Couple Of Questions - Sorry it's long

robobobo

Right some of you may have read my previous thread from when before I sat my test for the first time in Rathgar, I'm afraid I was unsuccessful because I got a straight grade 3 for hesitation at lights,

I immediately re applied and called and emailed and everything to get as soon a date as I could as I needed it before my insurance ran out. So I finally managed to get a cancellation date today, 11th August, less than 3 weeks after I re applied! and 3 days before my insurance runs out so I have to pass this time!

Only thing is I have the same examiner (who wasn't exactly the friendliest person to be honest) but I'm going to do my best not to let that affect me.

So I have a couple of questions from my previous test on what I was asked in theory and a couple of other little bits

One of the theory questions was
"On a 3 lane motorway, what are the 3 lanes for?"
I kinda went, "huh" on this one, surely it's just for driving and overtaking right?
Or was it a trick question and one of those lanes is the hard shoulder?

Another was,
"How often should I check tyre pressure, and what do you check tyre thread depth with?
I said every month and check depth with a tyre gauge (is there a proper name for this?)

My other questions are related to on the road.

I got several marks against me for road position when turning left (none for turning right) Is this not as simple as being slightly left on your normal driving position?

And another one I got stung on big time was observation (not a single mark against me for mirrors though) and again it was when I was turning left.... what else can I observe apart from mirrors and the road ahead? Quick shoulder check needed?

And I got asked an additional hand signal for gardas, i got the left, right and straight ahead, but then he asked me another one, which I cant remember, I looked up the hand signals to give garda and there was only 3, anyone know a 4th?

And finally, when coming up to traffic lights and turning right, if there's no filter light, or if it's not lit, isn't it ok to move up into the junction and wait for a gap in the traffic. How far should you move up? Say if there's a yellow box, are you allowed into that? Or is that only if there's a turning box in it?

I know there's a lot there guys, but I really need to pass this time!

Thanks

**Timbuk2**

robobobo wrote: »

Only thing is I have the same examiner (who wasn't exactly the friendliest person to be honest) but I'm going to do my best not to let that affect me.

How do you know that you have the same tester?

robobobo wrote: »

"On a 3 lane motorway, what are the 3 lanes for?"

Lane 1 (the left lane) is the driving lane, and lane 2 and 3 are the overtaking lanes - you use lane 3 to overtake traffic in lane 2, and lane 2 to overtake traffic in lane 1 - remember to never overtake on the left!

robobobo wrote: »

I got several marks against me for road position when turning left (none for turning right) Is this not as simple as being slightly left on your normal driving position?

This could be not keeping tight to the kerb as you turn left. Slow right down and keep tight to the kerb - do not swing out into the middle of the road.

robobobo wrote: »

And another one I got stung on big time was observation (not a single mark against me for mirrors though) and again it was when I was turning left.... what else can I observe apart from mirrors and the road ahead? Quick shoulder check needed?

On approach to a left turn, check in your mirrors and signal. Slow down, select the gear, and check your mirrors again before you turn. Before you actually start turning, you should look into the road to make sure traffic is not at a halt on the road.
You don't need to do a shoulder check unless there is a separate left turning lane, in which case a brief shoulder check is important to check for cars that may have cut across the hatch markings into that lane early.

robobobo wrote: »

And finally, when coming up to traffic lights and turning right, if there's no filter light, or if it's not lit, isn't it ok to move up into the junction and wait for a gap in the traffic. How far should you move up? Say if there's a yellow box, are you allowed into that? Or is that only if there's a turning box in it?

Yes - you are correct, you should move into the junction provided there are no red lights against you, and that the green light is a circle, not a straight-on arrow. You should move up right to the point of turn, which is usually the front of the car beside the centreline of the road you are about to turn in to - this minimises delays when a gap arrives. You may move into a yellow box junction providing you are not blocking traffic with right of way, so in the case of traffic lights you can do it and wait for a gap, as usual.

Hope this helps, I couldn't answer the question about the tyre pressure as I have no idea! I would recommend to take another lesson or two with an instructor, as he/she will be able to see your position and observation faults and fix them - maybe try a different instructor if this is an option for you.

robobobo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

How do you know that you have the same tester?

