallel parking on the blind side and executing safe, precise overtakes of vulnerable road users.
To ensure absolute fairness, all competitors will use the same vehicles across five demanding categories: Delivery Van, Coach, Rigid Truck, Rigid Truck with Drawbar Trailer, and Articulated Truck with Trailer. The search for future talent is also on, with a Young Driver of the Year award up for grabs.
Beyond the competition, visitors can enjoy a range of activities and insights. The RSA Shuttle will be onsite with cutting-edge simulators offering an immersive look at the risks of fatigue. A series of expert presentations will cover key topics for professional drivers and road transport stakeholders, including the Driver Wellbeing Pledge, an EU-wide initiative supporting driver health, and the EPDA Professional Driver Register.
With Naas Racecourse providing excellent restaurant, café, and parking facilities, spectators are warmly invited to experience the excitement first-hand – and even test their own skills in certain challenges. While most competition slots are already filled, a limited number of places remain.
The winners of the Irish Championships will earn the honour of representing Ireland at the World Professional Driver Championships in 2026.
Irish National Professional Driver Championship (NPDC) 2025
What is the NPDC?
The Irish National Professional Driver Championship (NPDC) is Ireland’s premier competition for professional drivers — bringing together van drivers, coach & bus drivers, and HGV drivers from across the country to compete, network, and showcase their skills.
Whether you drive a van for deliveries, operate a coach or bus on rural routes, or manage a 44-ton artic — this championship is for you.
Why Take Part?
– Show off your skills in vehicle control, reversing, obstacle navigation, and eco-driving;
– Win prizes and gain recognition as Ireland’s top driver;
– Meet other professionals and celebrate our vital industry;
– Qualify for international competitions such as the UICR Professional Driver World Championship 2026 in Germany
Who Can Enter?
If you’re a licensed professional driver in Ireland and currently operating one of the following vehicle types, you’re eligible to take part in NPDC 2025 — and you’re very welcome.
Vehicle Categories
Category A: Solo truck > 7.5t (Driving Licence: C)
Category B: Bus / Coach (Driving Licence: D)
Category C: Tractor-trailer /Semi trailer (Driving Licence: CE)
Category D: Drawbar trailer (Driving Licence: CE)
Category E: Young Driver (up to 21 years), Solo truck > 7.5t (Driving Licence: C1)
Category F: Delivery vehicle > 3.5t (Driving Licence: B)
Drivers from all sectors — haulage, coach & bus, local delivery, municipal services — are encouraged to join for a great weekend of competition, learning, and community.
Register Your Interest HERE.