Tips for someone set to take their test in Raheny....?

Squirm

Hi all,

Im due to take my test in 2wks time in Raheny. I think that I am a good driver and that I deserve to pass. I suppose people always say this though!? If I fail I fear it will be because nerves get the better of me. I am going to take 2 pre-tests and a final lesson between now and the Big Day but, I know that there are different routes so was hoping to get a few tips (warnings!) about the 'danger zones' for learner drivers in the general area. I think I know where I will be taken for my hill start but aside from that am at a loss.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who took their test in Raheny and whether they passed or failed and why... and also, any particular areas I should be aware of in advance.

Thanks a million.

biZrb

You won't be tested on a hill start as such. You may stop on a hill in traffic and have to move off correctly.

I took my fourth test in Raheny, I took my 3 previous tests in Finglas. I passed, but just barely. I got really nervous during my tests, just remember to relax, if you get nervous you make mistakes, so take your time and be confident!

All I remember about Raheny was there was quite a few roundabouts near the test centre, so always remember to give people on your right, right of way.

ADIDriving

You will be specificly tested on a hill start, but it is not always a steep hill. You should be able to do a hill start no problems though! Raheny has lots of small, old estates with lots of parked cars. Make sure you look at the road you are about to drive on to, there are lots of hazards 'just around the corner'. Lots of mini roundabouts aswell. They list can go on and on, but these are some of the general highlights.

spurious

They usually do a right hand turn at the big junction in the middle of the village. Watch your speed on the coast road if you're taken there.

Squirm

biZrb wrote: »

All I remember about Raheny was there was quite a few roundabouts near the test centre, so always remember to give people on your right, right of way.

LOL! If I forget to yield to traffic on my right on a roundabout, I deserve to fail!!

ADIDriving wrote: »

You will be specificly tested on a hill start, but it is not always a steep hill. You should be able to do a hill start no problems though! Raheny has lots of small, old estates with lots of parked cars. Make sure you look at the road you are about to drive on to, there are lots of hazards 'just around the corner'. Lots of mini roundabouts aswell. They list can go on and on, but these are some of the general highlights.

Thanks! Hill starts are not an issue, not entirely sure why they are made out to be so difficult.
Will make sure to keep a close eye on hazards and my road positioning on congested roads.

Ah I know that right turn, on to the main street, well. Just yesterday spend a good 3 minutes trying to get out! My test is at 10am, so won't pose as much of a task then. I hope!

Have my pre-test on Friday, so hopefully will have a better indication of what standard of driving is expected...

ADIDriving

The right turn is comming along the Howth road from Dublin turning down onto the main street. Light go green creep forward, but way far over to the right. So that you can see past the queue on the opposite side waiting to turn to their right (very hard to do for anyone). If you are still in the junction when the lights are changing colour, you are to clear the junction.

Gusc

Squirm wrote: »

Hi all,

Im due to take my test in 2wks time in Raheny. I think that I am a good driver and that I deserve to pass. I suppose people always say this though!? If I fail I fear it will be because nerves get the better of me. I am going to take 2 pre-tests and a final lesson between now and the Big Day but, I know that there are different routes so was hoping to get a few tips (warnings!) about the 'danger zones' for learner drivers in the general area. I think I know where I will be taken for my hill start but aside from that am at a loss.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who took their test in Raheny and whether they passed or failed and why... and also, any particular areas I should be aware of in advance.

Thanks a million.

Try and do as many pretests as you can afford, as this will help a lot.
Make sure you get an ADI, He/She will show you any 'danger zones on the route
Best of luck
Gusc

Squirm

I passed!!

Thanks for the tips, especially regarding the right turn off the Howth Rd ADIDriving- cheers.

Was ok in the end. I took two lessons and a pre-test in preperation and it was well worth it. Wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I was brought up the steep hill in the village (the one that you go up, through the junction and the on straight towards the Dart station) and the woman in front of me cut out twice trying to get up it... I like to think it was a little reminder to my examiner that everyone makes mistakes ha ha!

Phew. Glad that's over.

emmiou

Hi Squirm - Congratulations and well done. Can you tell me the route you were taken on? Thanks!

Squirm

emmiou wrote: »

Hi Squirm - Congratulations and well done. Can you tell me the route you were taken on? Thanks!

Well I can tell you roughly what route I was taken on, I wouldn't be over familiar with the area and I find in my lessons (and on the test) I am concentrating so hard that I scarcely notice where i am!!

We started at the railings to the left of the test centre and drove straight ahead and right on to All Saints Drive, left on to Watermill Rd and then left up the hill on Main St. We then went straight ahead up Station Rd and left on to Springdale Rd. We then drove all around Edenmore. Then... somehow... we made our way back to the Howth Rd and turned right on to the Watermill Rd and started heading back towards the test centre via the other end of the All Saint's Rd.

It lasted less than 40mins and the tester was extremely fair. I made a couple of silly little mistakes and he would have been within his rights to give me a fault for them but he obviously saw that they were just slip ups and not areas of my driving where I genuinely was having issues. I was a bit freaked out when I could see his writing on the pad out of the corner of my eye, but I just kept telling myself that he could well just be giving me Grade 1 faults- so no big deal.

I would definitely recommend doing a lesson (not a pre test) immediately before the test. I think you just need an hour to drive around, relax, familiarise yourself with the area etc.

When is your test ans is it your first (or first in Raheny)??

emmiou

Thanks for that, want to practice some routes - I asked for a test date in June but haven't heard back yet. I did my test in raheny about 10 years ago but it was horrible, ended up stuck in traffic trying to get off the Artane roundabout to let an ambulance through, haven't been driving since then but have just started taking a heap of lessons and driving to and from work etc for the last few weeks and hopefully will be ok by June.