Because when the RSA called me up and told me I could have the 11th, she said that it would be the same tester

I did have 10 driving lessons leading up to it, and also a pre-test in which my instructor said I should have no problems at all, and when I told him the faults I got he couldn't believe them as I never picked them up before with him....

robbie_998

robobobo wrote: »

Because when the RSA called me up and told me I could have the 11th, she said that it would be the same tester

When i re-applied for my test the woman in charge of Naas said she would make sure i didn't get the same tester.

she kept her word... got to the test center, went to the same chair and desk and it appeared your man was gone and there was a very nice guy who tested me very fairly

MagicMarker

robobobo wrote: »

And another one I got stung on big time was observation (not a single mark against me for mirrors though) and again it was when I was turning left.... what else can I observe apart from mirrors and the road ahead? Quick shoulder check needed?

I suggest you get a new driving instructor! Yes, you always check your blind spot when turning left to ensure there are no cyclists etc passing you on the inside (as stupid as that may be).

cosmic

robobobo wrote: »

And another one I got stung on big time was observation (not a single mark against me for mirrors though) and again it was when I was turning left.... what else can I observe apart from mirrors and the road ahead? Quick shoulder check needed?

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

On approach to a left turn, check in your mirrors and signal. Slow down, select the gear, and check your mirrors again before you turn. Before you actually start turning, you should look into the road to make sure traffic is not at a halt on the road.

You don't need to do a shoulder check unless there is a separate left turning lane, in which case a brief shoulder check is important to check for cars that may have cut across the hatch markings into that lane early

+ 1 for what **Timbuk2** says.

Also, though, always remember to counter-check any time you turn. So if you're turning left, once you're half way through the turn, very quickly check back to your right for any other cars also making the turn from a different direction.

DriveSkill

robobobo wrote: »

And another one I got stung on big time was observation (not a single mark against me for mirrors though) and again it was when I was turning left.... what else can I observe apart from mirrors and the road ahead? Quick shoulder check needed?

One important point is that failure to check your side or wing mirrors will be marked under 'Observation', only faults on the interior mirror will appear under the 'Mirrors' category.

So for turning left it should be :

Internal Mirror + Left Mirror
Signal Left
Position to the left
Adjust speed and Gear as needed (generally 2nd gear)
** Final Look before turning **

The last point is possibly the one where you are picking up the faults, this look should include the left wing mirror and most important a look into the road you are turning into before you start to turn.

The left shoulder check is generally not necessary as you should be aware of any cyclists etc already and adjust your position, speed accordingly. However there are a few occasions where it may be needed, if for example you have lost sight of a cyclist in your mirror for whatever reason, then you need to be 100% where they are and so a blindspot check is required but dont build it into every left turn.

If you are turning left off a main road then I would not be doing any glance to the right, it is unnecessary and is taking your eyes off the more important direction - i.e. where you are driving into. (Obviously different scenario if emerging from a T-Junction and turning left where you will definitely have to look right!)

MascotDec85

As most things seem to have been covered:

Tyre pressure should be checked regularly

Tyre tread depth should never go below 1.6mm and is checked using a thread depth gauge or the tread wear indictor shown below found on all tyres





I'm not aware of a 4th hand signal. There are 3 for those behind you and 3 for those in front of you

Sir Vival

DriveSkill wrote: »

** Final Look before turning **

When you say the above do you mean rear view mirror check or left mirror check or both?

MascotDec85

Sir Vival wrote: »

When you say the above do you mean rear view mirror check or left mirror check or both?

Left mirror just before you turn.

Similarly, right mirror just prior to making a right turn

Sir Vival

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Left mirror just before you turn.

Similarly, right mirror just prior to making a right turn

Thanks alot for the quick response. Just applied for the test and keen to iron a few things out. Am finding the tutorials on drivingtesttips.ie a great help.

One more thing if you dont mind. If going your taking the exit at 12 o clock on a roundabout i.e. straight on, do you need to indicate right as you go around the roundabout or is this just needed for the 3rd and/or 4rth exit?

Thanks

MascotDec85

Sir Vival wrote: »

Thanks alot for the quick response. Just applied for the test and keen to iron a few things out. Am finding the tutorials on drivingtesttips.ie a great help.

One more thing if you dont mind. If going your taking the exit at 12 o clock on a roundabout i.e. straight on, do you need to indicate right as you go around the roundabout or is this just needed for the 3rd and/or 4rth exit?

Thanks

You should indicate right and be in the right lane (unless there's roadworks or are directed by the Gardai) whenever you are leaving any exit AFTER 12 o'clock.

