Baldoyle Test Centre

rrrkelly

wats up

got driving test in new baldoyle test centre in a couple of weeks, anyone done their test there yet? and what route did the instructor take? need to past coz the old folks promised me a new car if i pass first time :D:D.......... feedback appreciated..........cheers

squishywishy

rrrkelly wrote: »

got driving test in new baldoyle test centre in a couple of weeks

so does half of Dublin it seems!!

test centre is only open a week or two so there is very little info out there. Friend of mine passed there monday so ill post the route when he telle me. Have mine there in 3 weeks too

shell123

Hi,

I done my Test in Baldoyle on Wednesday morning and passed it was first time i was chuffed...

The Route: i took a left coming out of Baldoyle Industrial Estate straight up towards the donaghmede roundabout and took the first exit (Left) and then i took the first right and he brought me into the estate there (behind Donaghmede Church) an i done my Reverse around the corner in a quite little estate it was dead handy as i tought they would bring me to a main road to do it, so then i came out of that estate and ended up on the top of St Donaghs Road (were the 29a passes) and took a left down Kilbarrick Road and tookthe next right into Swansnest road and up to Mountdolive to do my Turnabout.... after that he took me back down the way i came and back up the killbarrick road straigh trough the lights at the firestation and took the third right into Foxhill and stright up to the Darndale Roundabout and took the third exit to the malahide road, passed Clarehall Shopping Centre took the right at the lights there and straight back down to the test centre i was only out forlike 30 mins max.... Hope this helps

Shell123

JustCoz

Hey just passed my tset in Baldoyle this morning! So chuffed. Took a left coming out of the test centre towards the roundabout and took the first exit. Did the reverse in an estate in Kilbarrack near the train station and he brought me on the main road near Tesco in clarehall. The whole thing is a bit of a blur now. All the instructors were really friendly. Best of luck!

nialler1

Has anybody else done the Baldoyle test? Could you post the route if you have.
thanks

j1979p

Anyone know or even hear anything about the Baldoyle test route??? ISM promised me an instructor who would know this route but my pre-test instructor actually didn't know about it at all.

GrumPy

I did the test and passed last week. My instructor was excellent but there's at least five routes they chop and change considering it's a new centre.

Therefore when I did my test if I had not been familiar with the area anyway, I wouldn't have been pre-paired at all.

squishywishy

Passed my test there today!
tester appeared to have a sheet with directions on it.
I was taken left out of the test centre and down to donaghmede for my reverse and 3 point turn. then through a load of estates around by donaghmede shopping centre before going back onto the malahide road and back to the centre.
The route appears to be the same/similar to the one posted above.
Tbh id try not to worry about routes and just concentrate on driving well
Best of luck

snickerpuss

I have my test here in 2 weeks. My mate passed there last week and she hasn't been driving very long. The furthest she'd ever driven was from donaghmede to clontarf and she managed to pass with 8 grade 2's.

I'm really pleased I got an SGS and chose this centre cos I know Donaghmede and Baldoyle pretty well. Dying to pass after having a diaster of a test in Raheny. Hopefully nicer tester this time, the last one was pretty weird and made me really nervous.

squishywishy

snickerpuss wrote: »

I have my test here in 2 weeks. My mate passed there last week and she hasn't been driving very long. The furthest she'd ever driven was from donaghmede to clontarf and she managed to pass with 8 grade 2's.

I'm really pleased I got an SGS and chose this centre cos I know Donaghmede and Baldoyle pretty well. Dying to pass after having a diaster of a test in Raheny. Hopefully nicer tester this time, the last one was pretty weird and made me really nervous.

Hi Snickerpuss,
Best of luck in the test, I passed there last week after also having a horrible experience in Raheny. PM me if you have any questions

j1979p

Had my (failed) test there on saturday. We actually turned right at the lights outside the industrial estate and not left as most people seemed to have done. Did my manouveres in Baldoyle itself before heading the Donaghmede shopping center direction. Didn't know the area at all.

coolshark

j1979p wrote: »

Had my (failed) test there on saturday. We actually turned right at the lights outside the industrial estate and not left as most people seemed to have done. Did my manouveres in Baldoyle itself before heading the Donaghmede shopping center direction. Didn't know the area at all.

