Successful - post here

Passed today on my second try!! I'm so excited I finally qualify to post on this thread

The_N4sir wrote: »

Passed first time today in Rathgar! Thanks to all posters, this thread was a big help.

BTW I didn't get N plates from the tester...I must have been too excited. Anyway can I get N plates from the NDLS or do I have to go back to the test centre? Do you even get them from the tester in the first place?

I had to buy mine. One of my friends was given them after she passed but she was in the Woodview centre in Limerick. Myself and others that did it in the Casltemungret one didn't get them at all. Depends on the centre, it seems.

The_N4sir wrote: »

Thanks for that. Where did you buy them if you don't mind me asking?

There's a halfords near me so I got them there. I'm not 100% sure what other shops do them.

I've seen them in a few Dunnes Stores. Ashleaf, if it's hand for you near Rathgar.

It looks like they're becoming about as widespread as L plates.

Picked up my N plates today in Dunnes Leopardstown

Passed my EB test, it was ten years since I did my original test so I was a bit worried but having some lessons beforehand really helped!
I got 2 grade two's and one grade one.

Finally!!!!!!! It is my turn to post in this thread! SOOO HAPPY!!!

Passed my driving test yesterday in Dundalk on the 5th attempt with only 2 blue marks and several greens Yay! Happy days! And a great THANK YOU goes to this Forum members for recommendation of the driving instructor. I would not name him in order not to break the forum rules but he seems to be really well-known here.

Like previous poster James Forde I was feeling like giving up trying for more than once and continued driving only of sheer necessity. The last test before I went back to learning had been failed disgracefully with 37 blue and a bunch of pink marks. You would swear the poor tester was praying under his breath for the duration of it :eek:. Yesterday I got the same tester and passed after making only a couple of silly mistakes (though I should admit that I was a nervous wreck from the very first to the very last moment of it).

Finally passed today in Tallaght on what I think was my 5th attempt (took a long hiatus from going for it). Totally thought I'd fecked it up cause I forgot to get in gear a few times moving off. The tester was lovely and I was totally shocked when I was told I'd passed.

The form I got is totally different to what I got previously - he only circled different areas (mainly progress). Nothing about grade 1,2 or 3s - noticed that it says at the bottom that a report will be sent out, I assume I'll get it by post?

Anyway I headed to the NDLS in Citywest soon after and got in and out of there in under an hour. Cannot believe it's actually over!

Passed first time yesterday in Waterford with a few green marks and one blue!

If I can do it, anyone can- I can't stress that enough. Just a couple of weeks ago I was still a nervous wreck in the car with my instructor, stalling the car and getting unnecessarily worked up over every mistake! Was fine doing normal driving but as soon as someone was judging me and telling me what to do I lost all confidence. It was only in the last couple of refresher lessons that I started getting more comfortable. I've had my learner's permit for far longer than I care to admit, thought I'd never get to this stage!

I practised a LOT of positive thinking in the days leading up to the test- didn't dwell on the possibility of failing it or what could go wrong, just pictured myself driving really well and reminded myself of the fact that I'm a perfectly capable driver. I was so strangely calm when the actual test was happening, I knew within the first 10 minutes I was on to a winner! Strange how things can just go right on the day.

EDIT: I also found the videos on drivingtips.ie pretty helpful. Have another 9 days paid for access to the site that I won't be needing now- if anyone wants the PIN, PM me.

Finally passed today on my 3rd attempt and I don't think I've ever been as nervous and then as happy in my entire life!

My first test just barely failed, mostly from going too fast because of nerves. The second was an utter disaster. I got 2 Grade 3's and about 14 grade 2's. Before I even started the test my hands were shaking so much I could barely get into gear.

The annoying thing is I'm actually a pretty good, safe driver when I'm calm but I was getting so worked up and anxious about the tests that I couldn't even see properly - it was like tunnel vision descended, I forgot everything I learned and I just wanted the test to end one way or another.

Someone on an old thread here suggested a self-hypnosis CD and when I finally reapplied I was desperate enough to give it a go. If anyone else is very anxious I would definitely recommend getting a hold of Pass Your Driving Test by Glenn Harrold - there is a track for the driving test and another for general nerves when driving.
I used it over 3 weeks and found it useful for putting me into a calmer state before the test and feeling more positive in general about driving. I had a couple of mistakes during the test that would have sent me over the edge before, but I was able to move on from them this time. I don't think I would have passed without it.

And don't give up, if I can do it anyone can!

Passed yesterday in Finglas and headed straight out to the NDLS in Santry. Also got a decrease on my insurance
Absolutely over the moon, got 3 grade 2s so I'm not a perfect driver but the test takes account of that.
My main advice would be - don't let the tester tapping on their tablet put you off - at one stage he tapped twice in a row and I just took a deep breath, reminded myself that you get 8 goes before you are out, and focussed on the next thing. Some people get by with no faults at all but if you are an average human being who makes a mistake, let it go, and get on with the rest of the test as well as you can.
Anyone in North Dublin looking for a brilliant instructor, send me a PM, I would recommend the guy who taught me 100%.

long time looking through this forum, delighted to say that I passed first time in Finglas yesterday went straight to the NDLS this morning! A good few people passed yesterday that I was there with, testers must of had a good day. even drove for the first time on a motorway this evening

JamboMac wrote: »

Congrats I have mine in finglas on Monday, hope they didn't use their quota in one day.

Out of curiosity did you get any faults?

I got 5 grade twos, but the grade 2s are for things you might easily forget about like not looking in your blind spot etc. the tester I got was quite formal but he was pretty easy on the marking, but from what I gathered the testers seemed quite nice and you stopped being nervous in the actual test. once you are confident in your driving youll be fine. A tip would be to drive around finglas for an hour or so before the test. Oh and when you turn right out of the test centre, if you go down the road a bit and the first left turn you come across, it is really small and narrow, my tester brought me down that way id practice turning around that a few times, easy way for them to mark you down, i drove into that turn about 100 times before the test :pac:

passed my test last Wednesday first time lucky
done it in the finglas one.

To be fair I should of failed, as I nearly collided with another car, he told me if it had been any other tester it would of been a fail straight away but it was the other drivers fault for speeding around a bend, so he let me away with a grade 2 for anticipation legend!

questions were straight forward enough, didnt know 2 of them but he never marked them down or gave me any minors for them?
he was either in a very good mood or was told to let some people pass :L
don't care either way I'll be driving from saturday onwards! feck the buses!!!

too anyone who has failed and reads this, don't give up! it will be worth it when you get it

Finally passed 3rd time in finglas, 8 grade 2's. Now I'm licensed to kill, I mean drive. Good luck to all who have it coming up.

I presumed I failed.

P.s if your doing the same route on the test don't presume instructions wait for them.