Remember to signal left just after you pass the exit prior to the one you are taking. Look in your left mirror BEFORE you signal left and again when you have exited the roundabout as you cancel your indicator.

Is that ok?

clarke1991

robobobo wrote: »

One of the theory questions was
"On a 3 lane motorway, what are the 3 lanes for?"
I kinda went, "huh" on this one, surely it's just for driving and overtaking right?
Or was it a trick question and one of those lanes is the hard shoulder?


Thanks

the left lane is for people traveling under the speed limit, the middle is for people doing the limit, and the right is for overtaking:cool:. i could be wrong tho?:pac:

Sir Vival

MascotDec85 wrote: »

You should indicate right and be in the right lane (unless there's roadworks or are directed by the Gardai) whenever you are leaving any exit AFTER 12 o'clock.

Remember to signal left just after you pass the exit prior to the one you are taking. Look in your left mirror BEFORE you signal left and again when you have exited the roundabout as you cancel your indicator.

Is that ok?

Thats brillant, many thanks.

MascotDec85

clarke1991 wrote: »

the left lane is for people traveling under the speed limit, the middle is for people doing the limit, and the right is for overtaking:cool:. i could be wrong tho?:pac:

You are wrong. See post 2

MascotDec85

Sir Vival wrote: »

Thats brillant, many thanks.

No worries, best of luck with the test

MagicMarker

clarke1991 wrote: »

the left lane is for people traveling under the speed limit, the middle is for people doing the limit, and the right is for overtaking:cool:. i could be wrong tho?:pac:

And therein lies the problem.:rolleyes:

robobobo

Thanks for all your replies guys, they've really cleared things up a good bit for me.

That one with the three lanes on a motorway, that sounds so simple, it's kind of what I said, but I just felt stupid saying it because it seemed like such an obvious question if you ask me

With regards to that hand signal one, I only knew of 3 in front and 3 behind as well, thats why I was so surprised to get a 4th one for the front..... now unless he was trying to trick me and asked me the same one twice I'm not too sure.

Oh another thing he asked me was when to dip my headlights,

I said the usual, oncoming traffic,when behind cars, but he kept looking for more of them

when else should you?

and those marks I lost turning left, it must have been not doing that final check down the lane and the counter check because I always check my mirrors, indicate, gears, check mirrors turn, I know for certain, it's a habit i've got myself into

Finally for checking tyre pressure, I don't think regularly was the answer he was looking for, perhaps every 2 weeks and a visual inspection each time you get in the car?

Thanks again for all your help guys, it's very much appreciated

MascotDec85

Regularly IS the answer. You could also add before a long journey

**Timbuk2**

robobobo wrote: »

Oh another thing he asked me was when to dip my headlights,

I said the usual, oncoming traffic,when behind cars, but he kept looking for more of them

when else should you?

You would also dip your head-lights when driving in a built-up area.

It sounds like you got hard enough theory questions. I did my test twice, with two different testers, and I got the exact same road signs and theory questions each and every time - I can't remember them now but I think it was the usual suspects - when can you overtake on the left, when can you cross a continuous white line, and I remember for the signs I got clearway, pedestrian zone, and end of motorway.

robobobo

That's what I was thinking as well, I was asked pretty much every single thing, and more!

Same with the roadsigns, asked alot more than I would have thought, about 15 or so

DriveSkill

When asked the 'dipped headlights' question the examiner will generally be looking for 3 of the following :

• Oncoming traffic
• Travelling close behind traffic
• In continously lit areas (i.e. where there are a street lights)
• Between dawn and dusk
• In snow or fog

Best advice is when asked the questions in the oral test try and answer confidently and promptly - if gives a much better impression and gets you off to a good start. Try and avoid any 'umming and ahhhing' :-)

There are a couple of questions where the examiner will expect a few answers such as the dipped headlights, where should you not park etc.

For the road signs ensure you know the Clearway and the Pedestrian Street sign - these are 2 which you cannot guess really unless you know them.

If in any doubt give what you think is the common sense answer - there are no trick questions.

clarke1991

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

H
Lane 1 (the left lane) is the driving lane, and lane 2 and 3 are the overtaking lanes - you use lane 3 to overtake traffic in lane 2, and lane 2 to overtake traffic in lane 1 - remember to never overtake on the left!