I'm a driving instructor
Below is the other test route in SGS Baldoyle test centre:

Leaving the test centre turn right at the lights leaving the industrial estate. Drive down to the next set of lights and turn left into Grange Park and take the next turn right and park on the left in between the trees. This is the most common place to do the turnabout manoeuvre and hand signals straight after. Move off and turn left down the traffic lights and turn left and then the next turn right before the church up Seagrange Road. There are 4 left hand turns where you can do the reverse around the corner along Seagrange road. You'll be turning left and follow around the bend down to the T-junction then right all the way down to the lights leaving Abbey PArk. Drive all the way up to Donaghmede Roundabout and 1st Exit towards Donaghmede then left at the lights before the S.C. Follow the road around a tight bend at Newbrook passed the pedestrian lights and then left at T-junction. Drive down Donaghmede Road to the last turn right down Carndonagh Lawn and then follow the road left all the way around passed Howth Junction Dart Station and the Hill Start is a bit further near a lamp-post on a single yellow line. Move off there and take next left and then right onto Kilbarrick Road. All the way up then right at the lights up Grange Road opposite the fire station.

WATCH OUT FOR THE NASTY POTHOLE JUST OVER THE FIRST RAMP BEFORE THE BOX JUNCTION FOR ST DONAGH'S ROAD!! IF YOU DRIVE INTO IT YOU WILL FAIL YOUR TEST!! A TESTER TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO GET A PUNCTURE IF YOU GO INTO IT COS IT IS SO DEEP!!

Continue all the way up and take 3rd exit right at Donaghmede Roundabout up over the bridge then right at the lights back into industrial estate.

If anyone on this site needs any pre-tests for any centre in SGS:

Baldoyle
Finglas
Clonshaugh
Airside
Ballymun

Raheny or Finglas

Give me a shout

j1979p

If only I had you as my instructor! ISM promised me an instructor who knew the route. Before my lesson, he got pulled over by the police apparently and I had to re-schedule (after waitnig 40 mins for him). The other guy I got didn't know the route and let's just say quite a lot of marks against me wouldn't have happened if I had known the route better (I missed a few signsd and road markings which got me grade 2's).

You don't do swords too do you (just in case I'm there when I book next test)?

snickerpuss

Coolshark certainly knows what he's talking about cos that's the exact route my mate got. Will look out for that pot hole cheers. Have a pre-test later on, I'm hoping it goes well.

squishywishy

snickerpuss wrote: »

Coolshark certainly knows what he's talking about cos that's the exact route my mate got. Will look out for that pot hole cheers. Have a pre-test later on, I'm hoping it goes well.

True but a friend of mine also got a different route to that one and to the one i got. I belive there are more than two routes as Snickerpuss suggested.

Also, as Wishbone rightly points out in other threads, routes are not law and traffic conditions etc can make a tester detour from the route so driving around the area generally is far better than practising 'routes'. at the end of the day a competent driver can drive safely on any road.

Nools

coolshark wrote: »

I'm a driving instructor
Below is the other test route in SGS Baldoyle test centre:

Leaving the test centre turn right at the lights leaving the industrial estate. Drive down to the next set of lights and turn left into Grange Park and take the next turn right and park on the left in between the trees. This is the most common place to do the turnabout manoeuvre and hand signals straight after. Move off and turn left down the traffic lights and turn left and then the next turn right before the church up Seagrange Road. There are 4 left hand turns where you can do the reverse around the corner along Seagrange road. You'll be turning left and follow around the bend down to the T-junction then right all the way down to the lights leaving Abbey PArk. Drive all the way up to Donaghmede Roundabout and 1st Exit towards Donaghmede then left at the lights before the S.C. Follow the road around a tight bend at Newbrook passed the pedestrian lights and then left at T-junction. Drive down Donaghmede Road to the last turn right down Carndonagh Lawn and then follow the road left all the way around passed Howth Junction Dart Station and the Hill Start is a bit further near a lamp-post on a single yellow line. Move off there and take next left and then right onto Kilbarrick Road. All the way up then right at the lights up Grange Road opposite the fire station.

