Learning to Drive

We dream of getting behind the wheel of our parent's car. Independence! Music at a volume WE love! Picking up our friends and heading out to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Ah, yes.....that was my dream. It is fast starting over again as my son is learning to drive and thinks my car is just there waiting for him to come in and take it!

I love driving, always have done. I de-stress (yes,I did say that.) but only when I leave the streets of Dublin behind me. I love getting out onto country roads with my window open, wind in my face and music either gently playing or the sounds of Meatloaf ringing in my ear, '....you took the words right out of my mouth..'

I have passed on my love of driving to my son along with the lessons my Dad taught me as he took me out for my first driving lessons way back when...!

Driving today is a different ball game and while teaching my son I found myself looking through the eyes of a learner driver which was an education to me.

I am passing on some great hints, tips and advice that I have sourced that I hope will be of some help and have you driving safely in no time at all.

As a learner driver using a car on public roads you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Hold a provisional licence (a category B licence with a vehicle which does not exceed 3,500kg and having passenger accommodation for not more than 8 persons.
• While on a first provisional licence you must be accompanied by a qualified driver at all times. If you hold a second provisional licence, at present the law allows you to drive unaccompanied. For the third and subsequent provisional licences you must revert back to being accompanied by a qualified driver. A qualified driver is a person who holds a full licence in the vehicle category being driven by the provisional licence holder.
• Have at least the basic minimum insurance cover.
• Ensure that the car is in a roadworthy condition, taxed and if the car is over four years old has a current NCT certificate.
• Display L-plates on the front and rear of the car. (Recommended positions are (a) top of the windscreen on the passenger side and (b) on the top of the driver’s side of the rear window).
• Not drive on the motorways.

Provisional Licence

Car drivers (category B) with a provisional licence must be accompanied at all times by, and under the supervision of, a person with a current full driving licence to drive a car. (The only exception to this, is where the driver holds a second provisonal driving licence to drive a car).

Motorcyclists (category A, A1 or M) and work vehicle drivers (category W) with provisional licences, don't have to be accompanied when driving. (In other words, you don't need to have a fully qualified driver accompany you).

All other drivers with provisional licences must be accompanied by and under the supervison of someone with a current full driving licence for the relevant vehicle category.

All provisional licence holders, must display L-plates to the front and rear of the vehicle they are driving at all times.

If you hold a provisonal driving licence, you can't drive a vehicle drawing a trailer, drive on a motorway, act as an accompanying driver or carry other people for reward.

Since the commencement of the Driver Theory Testing Service on 11 June 2001, a theory test certificate must be obtained before a first provisional licence is granted. You may not apply for a third provisional licence unless you can provide evidence that you have (a) undergone a driving test in the two-year period prior to the application or (b) evidence of a forthcoming test date. A two year provisional licence will be granted if you provide evidence you have undergone a driving test, and a one year provisional licence will be granted if you submit evidence of a forthcoming test date.

If your provisional driving licence expired 5 years ago, then you must undergo a Driver Theory test before a new provisional licence can be issued.

Courtesy of the Department of Transport www.transport.ie

The Theory Test

Sample questions can be found on Irish Motoring.ie for;

Cars

Bikes

HGV

Bus

Passing the driving test

One of the main aims of this website is to help the learner driver prepare for the Department of transport driving test so that he or she will be both proficient and confident when the time comes to actually take it.

Driver testing in Ireland is carried out directly by the Department of Transport to a standard that complies with the EU Directive on Driving Licenses. There are 54 test centers throughout the country with waiting times ranging from 20 to 55 weeks depending on the area you choose.

A driving test is a compulsory requirement for motorists who have been issued with two 2-year provisional driving licences. It's important to be aware that you may not apply for a third or subsequent provisional licence for any category of vehicle unless you undergo a driving test. The waiting times vary from county to county; so it is advisable to apply for a test about 10 months before your second provisional licence is due to expire. It is a set standard test and all test centers use the same testing procedures.

A driving test is designed to determine that you:

1. Know the rules of the road

2. Possess the knowledge and skill to drive competently in accordance with those rules

3. Drive with proper regard for the safety and convenience of other road users

Prior to your driving test you should study the Rules of the Road to refresh your memory. It is also a good idea to practice as much driving as possible on all types of roads and in all types of traffic situations. This will help to improve your driving techniques and build your confidence.

