Weather Conditions and Driving Tests: January 2010

Permabear

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macinson

I had a driving test booked for January 5th. But on the morning was told that it was canceled. And after a day of cleaning and servicing the car I wasn't to happy. I know its not there fault, and that they were right to cancel it, and that its effected people all around the country. But I was wondering how do they go about re-scheduling all these canceled tests over the past few days? or we priority ahead of the rest or is it just like having to book your test for the first time again, and wait 10wekks or so?

Thanks; Jack

chris85

macinson wrote: »

I had a driving test booked for January 5th. But on the morning was told that it was canceled. And after a day of cleaning and servicing the car I wasn't to happy. I know its not there fault, and that they were right to cancel it, and that its effected people all around the country. But I was wondering how do they go about re-scheduling all these canceled tests over the past few days? or we priority ahead of the rest or is it just like having to book your test for the first time again, and wait 10wekks or so?

Thanks; Jack

I am sure will get first spot available. They will do their best to sort it. Would be a nightmare to do a test in this weather.

jhegarty

RTE are reporting:

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has said that driving tests for today and tomorrow have been cancelled.

brian076

macinson wrote: »

I had a driving test booked for January 5th. But on the morning was told that it was canceled. And after a day of cleaning and servicing the car I wasn't to happy. I know its not there fault, and that they were right to cancel it, and that its effected people all around the country. But I was wondering how do they go about re-scheduling all these canceled tests over the past few days? or we priority ahead of the rest or is it just like having to book your test for the first time again, and wait 10wekks or so?

Thanks; Jack

They'll give priority to anyone who's had a test cancelled and you won't go back to the end of the list.

Permabear

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gavvvvers

:cool:

I have my test on the 22nd in Rathgar

Ya think the weather will be ok?

and like does the 10 day cancelation rule still apply given the weather?
:pac:

btw.....


anyone any advice for Rathgar??

Failed Churchtown few months back....but yeah hopping this will work out

TIPS PLEASE


Thanks a mill

Permabear

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lipo starter

macinson wrote: »

I had a driving test booked for January 5th. But on the morning was told that it was canceled. And after a day of cleaning and servicing the car I wasn't to happy. I know its not there fault, and that they were right to cancel it, and that its effected people all around the country. But I was wondering how do they go about re-scheduling all these canceled tests over the past few days? or we priority ahead of the rest or is it just like having to book your test for the first time again, and wait 10wekks or so?

Thanks; Jack

My test was for the 6th Jan, I didn't even get told it wasn't going ahead, I waited until an hour before it was due, then the website was updated, saying the tests were cancelled. (I knew already it wasn't going to go ahead but they didn't bother to notify me) so I rang to check with them. You were lucky you got notified about it. I rang the testing place, they said that I wouldn't be waiting the same length of time as when I originally applied. I don't know yet when it will be, they will post it out. Because there is going to be a backlog due to all the cancelled tests, it will probably be another few weeks at least.

GTE

I hope Im putting this question in the right place:

If my test next week does go ahead and during it I encounter some ice and my ABS and what not kicks in, will I be marked down if I have a problem dealing with it?
Im worried that if there is a patch of ice and I dont handle it by the book I may get marked down on it.

brian076

bbk wrote: »

I hope Im putting this question in the right place:

If my test next week does go ahead and during it I encounter some ice and my ABS and what not kicks in, will I be marked down if I have a problem dealing with it?
Im worried that if there is a patch of ice and I dont handle it by the book I may get marked down on it.

If there's even the slightest chance of ice on the test route you won't be brought out, and all routes will be driven by the testers to make sure that they're fully clear of snow and ice.
The chances of any tests being conducted next week are very slim at the moment.

annatar91

i hav my test on monday morning ! does any1 think it will go ahead

Alanstrainor

annatar91 wrote: »

i hav my test on monday morning ! does any1 think it will go ahead

I very much doubt it seeing the forecast for sunday night.

brian076

annatar91 wrote: »

i hav my test on monday morning ! does any1 think it will go ahead

Based on current weather forecasts, it appears unlikely that there will be any driving tests conducted in most parts of the country before the middle of the week after next, ie about 19/20th.
The problem is, that as most tests are conducted in housing estates and secondary roads, these will be the last to become ice free.
The RSA have sent a text to all ADI's this evening, promising that extra tests will be conducted once the weather gets back to normal, although I'm not sure where they'll get the staff to this.

sink

Test was scheduled for Monday 0915 Raheny and is now cancelled. However my driving lessons on Sunday are still going ahead. <SNIP> won't allow me to postpone or reschedule my lessons and won't allow me to cancel without forfeiting the fees. Very annoying and possibly dangerous. I'm very unhappy with this.

