Driving Test - Westside, Galway

cr0bar

So I've my driving test tomorrow morning at 11:05, and I'm pretty much sorted for it. Anybody know any sort of tricks the testers might pull?

Alanstrainor

Moved to learning to drive.

cr0bar

In my enthusiasm I posted it in the wrong place

Alanstrainor

There's no "tricks" the tester will pull. I'd just try and keep calm and take everything as it comes. If you make a mistake, just forget about it and move on, don't throw in the towel, it's not over until it's over. Best of luck

cr0bar

Alanstrainor wrote: »

There's no "tricks" the tester will pull. I'd just try and keep calm and take everything as it comes. If you make a mistake, just forget about it and move on, don't throw in the towel, it's not over until it's over. Best of luck

Yep. Also been reading through the "unsuccessful" thread to see where to avoid mistakes.

I'll be sitting this in my brother's car, I'm insured etc for it and all the relevant documents are in the car, is this sufficient?

I haven't had a formal driving lesson since June or so, been driving with my father in the passenger seat instructing me.

One question about the turnabouts - is it necessary to use the handbrake when changing from first to reverse even if it's totally flat? I've been using the handbrake anyway.

LadyMayBelle

Ha, mine's there at 10:05!! I'll more than likely be the one driving in gutted I failed at 11:) Good luck!

Had a few intense lessons during the week and what I was told was similar to what has been advised; if you make a mistake, get over it quick and don't keep thinking about it...

cr0bar

At this stage now I'm just going to give it my best and not be overly cautious. If I pass then I'll be pleased, if not then there's room for improvement.

Best of luck for yours tomorrow!

**Timbuk2**

Best of luck to both of you!

LadyMayBelle

Cheers and best of luck! Went out there for a spin and couldn't even manage a reverse around a corner once when i have been doing it all week fine. Gutted.
What will be will be

cr0bar

I was out being the chauffeur to Tesco earlier after it got dark, noticed a slight juddering on the left side around 40km/h, thought it was great timing. I stopped and had a look but there didn't seem to be anything amiss, and it went away afterwards. Probably was just something stuck on the tyre as it was constant.

I think I'll get the engine good and warm by driving for a half hour at least before the test to avoid any roughness.

LadyMayBelle

Good thinking. Have you been advised your test might be town-direction because of the time, can I ask? Been driving around Claddagh/Dominic Steet which will be a bit*h during loading hours...

cr0bar

Not been advised of anything from the RSA, just the time of the test and the location. Not that fussed about heavy traffic as been doing a lot of driving in rush hour after lectures.. at least nobody will be dropping off their kids after 10, now that's hellish. Late morning really from 10-11:30 can be the best time of the day in places.

Got stopped at a checkpoint along Merchant's Road about half an hour ago doing some night driving, they were just checking tax and insurance though.

shreksaurus

Hi Crobar and Ladypennyworth,
How did you two get on with your driving tests? I hope it went well.

I had 3 driving tests from Westside, Galway within the past few months. Failed all 3 of them. I put so much work and effort into learning to drive getting plenty of driving lessons. My 1st driving test I was so nervous for it and I was expecting to fail. The second went ok but still failed. The third I wasn't nervous until the last 5 to 10 mins where I picked up the majority of the faults and it was enough to fail. My driving instructor was saying its because i'm not getting any practice in between lessons. I dont know what to do really. I dont have anyone to help me learning to drive. If I was to get a car I cant drive on my own and dont have anyone that would be willing to sit in with me. And lessons are just not enough (and I have had loads). So its definately isn't easy.

Reloc8

shreksaurus wrote: »

Hi Crobar and Ladypennyworth,
How did you two get on with your driving tests? I hope it went well.

I had 3 driving tests from Westside, Galway within the past few months. Failed all 3 of them. I put so much work and effort into learning to drive getting plenty of driving lessons. My 1st driving test I was so nervous for it and I was expecting to fail. The second went ok but still failed. The third I wasn't nervous until the last 5 to 10 mins where I picked up the majority of the faults and it was enough to fail. My driving instructor was saying its because i'm not getting any practice in between lessons. I dont know what to do really. I dont have anyone to help me learning to drive. If I was to get a car I cant drive on my own and dont have anyone that would be willing to sit in with me. And lessons are just not enough (and I have had loads). So its definately isn't easy.

That's really rough - I have huge sympathy for you.

I wonder if you should consider saving up (unless money is no object) for something like 5 or 6 two hour lessons (even more) in a row or every second day, to be taken in the 10 days/2 week run up to your next test. You probably have all the basic skills but just need to ram them home, and get some concentrated experience by way of lots of accompanied driving in the run up to the test.

LadyMayBelle

I really do know what your talking about. I had taken a few lessons years ago when I was 17 but wasn't practicing in between. 10 years later, I took people's advice and bought a car. 3k covered the car/insurance/tax. And I got out in it every single chance I got. I'll PM you because I obviously can't advise the way I did that because it was illegal but nonetheless I did it.

I'll also PM you the details of my instructor who was Fantastic.