So.. I have my test in a few days

lol5605

have my test on tuesday, failed a while back with 9 grade 2's, since then I havent had a lesson because i just dont have the money, im grand on every thing its just the observation, is the following all i need or is there any im missing?

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing
-2 wings mirrors and rear view after been stoped in traffic
-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

SteQ

Some of what you are saying is incorrect, If you are going left your first action is to look in the left mirror, followed by the centre mirror before braking, whilst turning left you must be looking in the direction you are going before you move off the junction not in the opposite direction, one of the biggest observation failures is when turning left use your left mirror just before pulling out of the junction in case there is a cyclist on your inside, hope this is of help best of luck A.D.I Instructor

lol5605 wrote: »

have my test on tuesday, failed a while back with 9 grade 2's, since then I havent had a lesson because i just dont have the money, im grand on every thing its just the observation, is the following all i need or is there any im missing?

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing
-2 wings mirrors and rear view after been stoped in traffic
-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

Permabear

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brian076

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Don't check your blind spots when turning or exiting roundabouts, you should avoid looking behind you when driving. If you're changing lane you can take a quick look over your shoulder providing there's nothing in front of you, but it must be a very quick look.

SteQ wrote: »

If you are going left your first action is to look in the left mirror, followed by the centre mirror before braking

While it won't affect your test, the correct procedure when turning left is to check your rear view mirror 1st, followed by your left mirror, followed by a signal & then a final check in your left mirror again. depending on what speed you're going you may not have to brake.

The reason you should check your rear view mirror 1st is that this gives you a true picture of how far behind a vehicle is so that if you do have to brake, and if the vehicle behind is very close, you will need to slow down earlier.

On the other hand the door mirrors on most cars are convex which means that vehicles appear to be further away than they actually are, so you'd use these mirrors to assess the position of other road users.

TwoShedsJackson

lol5605 wrote: »

-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

Do not do this under any circumstances. You should be looking in the direction the car is moving at all times, apart from a quick glance over the shoulder to check blind spot when changing lanes.

If you're turning left or right, check both ways to make sure the way is clear, once you decide it is, move out and turn, looking in the direction you're turning.

Once you've made the decision to go, go and look in the direction of travel.

loobylou

lol5605 wrote: »

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing

Look at your rearview and applicable wing mirror BEFORE indicating, braking.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

AllGunsBlazing

I was also taught to check my blinspot when exiting a roundabout from the inside lane. You're basically changing lanes during this maneuver anyways.

But certainly no need for it if you are leaving the roundabout via the first or second exit then its the usual mirror signal procedure as you should be in the outside lane the whole time.

gillo_100

It isn't just about down to various formula such as when turning left check this and that. You should be checking all your mirrors periodically making sure you are aware where all other road users are in relation to you and where you are going. And obviously when approaching a junction this is even more important, eg to avoid cutting out in front of someone or cutting off a cyclist, etc.

brian076

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

I was also taught to check my blinspot when exiting a roundabout from the inside lane. You're basically changing lanes during this maneuver anyways.

But what would happen if a car ahead of you hit the brakes while you're checking your blindspot or a pedestrian stepped off the kerb. You really shouldn't be looking anywhere but ahead of you when the car is moving.

In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to check your blindspot on a R/A but you'd need to be certain that there was nothing ahead of you.

If you're taking effective observation and using your mirrors properly as you enter and exit the R/A, in most cases you shouldn't need to check your blindspot, but a mistake which a lot of people make is that when taking the 3rd or right exit on the R/A, they keep to the right too long, which then results in them veering to the left when leaving the R/A.

Once you've passed the exit before the one you're taking, you should check your mirrors, signal left, then gradually move to the left, without any need to look over your left shoulder.

AllGunsBlazing

brian076 wrote: »

But what would happen if a car ahead of you hit the brakes while you're checking your blindspot or a pedestrian stepped off the kerb. You really shouldn't be looking anywhere but ahead of you when the car is moving.

What about the car following behind whose lane I'm about to cross into as I leave the roundabout via the inside lane, or the car that possibly entered the roundabout via the exit I've just passed without my seeing it?

Observation means covering all angles not just whats in front of you and its called a blind spot for a reason, a quick glance is all thats needed to avoid a potential collision.

