Checking blind spots, look over left or right shoulder first?

CMpunked

Hey all.

I attempted my driving test last year but failed. Not horribly, but enough to get me pissed off not to want to do it again until i mustered up the courage to book it again tonight.

But theres a few things which i cant fully remember how to do, such as checking blind spots before pulling off. The instructor i had last year made a point to say "Check the ___ side spot first". But i cant put my finger which side he said?

Also, is there any printable sheets for the road signs/questions they can ask pre test?

DaveyDriving

CMpunked wrote: »

Hey all.

I attempted my driving test last year but failed. Not horribly, but enough to get me pissed off not to want to do it again until i mustered up the courage to book it again tonight.

But theres a few things which i cant fully remember how to do, such as checking blind spots before pulling off. The instructor i had last year made a point to say "Check the ___ side spot first". But i cant put my finger which side he said?

Also, is there any printable sheets for the road signs/questions they can ask pre test?

6 point check starting with left blind spot, left mirror, front window, inside mirror, right mirror and finish with right blind spot.
Also not sure if there is any printable version of questions or roadsigns but there is a full online copy of the rules of the road at www.RSA.ie and any reputable instructor should have a bank of questions they can give to you . Best of luck.

starlit

Think the main ones to look out for is the blind-spot on either side of your right and left shoulders.

Have the image from the rules of the road that shows the six main points of the blind-spot. It be in the RSA rules of the road book and online pdf file too.

**Timbuk2**

DaveyDriving wrote: »

6 point check starting with left blind spot, left mirror, front window, inside mirror, right mirror and finish with right blind spot.

This is what I learned as well, it's easy to remember and effective, but it's important to get an idea of what you are looking for, as opposed to just going through the motion for the sake of the tester.

For example, if you are pulling away from a parked position (e.g. after your pull in). Check the left blind spot, for people that might be stepping off the footpath, or any situations that might develop (people walking towards you, children playing with a ball, car emerging from a driveway), the mirrors will help you ascertain what's going on behind you - are there cars coming up.
After checking your mirrors, signal if it is clear to do so, then check your right blind spot just before you move off.

It is important to check your right blindspot just as you are about to move off. There's no point checking your right blindspot, then putting it in the correct gear and signalling, or something similar, because the information that you see in your right blindspot is 'instantaneous' and constantly changing! From your mirror checking you should have an idea of how things are developing behind you, but keep an eye out for things like cars/cyclists/motorcyclists overtaking you just before you move off, or any other hazards!

With regards to the rules of the road, if you don't have the book, look it up online at www.rotr.ie - there's plenty to go on in there. Know especially the road signs.

Popular questions would include (but are not limited to!) "When can you overtake on the left?", "What does a continuous white line mean, and when can you cross it?", "What is the rule concerning yellow box junctions?", "When should you used dipped headlights", etc.
Most of the questions are straightforward, not unlike what you learn for your theory test (although obviously not multiple choice in this case). The road signs are fairly ok, but keep an eye out for signs that aren't immediately obvious, as they'll tend to ask you those - e.g. clearway, pedestrian zone, Hospital sign (just a white H on a blue background), etc.