An Ould Codger rises from the dust.

richard2010

Ok long story short, failed several times-vented frustration-took a break from the driving test circuit. So I need to be reminded of the procedures and need to get a driving instructor to go over the basics again.
Firstly; new driving instructor- go to Search for driving instructor thread. Grand
Secondly; how long does the test last for?
Thirdly: How many questions are you asked in the theory bit?
Fourthly: The aim of practical test is to assess your driving skills through lefts, rights, reverses and general traffic situations and your reaction and skill towards it?!
Fifthly: When I do pass am I giving the application form for a pink dl there and then or do I source that myself?
Sixthly: I hope to do the test in Finglas- any particular places which people have had difficulty with before.
Finally: Any other hints and or words of wisdom as I would really like to pass the test and not have my parents escort me on every journey, it’s getting embarrassing and they are getting slightly fed up with it too, can’t blame them really!

Cheers in advance!

starlit

• Driving Test lasts roughly 30-40 minutes aprox not more than 45 minutes.
• The theory as part of the driving test bit think its around 10-20 questions not sure as I've yet to sit my driving test. Maybe its less. They will ask you questions on primary and secondary controls of your car anyway. They will ask you questions on road signs and rules of the road in the theory bit fairly simple and straight forward, don't think they will catch you out as they want you to pass.
• Is very much so but you might need to be aware of hazards on the road, observation, judgement, road position, anticipation, keeping within the required speed limit depending on the road. You could be docked marks for not keeping to say 30 mph on a 30 mph zone.
• You get a competency cert it will not qualify you to drive on your own until you fill out the pink form for applying for a full drivers licence as you are still technically on your learners permit. The competency cert you hand in to show and prove you have passed your test and then you will get your full licence whether you get it in the tax office or in the post.
• I'm not from the dublin area but say there are many choices of ADI instructors you could go to in the finglas area or nearby.
• I know how you feel, I'm in the same boat as you depend on being taxied around and rely heavily on public transport which can be a pain sometimes. Best advice I can give you is practice practice practice don't give up. Try not to let the frustration get the better of you like me. Its a confidence thing for me and i'm finding it hard to get over it when I am in a difficult driving sitution. Try not to be nervous. Keep focus and act like the test is just a driving lesson might relax you a bit. Completing a mock test on the day, before sitting your driving test might help as you might be able to practice the area you are doing your driving test and be able to cover most routes before hand and knowing the routes in advance would be a great help as you might have an idea what the flow of traffic is like and where hazards and turns are mostly likely to be. Best of luck OP! Safe Driving.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

richard2010

Cheers for the advice to date! Still havent booked the test yet havent had the ball to but probally should though considering it will be about 4 months before a get a date due to the snow and all that jazz!

ADIDriving

richard2010 wrote: »

Firstly; Yes
Secondly; About 40 minutes. It can last more then 45 if traffic is heavy.
Thirdly: Usually, high teens. They are trialing a new type of question in Finglas. You will be shown a picture, eg; a parked car and a ball on the road, then asked what you would do. There is a section like this in the theory test.
Fourthly: The manouvers have been mentioned. But you have to do the basic very well. It is most important to stop, start, turn left and right as well perfectly.
Fifthly: Sometimes they give you the form, sometimes they don't. You can worry about that one later.
Sixthly: Loads of places. Fingals village, Jamestown business park itself, mini roundabouts, the first turns off the Jamestown road and several roads that bend 90 degrees with minor roads off the bend.
Finally: Drive as best as you can from start to finish. If you are making a mistake, fix it. If you have made a mistake, forget about it.

Ould Codger? I've had people in their 60's come in from Oldtown, Ballyboughil and Swords etc. to pass their test in Finglas.