And of course maintaining a safe distance from any vehicle in front will allow that split second glance if its required.

Changing lanes without checking a blindspot (even on a roundabout) will incur a grade 2 fault.

brian076

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

Changing lanes without checking a blindspot (even on a roundabout) will incur a grade 2 fault.

Absolutely not, in most cases when checking your left mirror before leaving the R/A your peripheral vision will alert you to anyone on your left.

When changing lane either on a dual carriageway or if you're moving into a lane to turn left or right you do not have to check your blindspot, because if you'd been checking your mirrors properly beforehand you'd know if there was anyone to your left or right.

It is not an automatic Grade 2 if you don't check your blindspot before changing lane, but it could be a Grade 3 if you change lane without taking proper observation.

A lot of people have failed their driving test for checking blindspots while on the move and got done for Reaction to Hazard for missing something ahead of them

Alanstrainor

I just thought i'd stick my oar in. But i'd have to agree with Brian on this one, i wouldn't check my inside blind spot when exiting a roundabout under normal circumstances. As said, ultimately the *most* important thing is what is infront of you in that situation. Taking your eyes completely off the road to check over your shoulder seems like a dangerous step to take*(Do feel free to argue the opposite as this is just my thinking behind the situation).

Now, say for example i'm taking the third exit on a two lane roundabout. I start off in the outside (right hand lane). In an ideal world anyone immediately on my left will be taking the first or second exit. And anyone who enters the roundabout while i'm on it would have to give way to me as i'm on the roundabout. Am i correct in that thinking?

AllGunsBlazing

lol5605 wrote: »

have my test on tuesday, failed a while back with 9 grade 2's, since then I havent had a lesson because i just dont have the money, im grand on every thing its just the observation, is the following all i need or is there any im missing?

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing
-2 wings mirrors and rear view after been stoped in traffic
-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

Best of luck with the test btw:)

But I think you might be taking a risk by going into a test without having a refresher lesson. Trying to explain here can be tricky and unintentionally misleading because there are so many different scenarios.

One thing is for sure, testers are absolute sticklers on mirrors/observation and they will nail any little forgetful slip on the drivers part.

AllGunsBlazing

Alanstrainor wrote: »

In an ideal world anyone immediately on my left will be taking the first or second exit. And anyone who enters the roundabout while i'm on it would have to give way to me as i'm on the roundabout. Am i correct in that thinking?

That doesn't mean that they will. In this scenario you have to demonstrate to the tester that you are completely certain that you will not be cutting across any vehicle in the lane you are about to move into.

Just because you follow the rules of the road doesn't mean other drivers will and just because you can't see it in the rear or side mirror doesn't mean it's not there.

loobylou

When I lived in Australia it was taught to check the blind spot when leaving a roundabout. I don't think it's accepted practice here, rightly in my opinion.
Firstly, there should not be anyone there, unless they are overtaking you on the inside (illegal) and on a junction (illegal).
Even if they were, effective observation from your left wing mirror would allow you to see them. As the roundabout is (almost by definition) curved, there would not be enough space between left mirror view and peripheral vision to "hide" a car.
Therefore I would not look over my shoulder as a matter of routine when exiting a roundabout.
Interesting discussion though, I will be very interested to hear any other views, after all, learning never ceases.

Novella

lol5605 wrote: »

have my test on tuesday, failed a while back with 9 grade 2's, since then I havent had a lesson because i just dont have the money, im grand on every thing its just the observation, is the following all i need or is there any im missing?

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing
-2 wings mirrors and rear view after been stoped in traffic
-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

I passed my test at the end of February and I must have looked in all of my mirrors a hundred thousand times during it!

Basically, you need to CONSTANTLY look in your rear view mirror, even when you're just driving on the straight so that you are aware of what other road users behind you are doing. Make sure he / she sees that you are looking aswell.

MSM (mirror, signal, manoeuvre) is really important. Before you do anything, (change lanes, take a turn, move off from traffic lights etc) you need to check your mirrors. If you are taking a left turn for example, check your left mirror, indiacte. I would also check my rear veiw mirror. It is no harm to check both wing mirrors and your rear view in between but when turning left, check left mirror first. When turning right, check right first.

