I want to get the full license

pixeldesign

Hi guys!Its been 5 months since i got the provisional license, and i want to make an appointment for driving test for next month, and i have some questions:
Where can i book the driving test?
Can i choose the date i want to do the test, because i heard that they will send me an email with the date?
Can i do the test with my own car?

Thank you!

**Timbuk2**

pixeldesign wrote: »

Where can i book the driving test?
Can i choose the date i want to do the test, because i heard that they will send me an email with the date?
Can i do the test with my own car?
Thank you!

You book it at www.rsa.ie - you will need a form of payment, i.e. laser, credit card, etc.

You can only choose the date in Finglas, Tallaght, Cork, Raheny and Churchtown (as far as I know!). Otherwise, you get the date by e-mail/post. You can always defer a test if it comes too soon or at an awkward time - this will result in your test being about 3 weeks later than originally scheduled.

You can do the test in any car you want provided you are insured on it, and it is roadworth - i.e. it has the proper tax paid, NCT, roadworthy tires, etc.

pixeldesign

Thank you!I have another question for you.Im not very sure, but if i there is a cyclist, a parked card on the road or if someone signals to turn right or left, do i have to signal if i want to overtake them?I just forgot to ask the instructor.

**Timbuk2**

In general I would signal to let other people know you're intentions. If you are approaching a bicycle, parked car, etc., stay behind it until it is safe to overtake. Then check mirrors, signal right and overtake. You don't need to signal back in to the left - it is usually obvious that you will move in after overtaking.

If you are overtaking a car that's turning right on the left, then it's up to you whether you want to signal left or not. Make sure that there is clearance to your left before doing it - such as no cyclists in the cycle lane.

However, do not signal if it is not clear what you are signalling about. For example, if a car ahead is turning right and you want to overtake it on the left (to go straight on), there may be a crossroads and thus you signalling left may look like you intend to go left. Similarly, be careful about overtaking parked cars coming up to a right turn. Ask yourself if you could possibly confuse cars by signalling.

If a car is signalling to turn left, as you mentioned in your post, do not overtake them. Stay behind and let them finish their turn.

mcw92

Hey, Ive had my Prov License since 6th June, so the 6 months isnt up until 6th Dec. But can i still apply for my test now(6 months not done), seeing as it will probably be December before i even get one?

UpTheSlashers

mcw92 wrote: »

Hey, Ive had my Prov License since 6th June, so the 6 months isnt up until 6th Dec. But can i still apply for my test now(6 months not done), seeing as it will probably be December before i even get one?

Ya you can but theres always the risk of getting a date before the 6th december and having to waste a cancellation, or worst case scenario: using all your cancellations and forfeiting your €75.

**Timbuk2**

mcw92 wrote: »

Hey, Ive had my Prov License since 6th June, so the 6 months isnt up until 6th Dec. But can i still apply for my test now(6 months not done), seeing as it will probably be December before i even get one?

I was in the same scenario as you. Yes you can apply. When booking, there is a page where you can set your unavailability. I set myself as 'unavailable' from the date that I booked my test, up until the day that I had my LP for 6 months. This seemed to work.

pixeldesign

I tried to book my test, I completed all fields, I clicked continue to pay, and then I close the laptop by mistake.Now when I try to send again the details it says that an application for that category is already open.. now I can't even apply again, or to pay the last application.Anyone knows what could i do?Thank you!

Faith+1

pixeldesign wrote: »

I tried to book my test, I completed all fields, I clicked continue to pay, and then I close the laptop by mistake.Now when I try to send again the details it says that an application for that category is already open.. now I can't even apply again, or to pay the last application.Anyone knows what could i do?Thank you!

Give the RSA a call on 1890 40 60 40

Explain to them what happened an they should be able to short you out!:)

PS- For future reference don't close your Laptop when inputing information

**Timbuk2**

pixeldesign wrote: »

I tried to book my test, I completed all fields, I clicked continue to pay, and then I close the laptop by mistake.Now when I try to send again the details it says that an application for that category is already open.. now I can't even apply again, or to pay the last application.Anyone knows what could i do?Thank you!

If you wait a few hours, your application should clear from the system and you can try again.

