Minibus lessons?

Elessar

Can anyone tell me what driving schools offer minibus lessons in Dublin?

Only one I can find is the Irish School of Motoring?

Wishbone Ash

Elessar wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what driving schools offer minibus lessons in Dublin?

Only one I can find is the Irish School of Motoring?

If you are willing to go for the category D instead (large bus) you'll find more schools doing it.

(You can go straight from a category B licence to a category D and if you pass, you'll automatically get a D1 (minibus) and 'kill 2 birds with one stone'.)

Faith+1

Elessar wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what driving schools offer minibus lessons in Dublin?
Only one I can find is the Irish School of Motoring?

Elessar we can't post recommendations on an open forum. Post here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055529095

And someone will pm you a driving school that teaches minibuses!:)

Alanstrainor

Since minibus/cat D lessons aren't as widely available, i'm quite happy to leave this as a separate thread. Just keep recommendations to PM please:)

Faith+1

Okay I had a look around and couldn't see anyone in the Dublin area that teaches D1 other than the forementioned ISM.
However if you check here on the RSA website http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Safe-Driving/Find-an-instructor/

You can check all ADI instructors who teach D and ask them if they teach D1. I agree with Wishbone Ash, you'd be better off going for D rather than D1. As he said "Kill two birds with one stone!":)

Richie15

Faith+1 wrote: »

You'd be better off going for D rather than D1. As [Wishbone Ash] said "Kill two birds with one stone!"

This is definitely true of C/C1, because there's very little difference, but there's more difference between a Bus and a Minibus. Besides the number of passengers, there's the size - usually a Bus is the size of a Cat. C Truck, whereas a Minibus is just a Cat. B Van with a few extra seats. Someone's doctor may not deem them fit to drive such a large vehicle, or they might have experience driving a van and need fewer lessons than would be necessary in a larger vehicle.

Not necessarily assuming this is the case, just pointing out that there are reasons for not going straight for D. I would say go for it if you can though.

Elessar, FAS runs a minibus course. As far as I remember it's €420 for 10 hours' lessons, or free if you're on Social Welfare. Don't know which driving school they use.
Not sure if I'm allowed recommend them. Think I can, since it's not a school/instructor, but obviously feel free to correct me on that, mods.

Elessar

Thanks all for the input. You're all right regarding getting the D instead except the lessons are much more expensive. That I won't ever be driving coaches. I need the D1 and C1 in order to apply to the ambulance service the next time they are recruiting. Don't need CPC either. So really I decided to stick to just minibus.

I'm already on a waiting list for FAS lessons for the C licence (its a big waiting list!) and I'll be going to the social welfare jobs facilitator this week to see if she will give me some money towards minibus lessons.

I've already booked a lesson for this thursday with ISM. Wish me luck.

Faith+1

Elessar wrote: »

I'm already on a waiting list for FAS lessons for the C licence (its a big waiting list!) and I'll be going to the social welfare jobs facilitator this week to see if she will give me some money towards minibus lessons.

A friend of mine did Rigid lessons through FAS and told me they were useless. I can't name the school (rules) but he quit after 2 lessons and told them what he really thought thought of them. Said the instructor was a complete muppet, always talking Sh**e, saying how he flys planes, kept saying that he was the man and he was an ADI certified instructor.

My friend said they were driving at the back of ballymun and the Instuctor rolled down the window and roared over to some chap he knew, calling him a Homo?? He knew there and then this guy was a complete tool so he asked the office could he have a different instuctor. He was told he was on the FAS scheme so he's lucky to be even on the course and said he was stuck with his assigned instructor.

So at the moment he's taking private lessons at his own expense. He's pis**ed that it worked out this way but has no option. He want's his C license and knew he wouldn't get it with these clowns.

Be warned is all I say.:mad:

Richie15

Faith+1 wrote: »

A friend of mine did Rigid lessons through FAS and told me they were useless. I can't name the school (rules) but he quit after 2 lessons and told them what he really thought thought of them. Said the instructor was a complete muppet, always talking Sh**e, saying how he flys planes, kept saying that he was the man and he was an ADI certified instructor.

My friend said they were driving at the back of ballymun and the Instuctor rolled down the window and roared over to some chap he knew, calling him a Homo?? He knew there and then this guy was a complete tool so he asked the office could he have a different instuctor. He was told he was on the FAS scheme so he's lucky to be even on the course and said he was stuck with his assigned instructor.

I know the fella you're talking about. He's a bit of a character alright, they all are, but nice guys and they know their stuff! Where you say "tool" I'd say "friendly banter". These fellas are just there to do a job, and humour helps get through the tedium of watching learner after learner make the same mistakes.

I am surprised your friend couldn't be reassigned though. Must've been because of how he dealt with it, i.e. going straight to the office. If he'd been straight with the guy, said we're not getting along and I think it'd be best if I swap instructors, I'm sure he'd be fine with that - one of the fellas on my course did it.

The one problem I did have with the course was that it doesn't cover CPC. Even though I had the theory tests done before the course, and offered to pay the €32 balance, and ticked the CPC box on the course, I still only got the regular C test. Even if I'd passed, I'd still have to the CPC one anyway!