For the reverse around the corner, observation is crucial. Don't just concentrate on the left wing mirror and the kerb because you will fail for that. Make sure you look down the road you are reversing into before you begin the reverse to check for on-coming traffic. Check your blind spot also (as in over your right shoulder, out the window behind the drivers seat. During the reverse, you can use your mirrors but you also need to glance down the road to check for cars, people crossing or whatever. If a car drives up the road you are reversing into, stop. They have right of way here.

For the turnabout, mirrors, back window and blindspot also. Look around you while completing the turn so that the tester knows that you are aware of what traffic is around you etc and look in mirrors so that you don't hit any kerbs etc.

On roundabouts you need to check mirrors too. Always remember to do so before you indicate. Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. Keep that in mind and let us know how you get on. Best of luck!

Novella

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

I was also taught to check my blinspot when exiting a roundabout from the inside lane. You're basically changing lanes during this maneuver anyways.

But certainly no need for it if you are leaving the roundabout via the first or second exit then its the usual mirror signal procedure as you should be in the outside lane the whole time.

A roundabout with two lanes....

The first exit is usually to your left, the second straight ahead. For both of these you use the outside lane, as in the one on the left. You indicate left from the onset if taking the first exit and indicate left after you have passed the first exit if taking the second.

You should only be in the inside lane if taking any exits that are passed twelve o'clock! (Think of it as a clock, the straight ahead exit being 12, the next is usually a three o'clock exit, as in a right turn). For this you approach in the right hand lane, indicate right, stay in the inside lane until you pass the twelve o'clock exit and then indicate left at which point you would check a left wing mirror (BEFORE INDICATING!), check rear view and move into the left lane. So you never exit a roundabout from the inside lane....

So therefore, there is no need to check your blindspot on a roundabout. That is just dangerous.

http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/roundabouts.html

Refer to that, if confused.

SteQ

As you can see lol there is plenty of advice and everyone has a view on how to go about things best thing you could have done even if you could not afford it is find your local ADI (approved driving instructor) and book a lesson or 2 otherwise it is chancing it, if you fail you are now having to find €75 for the next, having said that best of luck with it, should you not be successful Find an ADI.:)

lol5605 wrote: »

have my test on tuesday, failed a while back with 9 grade 2's, since then I havent had a lesson because i just dont have the money, im grand on every thing its just the observation, is the following all i need or is there any im missing?

-look at the rear view mirror when indicating, brakeing
-2 wings mirrors and rear view after been stoped in traffic
-while turning left/right look in the oppisate direction while turning

am i missing any?
thanks

Alanstrainor

Novella wrote: »

Basically, you need to CONSTANTLY look in your rear view mirror, even when you're just driving on the straight so that you are aware of what other road users behind you are doing. Make sure he / she sees that you are looking aswell.

Yes you should check your mirrors regularly, but it is a common mistake to "constantly" check your centre mirrors. It results in you paying more attention to your mirrors and not the road. Ultimately your first priority is paying attention to the road infront, anything after that comes second.
Just to note the procedure when turning should be: Mirror, signal, Mirror, Manoeuvre. Checking your mirror is essential the second time as it is ultimately the last check you make before making your turn. Cyclists etc can "come out of no where" so to speak, so it is essential you check your mirror again before turning.

lol5605

thanks for all the replys, looks like im getting a pre test on the day my car broke today and i wont have it till next week sometime.. so have to use his car too... hope i get used to it in that time hehe

Alanstrainor

lol5605 wrote: »

thanks for all the replys, looks like im getting a pre test on the day my car broke today and i wont have it till next week sometime.. so have to use his car too... hope i get used to it in that time hehe

Best of luck with everything, i know the thread is going back and forth a bit, but as with most things in life, the rules of the road are rarely black and white. At least you'll see peoples views on it and with instruction from your instructor, you can make your own decision on it.

lol5605

So I passed in the end, had to get the bus to the center got it got delayed so dinit get a pre test, met my driving instrucor outside 10 minnutes before it, the fist time i had ever drove the car was the test..lol managed to pass it with 3 grade 2's, i just turned my head 180 degreese any chance i could get, worked good for me, dinit get one grade for observations, im delighted thanks to all that replyed with help!

Permabear

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SteQ

Well Done loll.

Novella

CONGRATULATIONS!

Now it's your turn to give advice!!