Alternatively, and probably preferably, call them as above!

weemulli

Yea the same thing happened me with the website, just leave it for a while and come back to it and it should be clear to apply :)

pixeldesign

Great!It worked .Thank you!

LighterGuy

Hope its ok if I hijack this thread (saves making a new one as some of the questions i wanted to ask were asked by pixeldesgin :P

but i have heard that a test can take up to 3 months from the day of making, to the day of doing it. Is this true?

**Timbuk2**

LighterGuy wrote: »

Hope its ok if I hijack this thread (saves making a new one as some of the questions i wanted to ask were asked by pixeldesgin :P

but i have heard that a test can take up to 3 months from the day of making, to the day of doing it. Is this true?

That's how long it took mine when I applied at the beginning of 2010. Shorter waiting times have been reported since, I think.

pixeldesign

Well, when i ordered my test, after i paid, i got a window where to select the date i want to do the test.You`ll see a calendar with available dates, you can also choose when you cant take the test, or you can just select the area where you want to take the test and wait.There is also an option you thick if you want to take the test if someone cancels his test.There are few places available for next month in Rathgar( i have mine on 23rd november).

pixeldesign

Do we have to signal left/right when reversing around a corner?Also can we take the seat belt off while reversing around a corner?

Faith+1

pixeldesign wrote: »

Do we have to signal left/right when reversing around a corner?Also can we take the seat belt off while reversing around a corner?

When I did my lessons a few years back my instructor said you can indicate left for left side turns and right for right side turns.

I have heard that some instrutors say you should use your hazard lights but it really is at the discrection of the instructor.

Yes, you can take your seat belt off for reversing but I wouldn't recommend it.

pixeldesign

Thank you!I have my test in Rathgar.Anyone did the test in that area?Any suggestions or something?Is it hard?

Snap2010

You can book it online on RSA.ie or over the phone.
I'm not sure about picking the date but you can state the dates you don't want it on.
Yes, you can do it in your own car

loobylou

pixeldesign wrote: »

Do we have to signal left/right when reversing around a corner?Also can we take the seat belt off while reversing around a corner?

You should NOT signal (by way of indicator) for the left reverse.
You will not be asked to do a right reverse, unless you are doing the test in a van without a rearview mirror.

**Timbuk2**

You don't need to signal doing the reverse, nor should you. Your reversing lights are enough signal by themselves. Keep in mind, however, that a reversing vehicle has no right of way. You must yield to all other cars, and if necessary, move back to the start position to allow them to make progress!

pixeldesign

Thank you all for your responses.I booked my test in rathgar, and i chose the date myself.Is in 2 weeks time.

**Timbuk2**

pixeldesign wrote: »

Thank you all for your responses.I booked my test in rathgar, and i chose the date myself.Is in 2 weeks time.

Best of luck with it! Let us know how you get on!

pixeldesign

If i want to turn left at a junction and the lane im driving on is going only left(the arrow on the road points to left but not straight) do i still have to signal?Will i get marked if i do/do not signal ?When i was driving i saw that some drivers signal and some doesn`t.I usually signal just to make sure the other drivers know what im going to do.

**Timbuk2**

It depends on the circumstances.

Are you in a left-turning lane, or does the road only go left (and nowhere else, you have no choice but to turn left)? If you are just in a left turning lane, but there are other lanes for straight on or right, then signal left.

If you have to go left, there isn't much reason to signal - where else could you go? Remember, signals are only there to benefit other drivers.

In Dundalk, there's a junction with two lanes, but both of them go left onto a T-Road (the left left lane is for turning left and then continuing straight on, and the right left lane is for turning left and then turning right immediately after). In this case I never signal left - it doesn't benefit other traffic (and I didn't signal here in my test and wasted faulted). In fact, if I was in the right left lane (it sounds confusing!) and signalled left, it could confuse other traffic by making them think I am trying to change lane.

Ask your ADI if you're unsure as he/she can advise you on local conditions. However, if you're still confused - if in doubt signal, provided that you don't give a misleading signal (e.g. traffic thinking that you are pulling over instead of turning left).

