Test Tips

 

The Driving Test is one of most intensive tests you will ever sit. In most tests you will sit at a desk and have time to stop and think. On the driving test you do not have this luxury. In most tests you will have the option to change your answer or erase it. On the driving test you will not have this option. Changing your mind on the driving test could be potenially dangerous. The tips which are below are designed to help you prepare and complete a safe driving test. They will not pass your driving test for you, only you as the driver can do that.

Your Vehicle
Checking your car before the test is essential as you will be in it on your driving test. If there are any  problems with your vehicle then they need to be rectified before the driving test. If the driving tester feels the vehicle is unsafe in any way he can cancel the driving test. This means you will have to reapply and pay fee  again. This is costly and unneccessary. Simple checks can reduce the risk of there being a problem. Checking the lights, (parking, dipped, and full headlights) indicators, tail lights, brake lights to make sure they all work will take less than a minute. The lenses must also be the correct colour. If you have three brake lights on your car and only two of them work you will still be permitted to sit the driving test. If any of the other lights are not not working your test will be cancelled.

The Secondary Controls
The tester can ask you to show how to operate any 3 of the secondary controls. These include, the wipers, the lights, including dipping the headlights, the windscreen washer,the fan, the air vents, the rear dimistor(window heater), the temperature controls, fog lights, and aircon controls. Where wipers are not working the test will be cancelled.

Technical Checks
On your driving test you will be asked to verbally explain 3 technical checks. These are random and can be regarding, tyres, lights, reflectors, indicators, the engine oil, the coolant, the windscreen washer, the steering, the brakes, the brake fuild, the power steering and the horn. Make sure you can open and close the bonnet as fialure to do so will constitutes a fault.

The Oral Test
You will be asked at least 18 questions and signs regarding the rules of the road. If you fail to answer 3 wrong you will gain a fault. if you answer 6 wrong you will gain 2 faults. This part of the driving test is generally not given the attention it requires and subsequently many test candidates accrue faults in this section. Remember this is the 1st impression the driving tester has of you,and if the tester feels you do not know the ‘rules of the road’ it could instill a doubt in his mind as to how much preparation you have have.

Hand Signals
You will be asked to demonstrate 5 hand signals on the driving test, these will be in the ‘rules of the road book’ (pages 85-86) and are normally, how to signal to a garda or pointmans your intention to go straight ahead or turn left. These are demonstrated inside the car. Then you will be asked to lower your window and signal to the car behind you intend to turn right, turn left, or slow down and stop. Remember to check your mirror and blindspot before sticking your hand out the window.

L Plates
There are many different types of L Plates, some will cling to the windscreen, some will will stick to the outside of the windscreen. Regardless of which type you have, the L Plates must be red in colour on a rectangular plate bearing the letter ‘L’  not less than 15 centimetres high on a white background and with a border of at least 2 centimetres. If the L plate falls off, carry a spare or try to stick it back up.

Mirrors
Cars require 3 mirrors, 2 external and one internal. Vans require 2 mirrors.Tractors must have a mirror fitted. Towing vehicles must have 2 mirrors.The mirrors must allow you obtain an adequate view of traffic to your sides and rear. They should be clean and clear. Cracks which would obscure your vision must be repaired.or replaced.

Insurance Discs
Your vehicle must display a valid insurance disc. It should have the registration of the vehicle and or the fleet name.

NCT Certificate
You must have a valid NCT certificate displayed if required. A letter is not sufficent to say you have a NCT test booked.

Tax Disc
You must have a valid tax disc displayed on the vehicle for the test to be conducted.

Arriving late
Arriving late will automatically cancel your driving test. You will forfeit your fee and have to reapply again.

The Manoeuvres
The 3 manoeuvres you will carry out on the driving test will be: 1) The Reverse (currently to the left), 2) The Turnabout and 3) The Hill Start. Remember not to race through these just to get them done. Take your time and observe each time you move off. Use your handbrake if/when you have to stop, and again observe each time you move off.

An Interpreter
If there is a language difficulty where a candidates english is poor, or a candidate has speech or hearing difficulties an interpreter can be used. The interpreter can sit in on the oral test, the technical checks and secondary control checks, but not on the practical test. The interpreter can also sit in when the test result is being issued. If the tester cannot understand you then your test wil be abandoned.

An Accident On The Test
If an accident occures on the driving test then the test will be abandoned and you will have to reapply. If there was no injury or damage the test can continue.

Try to remember that when you are sitting the driving test, you are in control all the way through. The tester is only assessing what you would have been preparing for with your driving instructor. The tester should give you reasonable time to be able to carry out any instruction. The tester must be impartial and sometimes this may give the impression of ignorance. Do not take this personally as this is his/her job.

Some Tips

  • Never panic if you make a mistake.
  • Never dwell on a mistake you have just made. This could cause you to make several more mistakes.
  • Never wave or flash your lights at someone you know or in anger.
  • Each time you stop at a junction relax your shoulders and take long deep breaths.
  • Don’t rush in to a situation, take your time and assess the correct course of action to take.
  • Never follow the vehicle in front. Make your own decisions and allow plently of distance between you and other vehicles on the road (especially on wet or poor surfaces).
  • Stay positive all the way through the driving test, never give up. The test is not over until the tester hands you the result.
  • Get used to driving in silence, so turn off your radio and ipod. On the test the only sounds you need to hear will be the driving testers instructions.
  • Finally, drive the way you always drive. If you change your driving style when the driving tester is sitting beside you, you will probably fail. You should have prepared well for the test and be comfortable with your own driving style.
  • Arrive approximately15 minutes before your test start time. You only need to bring your driving permit/licence with you.
  • When you are sitting in the waiting room take the opportunity to relax and focus on what you have to do.
  • Use only RSA ADI’s to help you prepare for your driving test, and prepare early.
  • Don’t wait until 2 weeks before the test and cram in a few lessons. The driving test is a very serious test and needs respect.
  • When you pass the driving test you will be handed a certificate which will allow you to drive a machine that can be a very useful tool if used correctly or potentially deadly if not.

You can view a list of RSA ADI’s on the Find A Driving Instructor page on LDrivers.ie.

Good luck and safe driving.

LDrivers.ie


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