Cupcake Girl

My test is on Jan 20th and I think the snow will be clear by then . however ive not been able to practice much in the past 3 weeks. Im also now soon within the 10 days cancellation period but want to drive once the snow thaws to re-assess it. Will the rsa still charge a late cancellation fee if i say cancel on jan 15th?>

brian076

sink wrote: »

Test was scheduled for Monday 0915 Raheny and is now cancelled. However my driving lessons on Sunday are still going ahead. <SNIP> won't allow me to postpone or reschedule my lessons and won't allow me to cancel without forfeiting the fees. Very annoying and possibly dangerous. I'm very unhappy with this.

That's absolutely scandalous and you should report them to the RSA. It's totally unsafe to take learners out in these conditions even if they're at test standard.

I know the rules of this thread prohibit you from commenting on specific driving schools/instructors, so I expect one of the Mods will Snip their name from your post, but you're not the first person to have problems with this company, I really don't know how they get away with it.

If I was you I'd call them and tell them you're reporting them to the RSA unless they re-schedule your lesson without forfeiting your fees.

Alanstrainor

brian076 wrote: »

That's absolutely scandalous and you should report them to the RSA. It's totally unsafe to take learners out in these conditions even if they're at test standard.

I know the rules of this thread prohibit you from commenting on specific driving schools/instructors, so I expect one of the Mods will Snip their name from your post, but you're not the first person to have problems with this company, I really don't know how they get away with it.

If I was you I'd call them and tell them you're reporting them to the RSA unless they re-schedule your lesson without forfeiting your fees.

Thanks Brian, you can use the report function to draw attention to anything that you feel needs to be looked at.
And +1 to all the above, it is crazy, people shouldn't be driving unless absolutely necessary, and even then, extreme caution is needed. These are not conditions learner drivers should be out in. A dual controlled car will not help the situation in any way.

gavvvvers

Cupcake Girl wrote: »

My test is on Jan 20th and I think the snow will be clear by then . however ive not been able to practice much in the past 3 weeks. Im also now soon within the 10 days cancellation period but want to drive once the snow thaws to re-assess it. Will the rsa still charge a late cancellation fee if i say cancel on jan 15th?>

I am in the same boat as u in Rathgar!!:mad:mine is the 22nd tho !!!

I dunnno whether to cancel it before the 10 day thing to allow definite time to practice or to just leave it and hope it clears up allowing me to practice and do the test on the 22nd !!!

Its a bit unfortunate the whole ice/snow but fingers crossed it will clear up soon.I have already postponed my pre-test cause clearly it wont be much use.


Anyone have any advice on what would be the best plan of action for me and "Cupcake Girl"


Thanks :(:(

J_R

sink wrote: »

Test was scheduled for Monday 0915 Raheny and is now cancelled. However my driving lessons on Sunday are still going ahead. <SNIP> won't allow me to postpone or reschedule my lessons and won't allow me to cancel without forfeiting the fees. Very annoying and possibly dangerous. I'm very unhappy with this.

Hi,

Ask your instructor has he taken out extra insurance cover, known as "professional indemnity". If he has not then his ordinary insurance policy will not cover him if you have an accident.

Reason. He has been professionally incompetent by taking a pupil out in dangerous conditions and insurance in this case would be null and void.

Report him and his company. If you know anybody in the media give them a call, would make a terrific story.

brian076

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

Ask your instructor has he taken out extra insurance cover, known as "professional indemnity". If he has not then his ordinary insurance policy will not cover him if you have an accident.

Reason. He has been professionally incompetent by taking a pupil out in dangerous conditions and insurance in this case would be null and void.

Report him and his company. If you know anybody in the media give them a call, would make a terrific story.

The driving school concerned would almost certainly have indemnity insurance as they're quite well established in the Dublin area.