Edit: Google Streetview of the junction in Dundalk. There's no need to signal in this case.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.999016,-6.404986&spn=0,0.027595&z=15&layer=c&cbll=53.999032,-6.405424&panoid=JoVgGvJoco9NzmwBmeI8Xw&cbp=12,257.36,,0,6.12

Edit 2: Another Google Streetview map of a junction in Dundalk (by chance, there are 1000s of junctions like this in Ireland) with a separate left-turning lane but where it is appropriate to signal
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&layer=c&cbll=53.979056,-6.393078&panoid=aT3mnwfqrl4RirFTU1XrVw&cbp=12,358.08,,0,14.14&ll=53.979056,-6.393078&spn=0,0.027595&z=15

Faith+1

pixeldesign wrote: »

If i want to turn left at a junction and the lane im driving on is going only left(the arrow on the road points to left but not straight) do i still have to signal?Will i get marked if i do/do not signal ?When i was driving i saw that some drivers signal and some doesn`t.I usually signal just to make sure the other drivers know what im going to do.

Personally I'd signal. It shows due consideration for other road users and the Examiner will see that you used your own initiative during the test.
I can't see a reason why they'd mark this as fault.

pixeldesign

Thanks again guys.I'll see next week how will I do in the test.I just saw that rathgar has the lowest passing rate which is 30% and I'm even more nervous now ;D

**Timbuk2**

I wouldn't be too interested in the overall pass rates - they mean nothing to the individual.

If you are fully prepared for your test, you will pass no matter where you do the test, and no matter who your tester is.

Best of luck with it! Feel free to ask any more questions if you are unsure of anything!

magochre

Hi Pixeldesign,

I recently passed on my second attempt in Rathgar, I followed slightly different routes each time and on the last I wasn't asked to do a hill start. It was 8.30 in the morning and rush hour so I spent a fair bit of the time moving slowly and stopping in first grear in lines of traffic. Maybe there was no time left or he felt I'd shown I could feel the bite adequately as I'd so many opportunities!

One suggestion, when you are leaving the test centre you have to cross the pavement just outside the gate so move out slowly and check right and left for pedestrians.

My experience of the examiners was very good. Even the guy who failed me first time was very kind and made me feel as comfortable as possible. I was more nervous second time round yet still passed so if you get the practice in and feel comfortable with the car and all the 'manooovers' they seem to make allowances for nerves once you don't do anything potentially hazardous.

Wishing you the very best of luck

pixeldesign

Thank you!Great to hear someone passed in Rathgar as i was a bit nervous.I`ll go tomorrow again around the test centre to see how are the roads.Is been 6 months since i got the provisional, but i drove 25 out of 30 days a month, at least 2 hours a day.I took 10 lessons with Aviva, and i think i drive good enough.I hope i`ll take the license as i dont want to keep my mum all the time with me.

**Timbuk2**

Sounds like you've got plenty of practice in anyway!

Could I suggest maybe taking a lesson or two before your test? Helps to ease nerves, and iron out mistakes that you are making. You have only been driving for 6 months so it is very easy to start making mistakes, or bad habits, but luckily very easy to remedy them!

This may sound odd, but try and go with a different ADI for the next lesson or two. They may notice mistakes that the first one didn't, and whatnot. Always helps to get a second opinion. Worked wonders with me! (Failed first time, got two more lessons with a different instructor, then passed a few weeks later with no grade twos or threes, just by ironing out simple things!)

pixeldesign

Does anyone have a picture with the testing centre from rathgar?I was today there, but i cant find the building.Typed on my GPS 75 Orwell Road but i cant find the house number.

loobylou

http://maps.google.ie/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Orwell+Road,+Dublin&sll=53.401034,-8.307638&sspn=6.356003,19.753418&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Orwell+Rd,+Dublin,+County+Dublin&ll=53.307621,-6.270318&spn=0.012437,0.038581&z=15&layer=c&cbll=53.307749,-6.270424&panoid=pXMwF-OzdAflcZetKBbyCQ&cbp=12,29.68,,0,5

magochre

The driving test centre is in the same building as Marianella. When you are driving down Orwell Road, with Rathgar village behind you, you will see a long grey wall on your left with a two large gates each end of it, the entrance to the driving test centre is the second gate (the first is to Marianella even though they are alongside each other in the building inside). Best of luck.

pixeldesign

Thank you!I went today again and i found it .