WATCH OUT FOR THE NASTY POTHOLE JUST OVER THE FIRST RAMP BEFORE THE BOX JUNCTION FOR ST DONAGH'S ROAD!! IF YOU DRIVE INTO IT YOU WILL FAIL YOUR TEST!! A TESTER TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO GET A PUNCTURE IF YOU GO INTO IT COS IT IS SO DEEP!!

Continue all the way up and take 3rd exit right at Donaghmede Roundabout up over the bridge then right at the lights back into industrial estate.

If anyone on this site needs any pre-tests for any centre in SGS:

Baldoyle
Finglas
Clonshaugh
Airside
Ballymun

Raheny or Finglas

Give me a shout

thanks my ism instructor took me this way last week, he's taking me the donaghmeade/clare hall way tomorrow!

snickerpuss

I posted my route for the test centre in the successful thread.
Here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=56034940&postcount=372
2 other people I know got the exact same route and most routes involve the general area.
Good luck!

Zari

Can anyone tell me how to apply for driving test in the Baldoyle Test Centre? Thanks

snickerpuss

You have to apply for Raheny and you might get a choice of RSA Raheny, SGS Swords, SGS Ballymun, or SGS Clonsaugh. Just luck of the draw. I got SGS and got to pick from the three above.

Zari

Thanks for that Snickerpuss

Elmo

How do you apply for the Baldoyle test centre?

www.drivingtest.ie doesn't have it listed on its dropdown list.

Alanstrainor

Read about 2 comments above yours...

Elmo

You have to apply for Raheny and you might get a choice of RSA Raheny, SGS Swords, SGS Ballymun, or SGS Clonsaugh. Just luck of the draw. I got SGS and got to pick from the three above.

It says nothing nothing about baldoyle. OTT IMO.

Alanstrainor

????

Elmo

I am joking, thank you for your help.

Alanstrainor

hehehehe, sorry, slightly hungover, slow to pick up on the sarcasm . You cannot apply directly to any sgs centre, you must apply to a rsa centre, you may then be refered onto a sgs centre. Just to clarify

tomcosgrave

coolshark wrote: »

Leaving the test centre turn right at the lights leaving the industrial estate. Drive down to the next set of lights and turn left into Grange Park and take the next turn right and park on the left in between the trees. This is the most common place to do the turnabout manoeuvre and hand signals straight after. Move off and turn left down the traffic lights and turn left and then the next turn right before the church up Seagrange Road. There are 4 left hand turns where you can do the reverse around the corner along Seagrange road. You'll be turning left and follow around the bend down to the T-junction then right all the way down to the lights leaving Abbey PArk. Drive all the way up to Donaghmede Roundabout and 1st Exit towards Donaghmede then left at the lights before the S.C. Follow the road around a tight bend at Newbrook passed the pedestrian lights and then left at T-junction. Drive down Donaghmede Road to the last turn right down Carndonagh Lawn and then follow the road left all the way around passed Howth Junction Dart Station and the Hill Start is a bit further near a lamp-post on a single yellow line. Move off there and take next left and then right onto Kilbarrick Road. All the way up then right at the lights up Grange Road opposite the fire station.

WATCH OUT FOR THE NASTY POTHOLE JUST OVER THE FIRST RAMP BEFORE THE BOX JUNCTION FOR ST DONAGH'S ROAD!! IF YOU DRIVE INTO IT YOU WILL FAIL YOUR TEST!! A TESTER TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO GET A PUNCTURE IF YOU GO INTO IT COS IT IS SO DEEP!!

Continue all the way up and take 3rd exit right at Donaghmede Roundabout up over the bridge then right at the lights back into industrial estate.

I passed my test this morning with 5 minor errors!
The route was the exact one above. I believe the pothole mentioned above has been repaired as I didn't notice it at all when out practising, and those in the car with me couldn't locate it either. But that said, be sure of this yourself and don't rely on my observations!

Thanks to all who posted what routes they took as I think this was a huge help. The testor was very nice and relaxed.

snickerpuss

They have fixed that pothole actually.
And well done!

Sandra.c

Does anyone know if they are still going the Darndale roundabout way? I'm having nightmares about that route - will have to practice more I suppose:eek:

tomcosgrave

I did my test one week ago and they were using it then. So you should take it that it is in use. My tester had me approach it from Blunden Drive, making a right turn (3rd exit) onto the Malahide Road.