I actually wouldn't necessarily blame the instructor as I'm sure he's under pressure from the company owners to carry out lessons. Believe it or not but I had a pupil who was previously charged €110 for a 2 hour lesson with this outfit.

I really don't understand how they get the business, unless people just don't shop around.

ro2

sink wrote: »

Test was scheduled for Monday 0915 Raheny and is now cancelled. However my driving lessons on Sunday are still going ahead. <SNIP> won't allow me to postpone or reschedule my lessons and won't allow me to cancel without forfeiting the fees. Very annoying and possibly dangerous. I'm very unhappy with this.

I had a driving lesson with the same company this morning too. I looked outside and there was about 2 inches of snow and it was still coming down. I phoned up the office and they said all lessons were still going ahead!

I had booked to do the lesson in my own car, but when the instructor turned up I said we were using their car today. He eventually agreed and we skidded off. The conditions on the side roads around Raheny were very poor. You couldn't see the road markings at all on a lot of them.

I've always found the instructors with the company in question to be very good. However the policies of the company itself are extremely unprofessional.

I'm in the same boat as yourself, waiting for the test. If I was a beginner and I was brought out in that weather I would never use them again.

On the plus side, I did find doing a lesson in the snow to be valuable and got some good experience sliding on black ice if I ever need it in the future.

emZie

My test is tomorrow in Rathgar at 2pm. Checked drivingtest.ie, still no info..
Has anyone who is doing their test in Rathgar tomorrow got a cancellation? Anyone been driving in Rathgar over the last few days who could tell me how the roads are?

Permabear

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brian076

emZie wrote: »

My test is tomorrow in Rathgar at 2pm. Checked drivingtest.ie, still no info..
Has anyone who is doing their test in Rathgar tomorrow got a cancellation? Anyone been driving in Rathgar over the last few days who could tell me how the roads are?

Just back from Rathgar, my mother lives close to the test centre, the main roads are ok, mainly just wet, but housing estates are still very icy, so the chance of your test being conducted is very slim.

ro2

Drivingtest site has been updated. Most tests tomorrow are off.

http://www.drivingtest.ie/drivingtest/

dublingurl***

hi,

i have my test on tuesday in raheny, and so far the morning tests are cancelled and the rest are under review..

i haven't been able to practice in this weather and i have a car and have been driving 8 months but i wanted to do a good few pre tests and maybe a few driving lessons cause i picked up a few bad habbits and wanted dem before hand but my driving instructor could hardly bring me out in the snow and ice.

the weather for tuesday is suppose to be wind and rain.. and if the ice and snow is cleared up do u tink they will make the test go ahead..?? im terrified of failing

and can any one give me tips on what to learn for the questions they ask please.!! like what kind of questions and so on!

thank u!!

Permabear

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dublingurl***

awh tanks a mill!! that thread is very helpful!! very much appreciated!! i really thought the weather would last longer..!! it's just my luck!!

**Timbuk2**

I'm in Dundalk and all the snow and ice is gone, and is replaced by wind and rain [eugh!]. I don't see why tests aren't being conducted.

Permabear

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dublingurl***

i can't believe that dundalk is open!!.. raheny tomorrow and this afternoon is still under review...!! I wanted to be welll prepared for my test..but no driving instructor would take me in that weather and now my test is tomorrow and i could only manage to get a pretest for today...and i havent been driving in a few weeks..!!

does any one know if the test examiner will take this into account and if it will be marked slightly easier?? cause at the moment my estate is full with ice.. and i know it is going to be so tricky doing 3 point turns and so on..!! :(:(:(:(

emZie

dublingurl*** wrote: »

does any one know if the test examiner will take this into account and if it will be marked slightly easier?? cause at the moment my estate is full with ice.. and i know it is going to be so tricky doing 3 point turns and so on..!! :(:(:(:(

I cannot see them marking any easier than usual. It wouldn't be right or fair. You're supposed to be a confident and good driver when you do your test and a couple weeks should not have too much effect on that. The more you panic that worse you'll make it for yourself. Why not try find an estate which has cleared up to practice in?

Permabear

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thomasjad

Had my test cancelled today in finglas for the bad weather conditions(even though it was fine when I was driving around the area)..anyone have any idea how long it would take for my new date?