On the day of your test, give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the test centre with a few minutes to spare. When your name is called and you are brought into the examination room, your test officially begins.

Driving test examiner:

Driver examiners want learner drivers to show that they know the rules of the road, have reasonable control of the car, and can follow the correct procedures when carrying out basic manoeuvres such as turns, lane changes and parking. They do not expect a perfect performance, and they know that a beginner will be nervous, but they do expect you to be able to read the road environment (signs, signals, junctions etc).

The Driving Test:

The test will be straightforward and the examiner will not try to trick you and contrary to popular belief has no quota for passing or failing. Do not waste your time or the examiners time by not preparing properly for the test. Contact a reputable driving school and take a pre-test driving lesson. You may have to take a couple of these as any bad habits you have developed will have to be worked on. On your pre-test your instructor will take you around the various routes as well give instruction and advice on how best to sit and pass the test. After your lessons if you wish to further prepare, down load the sample driving test routes on www.irishmotoring.ie . These routes will help you become even more familiar with the town and it's surrounding and will help gain further confidence in your own abilities.

On a typical test route will be expected to complete some the following manoeuvres:

• moving off

• driving in traffic

• stopping

• reversing round a corner

• turning about to face in the opposite direction

• starting on a hill

• parking

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, demisters, etc

Quite often you will have to turn right/left at a busy crossroad or at a junction controlled by traffic lights. Somewhere on the route you will be asked to turn the car in the road (turn about) reverse round a corner.

Drive in a common sense manner at a reasonable speed, and do not carry caution to a ridiculous length. In built up areas a speed limit of 50km/h applies , and if you enter an area with a different speed limit increase or decrease your speed accordingly. Do not exceed the speed limit or you will certainly fail.

Some of the more common causes of failure are listed below. These should help you to recognize the things the examiner watches for. If you drive in a manner that demonstrates to the examiner you are safe, know the correct driving methods and can drive in accordance with the rules of the road you should pass your test.

Some common causes for failing the test:

The following are the most common faults which give rise to candidates failing the driving test:

• inadequate observation moving off, at junctions, at roundabouts and when changing lanes

• failure to anticipate the actions of other drivers

• Incorrect road position on the straight, on bends, turning left, turning right, at roundabouts, and when overtaking

• inadequate progress at junctions, roundabouts, on the straight, and when overtaking

• incorrect or inadequate use of mirrors and signals

• non-compliance with traffic controls, e.g. road signs and markings and traffic lights

• incorrect inadequate or inappropriate use of vehicle controls, including gears, clutch; accelerator, steering, handbrake, footbrake, and secondary controls

• excessive speed for the road or traffic conditions

• failure to yield the right of way to others

• lack of competence in the reverse and turnabout maneuvers

Test Results

If you pass:

You will receive a certificate of competency to drive. This enables you to apply to your local Motor Taxation Office for a full driving licence. The certificate is valid for two years. You should take out a full licence within that period or you will be obliged to pass the driving test again in order to obtain a full licence.

Remember, passing the driving test is not the end of the learning process; so continue to drive carefully and build up your experience in different traffic, weather, lighting and road conditions.

If you fail:

You will receive a detailed report on the faults which occurred during the test. Pay particular attention to these when preparing for your next test without, of course, neglecting other aspects of your driving.

A person aggrieved by a decision of a driving test may appeal to the appropriate District Court under Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. The District Court may either refuse the appeal or if satisfied that the test was not properly conducted, direct that the applicant be given a further test without payment of another fee.

The proper preparation will be evident during your test and your examiner will recognize someone who has or has not prepared properly after just a few minutes. Do not worry about being nervous examiners can usually differentiate between mistakes due to examination nerves and mistakes due to incompetence; a few minors errors caused by nervousness will not cause you to fail. Take the time to examine the driving test score card as this will give you an indication of the various maneuvers and possible problem areas you should work on.

Remember, the Irish Driving test only covers basic driving situations. Passing it does not make a driver safer or competent in dealing with all the different driving situations he or she will meet in a lifetime of driving.

Courtesy of the Dept of Transport www.transport.ie