Booking the driving test

jc2008

I am a 17yo male on my first learner permit. As a result of the six-month mandatory wait, I am unable to take my test until the 20th of January, 2010. However, I was thinking about booking my test early so as I could choose as a date that suited me, as near to the 20th of January as possible.

However, I assumed that if I booked it well in advance, it would give me an option to choose a date (as I would be choosing a date after the 14 week wait, which is the waiting time listed for my testing centre [Dundalk]), like the Theory Test Booking system. However, while booking it online it gives no option to take the test on a day that suits you.

I don't want to book it at the moment if you can't choose a date because my test date may get chosen before my six months are up, or it might pick a time and date that is unsuitable for me (e.g. while I am in school).

1. Is there any way of choosing a date and time that you would like to take the driving test on?
2. I have no insurance, as all I'm planning to do in the run up to the test is lessons. Can I use the instructor's car in the test? Will I be insured to drive this, even if the instructor is not present in the car at the time?

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for taking the time to answer.

DriveSkill

jc2008 wrote: »

1. Is there any way of choosing a date and time that you would like to take the driving test on?

Short answer is no, not at the moment and probably not for a while yet. All you can do is specify dates which are not suitable for you (i.e. if you were going on holidays etc). For the 6-month waiting period you can apply now and specify that you cannot take a date before 20th Jan 2010 but after that it's pot-luck as to which date you get.

jc2008 wrote: »

1. I have no insurance, as all I'm planning to do in the run up to the test is lessons. Can I use the instructor's car in the test? Will I be insured to drive this, even if the instructor is not present in the car at the time?

Using the instructors car is quite common for the test. In general you will need to have done a few lessons with them beforehand (very few willing to just hand over the car to a stanger). The cost varies per instructor and sometimes there are deals such as 'do 10 lessons and free use of the car for the test' etc. The instructor will have insurance to cover you while doing lessons and during the driving test.

Final note, be sure to use an ADI when choosing an instructor - its illegal for anyone else to be operating as a driving instructor.

not14talk

Just wondering how did you the wait in Dundalk was 14 weeks as it says 10 weeks on drivingtest.ie?

Like you are right as I got an email off them saying it was infact 14 weeks and not 10 like sated on the website.

The test should only take 30mins so I would miss a few hours of school to do your test like a few of my mates did there test while they where meant to be at School like a few of them went off to the 'Doctor/Dentist' :rolleyes: and came back looking very happy after they had pasted their test.

Richie15

You could ring up the center and ask them to fit you in, but it's still a matter of luck. I don't know if you'll get one outside of school times though, sure they don't open weekends do they? Maybe the mid-term if they can help you out.

DriveSkill, that rule about the ADI's, when did that come in? I thought registration was still optional for the moment. Does it also apply to truck/bus instructors?

DriveSkill

Richie15 wrote: »

DriveSkill, that rule about the ADI's, when did that come in? I thought registration was still optional for the moment. Does it also apply to truck/bus instructors?

Well the ADI process has been going on for a couple of years now, the original deadline was Jan 2009 but after a number of extensions the final date ended up being July 31st 2009 - its been in force since then. Every instructor must have completed the 3 stage process before operating as a driving instructor and it applies for all categories of licence - motorbikes, cars, trucks and buses! Full details are on www.drivertesting.info

RSA ADI MARK

hi richie15 ,all instructors no matter what category must have done all 3 exams and be registered to teach for reward ,offical legislation came in 01/08/2009

Richie15

Ahh thanks, some reason I took it for granted it was only car instructors. I'll be looking for a truck instructor soon so good to know they've to be approved too.