Sandra.c

Thanks, have lesson on friday, will make sure I get him to take me that way. (Just reading your post from 27 August - was it not the Baldoyle/Donaghmede roundabout you did?)

tomcosgrave

If you follow the routes that have been listed here, they should be up to date - the test centre is only new, so the chances are the routes will still be used. The route posted by coolshark is the exact route I was taken on when I had my test last week.

Sandra.c

Sorry, read coolsharks post and didn't see anything about Darndale roundabout just Donaghmede, but I see your later post now about Blunden Drive. Know exactly where you mean. Thanks.

eoghanmcdonnell

Had my test there on the 4th Sept and passed. Did the route where you turn right at the lights leaving the industrial estate. Have to say, the tester was an absolute gent and made me really relaxed which in turn meant I drove without any stress - I only got marked on 1 minor fault for the whole test. Even when I was stuttering on the questions he got me to relax - I am crap at oral exams but the impression I got was as long as you know the gist of what the rule is they go on to the next question. Good luck with the test and just relax, drive like you would normally and you'll be fine.

Sandra.c

Thanks for that, everyone says the testers are lovely in Bladoyle which is making me feel more relaxed already. Had a very bad experience in a different test centre. One question - did you drive in the gates and park there before you went out, and when you came back, or did you park out on the road? I drove in yesterday and it would have been very awkward to park - panicking a bit about when I arrive back at the centre and there'll be nowhere to park - dont want to mess it up at the last hurdle.

eoghanmcdonnell

I parked at the gate before I went in, just make sure you can get out of the spot easily and what not. I seemed to be the last test of the day so when I came back there were loads of spots. I parked in one of the designated test parking places. I would say just take a breath a do what you would do normally if these places are taken, i.e. calmly look for another place to park whilst using proper observation

Sandra.c

Well, thanks for everyones advice, I passed this morning, with 3 faults. Testers are lovely, was plenty of space to park when I got back so didn't have to worry about that. The RSA inspectors were in, thought I was going to have one in the back but didn't thank God. Much better experinece than Raheny a few months back.

tomcosgrave

Sandra.c wrote: »

Well, thanks for everyones advice, I passed this morning, with 3 faults. Testers are lovely, was plenty of space to park when I got back so didn't have to worry about that. The RSA inspectors were in, thought I was going to have one in the back but didn't thank God. Much better experinece than Raheny a few months back.

Great news! I hated the Raheny centre, it seems to be staffed by some seriously poor testers, going by the number of people I know who have passed in Baldoyle recently, after taking previous tests in Raheny.

Get your licence straight away! I got mine a week after passing, and it feels great knowing I have that piece of pink paper in my pocket ;-)

Elmo

Are there only 2 routes?

Sandra.c

Route 3 is marked down on my certificate. When we came out of the Industrial Est we turned right and then left into Grange Road, up the top of that road, aound Stapolin Lawns, where I did my turn about, then back down Grange Road, right at the lights and up to the Donaghmede roundabout. Took the first left at the roundabout and then first right. Did hand signals in this estate (Grangemore) then came back out from Ardara Ave, right onto main road towards the firestation. Think he was going to do reversing in this estate but there was someone practising at nearly every corner! So after we came back out on the main road we went back in right (the last turn before the Tonlegee Road) and did the reverse here. Then we headed up to the Darndale Roundabout - 3rd exit, up past Tesco at Clarehall, through Clarehall and back to the test centre.
Apparently 9 times out of 10 they will bring you to the Darndale roundabout, and take the 3rd exit.

Sandra.c

And there are some nasty potholes before you come out of the industrial estate, my tester actually commented on how bad they are. I tried to avoid them but my back wheel went into one, but I didn't get any faults for it. Thankfully the ones on the Grange Road near the shopping centre have been filled in and there is a nice new road surface here.

siva

I came across this post yesterday. Thanks to everyone who contributed. I had my test there today and sample routes really helped. No driving lessons and passed with just 1 grade 2 mark. Delighted!! :D:D

Posy

Well done! I hope I get called for Baldoyle, it seems like a good centre with nice examiners. (I know being able to drive etc helps too..)

siva

The tester was brilliant, very relaxing and complementary on my driving skills. I was very nervous going in to the test but he made me feel very comfortable within minutes which makes all the difference. A nice change from the testers in Raheny. Best of luck to you.

