[dewsbury]

I am experienced biker and doing my driving test (bike) finally. (I got full car licence years ago).

There has been a waiting list in south Dublin of a ridiculous 18 months !

Questions:

How is my driving test conducted?
What will I fail on?
How do I prepare for it?

Thanks

[jimbling]

Originally Posted by dewsbury

I am experienced biker and doing my driving test (bike) finally. (I got full car licence years ago).

There has been a waiting list in south Dublin of a ridiculous 18 months !

Questions:

How is my driving test conducted?
What will I fail on?
How do I prepare for it?

Thanks

The instructor follows behind in a car.
It's pretty easy to be honest, if you are experienced driver you should have no problem with any of it. The only slight issue might be the slow u-turn. If you have a big long cruiser it can be difficult.
Preparation can be covered by getting one lesson from an instructor familiar with your area.

I would advise getting one lesson at least.

[dewsbury]

Thanks jimbling.

I will get a lesson.

Does the tester speak to me via an earphone ??
How long does the test last?

Do I need to bring proof of insurance & tax?

[nialler24]

Originally Posted by dewsbury

Does the tester speak to me via an earphone ??
How long does the test last?

Do I need to bring proof of insurance & tax?

You will be given a one way radio with an earphone. The tester will give you directions using this.
The test usually lasts for approx. 40 to 45 minutes depending on traffic etc.
You need to bring your driving licence, thats all.

more information

[jimbling]

Originally Posted by nialler24

You will be given a one way radio with an earphone. The tester will give you directions using this.
The test usually lasts for approx. 40 to 45 minutes depending on traffic etc.
You need to bring your driving licence, thats all.

more information

WTF?? When did they start doing this? The instructor just told me the route on the morning (the guy giving the lesson had told me a route, but they decided to change it suddenly) and then followed me in a car. At one point I forgot where to go... had to stop and ask him. Still no problems though.

[Pigeon Reaper]

this started a good few years ago. often the radios don't work.

[Wossack]

I believe you have to have a taxed machine to do the test on (displayed disk). And nowerdays, since dec 1st, you must wear the L-plate tabard

Insurance/restriction (if necessary) are covered in the 'roadworthyness declaration' that you'll sign before the practical portion of the test - no proof required, only your signature

[Noelie]

My test lasted about 20 minutes on the road, i was given a one way radio and the instructor just told me where to go, The test routes can change so there is no definite route but the tester may have a favoured route that he takes most people on.

I totally ****ed up my U-turn, imo he took me to a road which was too narrow, i've a cbr250 which doesn't turn to tightly, that kind of put me off but i still passed.

Do lots of observation and a life saver with every turn even if you think you know the road is clear behind you still do it, like i was told it's a safety test as much as a driving test.

[delop]

Originally Posted by Noelie

Do lots of observation and a life saver with every turn even if you think you know the road is clear behind you still do it, like i was told it's a safety test as much as a driving test.

Be carefull with this advice, Its good advice but some centers have different rules, As far as I know if you do a lifesaver on every left you will fail in Finglas, but if you dont do it in Raheny you will fail. Thats why its important to get a lession, and make sure you get it close to the date of the test if you can. The lession is not about skills, Its more about what you will need to do to pass the test...

Check you lights and indicators, I had modified indicators and he stopped the test after 2 minutes and told me to continue with Hand signals, Which was fine but rattled me for a sec as I thought I had failed.

[CrazyRabbit]

I did my test in Tallaght.
The tester failed me on just about everything. Now, at this point I had been driving accident free for 5 years. Naturally, I made a complaint. While there was 0% of any complaint ever being upheld, I was given another free test the following week.
I followed the same route, and drove exactly as I had done in the previous test. No changes whatsoever....same speeds, observation, road position etc. I made every effort to recreate what I had done in the first test. I passed with no faults at all. Not a single fault.

I asked the test centre to explain this, and they replied saying that I had obviously improved in the past week and wished me many years of happy safe driving blah blah blah.

So why did the first tester fail me? He didn't like me. He was a grumpy git and did not respond well to some non-offensive humor when we met.

My advice therefore is to treat the test as if you were going for a job interview....keep it professional.
-Bring your licence, tax disk and insurance details with you.
-Make sure you wear a reflective jacket. I believe the L tabard is required now as well.
-Ensure that your bike is in good working order. Brakes, indicators and indicators will be checked.
-It's also a good idea to drive with your headlights on.
-Be a confident driver. Nervousness will cause you to make mistakes or over-analyse your own driving.
-Accelerating quickly is fine, so long as it's not dangerous or excessive. Slow acceleration can actually cost you marks for 'failure to progress on straights.'
-If you are checking your mirrors or doing a life saver glance, make it a bit more noticeable than usual. Pronouced head movements make it easier for the tester to see.
-Have some idea of the traffic/lanes in the area surrounding the test centre. It helps to know the layout of the area.

Good luck to you. Hope you get a decent tester.

[dewsbury]

Originally Posted by Wossack

since dec 1st, you must wear the L-plate tabard

Yes, I believe that this is the case.

After 25 years on bikes (yes 25!) I will, for the first time, wear an L-plate!

(Please don't use the above comment as an opportunity to slag me off for waiting 25 years..... there was about 10 years in the middle without a bike..)

[tk123]

Originally Posted by dewsbury

Yes, I believe that this is the case.

After 25 years on bikes (yes 25!) I will, for the first time, wear an L-plate!

(Please don't use the above comment as an opportunity to slag me off for waiting 25 years..... there was about 10 years in the middle without a bike..)

You weren't driving around east wall road the other day where you? I saw an 'older' driver with his Ls on!

[rameire]

i did my test in portlaoise, i have only ever driven mopeds and non geared bikes, ( bigger mopeds) i curently drive a 250cc moped, i have never driven a geared bike, and wanted to do my test on a geared bike as i didnt want to be stuck on automatic bikes for ever, so i got a great instructor in portlaoise, he seems to be high up in the biker world in ireland and knows alot of people and info.
well i went for my first lesson and he said his bike which i would be driving was a 1 down 5 up model, and i asked what does that mean, well, he back stepped and muttered to himself oh god what have i got here, but he still went ahead with me and after 4 lessons and alot of driving, i think well over 300km of driving, i did my test on his bike and passed, i believe if you have the confidence on the bike and keep on doing the life saver and moving your head to look around every few seconds, you should have no problem, thats hoping you can actually drive though.
regarding the radio's they are great and sometimes dont work, so just slow down and put your hand on your head to signal the radio dont work, and the tester will try to comunicate to you again. also dont be afraid to excelerate away from the car, as the tester will expect you to. and if a vehicle gets in between you and the tester dont panic just keep on driving, and good luck, dont forget to learn your signs, the one people always get wrong is the white circle with the red surround.

[smoc]

Practice your U turn! if you put your foot down its game over

[Noelie]

Originally Posted by smoc

Practice your U turn! if you put your foot down its game over

No it's not, I put my foot down and still passed