Laverty showed promise from the outset, finishing runner-up in the 2004 British 125cc Championship. He moved into British Supersport in 2005 as a rookie, placing ninth overall, before improving to third in 2006 aboard a Red Bull Honda CBR600RR — taking four wins but finishing behind Cal Crutchlow and Tom Sykes in the standings.
Laverty stepped up to the 250cc Grand Prix World Championship in 2007 with LCR Honda, finishing 25th overall with a best result of 14th. For 2008 he was signed by Blusens Aprilia to continue in the class on privateer machinery, scoring points in China and Portugal before crashing at Le Mans as the circuit dried. A concurrent appearance in World Supersport — as a replacement for injured Fabien Foret at the Yamaha factory team — proved more fruitful, earning him a podium finish despite riding hurt.
Laverty joined the Parkalgar Honda team for a full 2009 World Supersport campaign and made an immediate impact. On 14 March 2009, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, he claimed his first World Supersport victory, narrowly beating Andrew Pitt. He went on to take three further wins and four second places, ending the season as championship runner-up behind Cal Crutchlow. He also broke Ten Kate Racing's status as the leading Honda outfit. In 2010 he again finished as series runner-up, demonstrating consistent front-running pace across two seasons.
Laverty moved to the Superbike World Championship in 2011 with the factory Yamaha team alongside Marco Melandri. On 8 May 2011 at Monza he won his first World Superbike race; later that afternoon he completed the double by winning race two. For 2012 he joined the Aprilia Racing Team on an RSV4, partnering Max Biaggi and finishing sixth in the championship. He continued with Aprilia into 2013 alongside Sylvain Guintoli.
In 2017 and 2018 Laverty returned to World Superbikes with Aprilia under the Shaun Muir Racing banner, before losing his seat to Tom Sykes. For 2019 he rode for the Go Eleven Ducati team.
For the 2015 MotoGP season, Laverty joined the Aspar Team on a Honda RC213V-RS open-class motorcycle, finishing 22nd in the riders' championship with a best result of 12th at Catalunya. He remained with Aspar in 2016, now on a Ducati Desmosedici GP14.2, and recorded his career-best MotoGP result of fourth place in Argentina.
In 2021 Laverty made several appearances for the RC Squadra Corse BMW team and also substituted for injured Chaz Davies. For 2022 he signed with the Bonovo BMW team alongside Loris Baz. Midway through the season, citing poor results, he announced his retirement from racing at season's end, choosing to remain with the team in a co-owner and coaching capacity.
Eugene Laverty's career traced an unusual arc across multiple disciplines and manufacturers. His consecutive World Supersport runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2010, combined with his Monza double win in WorldSBK, established him as one of the most versatile British Isles motorcycle racers of his generation. His transition into team co-ownership ensured his presence in the paddock beyond his riding days.