Sandra.c

Well done Siva.
Caderyn, If you get a different SGS test centre, you can ring up and change it to Baldoyle if you like, or any other SGS test centre, and you can change the time also. Try to get a mid morning one, much quieter. Baldoyle seems to have a longer wait though. I was offered one in Clonshaugh several weeks earlier than Baldoyle, but chose Baldoyle as I know the area.
Failed in Raheny in June with lots of faults, one or two I know I deserved but most of them I really dont know what I did, my instructor was shocked. Every time I went around a corner, the tester rolled down the window and leaned out to see how close I was to the curb, really made be feel nervous. Someone else I know of who did their test in Raheny has a complaint in about the same tester, he was very rude to her. Only had 3 faults in Baldoyle, and all the testers seem to be lovely.

moodle

Passed my test in baldoyle yday morning.. Delighted:):D:).. Tester was real sound and he was just looking for me to drive normally and safely. First time doin the test, but i reckon you couldn't get a better test centre tbh. All the testers there seemed very nice and my one was very fair. A few pre-tests just before the test and you should be fine.. Thanks to everyone for the tips.. The route he brought me was the same posted earlier, taking a right out of the industrial estate. Only problem i had was at the darndale roundabout as it was very busy at the time.. Best of luck to anyone doing the test soon.

Sandra.c

Well done, its a great feeling. They seem to be a decent bunch there, they dont give you faults for ridiculous things. My advice to anyone doing their test here is practice the Darndale roundabout/malahide road a lot as they seem to go that way most times. Also there is a bus lane in Clarehall so stay to the right at the small roundabout there, and then back into the left as soon as the bus lane is ending for the next roundabout.

siva

Sandra.c wrote: »

Well done Siva.
Caderyn, If you get a different SGS test centre, you can ring up and change it to Baldoyle if you like, or any other SGS test centre, and you can change the time also. Try to get a mid morning one, much quieter. Baldoyle seems to have a longer wait though. I was offered one in Clonshaugh several weeks earlier than Baldoyle, but chose Baldoyle as I know the area.
Failed in Raheny in June with lots of faults, one or two I know I deserved but most of them I really dont know what I did, my instructor was shocked. Every time I went around a corner, the tester rolled down the window and leaned out to see how close I was to the curb, really made be feel nervous. Someone else I know of who did their test in Raheny has a complaint in about the same tester, he was very rude to her. Only had 3 faults in Baldoyle, and all the testers seem to be lovely.

Thanks Sandra. Feels great to have passed it and cheaper insurance helps. I had the exact same experience with the testers in Raheny. Something needs to be done about them!!

Leejo

Passed my test in Baldoyle today, De-fcukin-lighted!

I'm sick at the mo and hadn't had a proper sleep in 3 days, couple that with the nerves and i honestly didn't think I'd pass even though i knew i was good enough to.

About 5 Min's into the test i thought i had mucked it up so badly that i failed so i calmed down and started to relax, got into the test center fully expecting him to tell me I'd failed, and when he said congratulations i was gobsmacked.

The tester was lovely, down to earth, he could tell i was nervous but helped me as much as possible. Having said that one more mistake and i would've failed

If possible, do your test in Baldoyle!

donaghs

Hi, I'm enquiring on behalf of someone else. (I actually got my test in Raheny last month ).

They basically want to do the test in Baldoyle coz it's closest to them, they know the area etc. Is there anyway of booking a test with SGS, and specifically in Baldoyle?

As far as I can see, you have to book your test through the RSA first. And then they will refer you to SGS if they have a backlog (?)

Sandra.c

You're right, its the luck of the draw. To get Baldoyle, you have to apply to Raheny, I dont know if it would make any difference to put a request on your application for Baldoyle - I'm sure they send a certain amount to SGS - maybe if you got someone sympathetic they might pick your one for forwarding. I had my first test in Raheny and when I reapplied I got a letter from sgs to contact them for a date. I could pick whichever sgs centre I wanted then. If your friend wasn't in too much of a hurry (who isn't though) and she doesn't get sgs first time, maybe she could cancel and see if she gets sgs next time.
(Well done on passing in Raheny):D