MascotDec85 wrote: »

You are wrong. See post 2

MagicMarker wrote: »

And therein lies the problem.:rolleyes:

follow the link :rolleyes: > http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/motorways/on-the-motorway.html

MagicMarker

clarke1991 wrote: »

follow the link :rolleyes: > http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/motorways/on-the-motorway.html

What's with the rolleyes, that link proves that you're wrong! :rolleyes:

MascotDec85

clarke1991 wrote: »

follow the link :rolleyes: > http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/motorways/on-the-motorway.html

What's your point

clarke1991

Lane 2

On a two-lane motorway, use this for overtaking only and move back into lane 1 when you have finished. You may also use this lane to accommodate traffic merging from the left.
On a three-lane motorway, you may stay in this centre lane while there is slower moving traffic in lane 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7cEYeR3HNI

why are the majority of cars driving in the middle lane then?

MascotDec85

clarke1991 wrote: »

Lane 2

On a two-lane motorway, use this for overtaking only and move back into lane 1 when you have finished. You may also use this lane to accommodate traffic merging from the left.
On a three-lane motorway, you may stay in this centre lane while there is slower moving traffic in lane 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7cEYeR3HNI

why are the majority of cars driving in the middle lane then?

Because they are wrong.

I don't see what that's got to do with your earlier post about lane 1 under the speed limit and lane 2 for the speed limit By that reckoning everyone in lane 3 is speeding.


You've not got this right mate

clarke1991

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Because they are wrong.

I don't see what that's got to do with your earlier post about lane 1 under the speed limit and lane 2 for the speed limit By that reckoning everyone in lane 3 is speeding.


You've not got this right mate

yeah but you wont be done for speeding for a little while when over taking? and in my first post i did say 'i could be wrong?'

MascotDec85

Bottom line is that if the road ahead on a motorway is clear than you drive in the left lane.

If you come to traffic and you wish to pass use the next available lane. You should always return to the left lane when possible.

You may then come up with vehicles in lanes 1 & 2 going slower than you. Both should be passed in lane 3. You should then return to lane 1 when it is safe to do so

clarke1991

MagicMarker wrote: »

And therein lies the problem.:rolleyes:

MagicMarker wrote: »

What's with the rolleyes, that link proves that you're wrong! :rolleyes:

clarke1991 wrote: »

the left lane is for people traveling under the speed limit, the middle is for people doing the limit, and the right is for overtaking:cool:. i could be wrong tho?:pac:

whats with your rolley eyes? as above i did say 'i could be wrong?'

MagicMarker

clarke1991 wrote: »

yeah but you wont be done for speeding for a little while when over taking? and in my first post i did say 'i could be wrong?'

Speeding is speeding, it doesn't matter what lane you're in or if you're overtaking, you can still be prosecuted for it.

MascotDec85

clarke1991 wrote: »

yeah but you wont be done for speeding for a little while when over taking? and in my first post i did say 'i could be wrong?'

I don't fancy trying the Gardai out on that one.

You did say you could be wrong. It was the :rolleyes: reply that had us stumped. I don't understand why you posted it tbh

**Timbuk2**

I think people get confused on three-lane motorways because they watch everybody else. The Left lane is the driving lane, so the slower traffic that don't overtake tend to be here - e.g many lorries in the left lane. Some vehicles move into Lane 2 to overtake these lorries and slower vehicles - you can overtake many vehicles at one time on a motorway, you don't have to weave in and out between lanes. Then faster vehicles overtake these vehicles in Lane 3.

If you are in Lane 1 doing 120km/h but there is someone (wrongly) in Lane 3 doing 100km/h, you can't overtake them in Lane 1 or Lane 2 as this would be overtaking on the left, which is illegal (unless in slow-moving queues on a motorway).

Even while overtaking, you shouldn't go over the posted speed limit. There is no oncoming traffic on a motorway, so you can take your time with the overtaking, as long as you don't travel for too long in their blindspot.

Sir Vival

Didn't see the point in starting a new thread for this. Applied for my test a few days ago and was wondering if anyone has a list of possible questions that are asked during the test (i've got the ones on drivingtest.ie printed out already) so i can study. Im also in the process of reading the rules of the road book. I havn't had an lesson with an ADI yet (will start these lessons later in the week) so getting questions there isn't an option yet. Just want to continuing studying.

Thanks