So the big day has arrived. You’re going to sit your driving test! Here I’ll outline what you can expect and give some useful tips.
PREPARATION is the key to passing your driving test. I cannot stress how important it is to practice your skills and study the Rules of The Road in the weeks and months leading up to your test. The vast majority of people who fail their driving test do so because they haven’t put in enough practice prior to it. It’s like any other test you sit, to pass your Leaving Cert you have to study and the driving test is no different!
I’d estimate that most pupils who come to me having already gained driving experience previously and/or failed a test before take on average 7 hours instruction. This figure does vary depending on individual ability and how easily they find it to shake their bad habits. The few pupils who fail with us may only do 2 or 3 hours preparation.
My advice would always be to get as many lessons as you can afford with a reputable Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). Some people think that they’ll save a few € by cutting back on their lessons. This is often a false economy as they fail their test, cost themselves another €85 test fee and the cost of further lessons.
Remember: FAIL TO PREPARE, PREPARE TO FAIL!
How to Apply
The cost is €85
It may be possible to pick your own date/time for your driving test. If you chose not to you will be added to the waiting list for the test centre you wish to sit your test at. Waiting times are normally around 8 – 10 weeks.
My advice is, if you are not taking lessons when you apply, to start them as soon as you can. This will give an ADI the chance to identify the areas of your driving that need attention and, more importantly, allow you to practice the skills shown to you.
You need to have held a learner permit for at least 6 months and if you got your FIRST learner permit on or after 4th April 2011 have completed the 12 lessons that form The Essential Driver Training (EDT) Programme and have had your 12 lessons uploaded into the RSA’s system by your ADI.
On The Day
I’d always recommend that a pupil takes a lesson the hour before their test. Doing so gets you “in the zone” mentally ready for the test. Everything should be fresh in your mind and it gives your ADI the chance to give some final words of advice and encouragement.
At the end of this lesson you should aim to be back in the test centre roughly 15 minutes before your test time.
Don’t forget your Learner Permit or Logbook where required. Bringing The Logbook isn’t strictly necessary but I’d always advise it just in case!
Once you are seated in the waiting room you’ll be called, by name, by your tester.
When you are sat at the tester’s desk you will be asked to:
- Show them your Learner Permit. Out of courtesy, if it’s the old type, remove it from the plastic wallet and open it up for them and hand it to them with your photograph facing them.
- Sign a form to confirm that you are insured for the car you are using on the test.
- Answer a number of questions on the Rules of the Road and identify some road signs.
From here you will leave the test offices and go out to your car. The tester will then usually ask you to:
- Open your bonnet and identify 3 items of their choosing and answer any questions they may ask. (Sometimes, usually if it’s raining, they may ask you about tyres and how to check them instead of the under the bonnet checks).
- Sit in your car, turn on your ignition and operate your signals and press your footbrake. If any bulbs are not working your test will not go ahead and you will lose your fee.
The tester will check your Road Tax, Insurance Disc and NCT Disc. These all must be in date. If they aren’t, your driving test will not proceed and again, you will lose your fee.
The tester will sit in the car beside you and ask you to operate or identify some of the controls of the car such as the wipers, lights, heating controls etc
The Drive
The drive will last approximately 30 mins. You’ll drive in a variety of road conditions for between 8 and 13 kilometres.
The tester will give you instructions/directions in plenty of time. If you don’t hear or don’t understand these instructions ask the tester to repeat them for you.
Your driving will be assessed in the following situations:
- Moving off
- Driving in traffic
- Stopping Reversing around a corner
- Turning about, to face in the opposite direction
- Starting on a hill
Aspects of your driving assessed will include:
- Road positioning
- Overtaking and passing
- Anticipation and observation
- Use of mirrors and signals
- Progress Speed
- Compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings
- Use of the vehicle controls (accelerator, clutch, gears, brakes and steering)
- Use of secondary controls such as wipers, de-misters, etc
When you return to the test centre park safely and when you are asked to turn off your engine the test is over.
iDrive’s ADI’s can help you prepare for your driving test. We instruct in Meath covering the Navan Test Routes, Louth covering the Dundalk Test Routes, Dublin covering the Finglas Test Routes, Tallaght Test Routes and Rathgar Routes and in Kildare covering the Naas Test Routes.
To book lessons or for further info text/call Andy on 087 0663947 or email
[email protected]
